Rinse yams and add to a medium pot. Add water and cover top of yams.
Boil potatoes for about 15 minutes. Scoop out yams and place into a buttered 9x9 or 9x13 baking dish.
On top of the yams, add butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground clove, salt, sugar, and vanilla extract.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Take candied yams out of oven and carefully stir around to allow seasonings to mingle. Recover and bake for another 10 minutes. Insert a fork to ensure potatoes are done.