MASHED SWEET POTATOES WITH SUGAR AND PECANS

MASHED SWEET POTATOES WITH SUGAR AND PECANS image

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 c (packed) golden brown sugar
1/2 c chopped pecans (about 2 oz)
1/4 c (1/2 stick) chilled butter, cut into 1/4" pieces
5 lbs red-skinned sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2" pieces
4 large eggs
3 T pure maple syrup
2 T vanilla extract
1 T lemon juice
2 t salt

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350. Butter a 13x9" baking dish. Mix sugar, pecans, and butter in small bowl. Cover and chill until ready to use. (Can be made 2 days ahead). Cook sweet potatoes in large pot of boiling water until very tender (about 12 minutes). Drain, let stand in colander for 15 minutes. Puree in processor. Beat eggs, syrup, vanilla, lemon juice, and salt in large bowl. Mix in pureed sweet potatoes. Transfer potato mixture to prepared dish. Sprinkle on pecan topping. Bake until potato mixture is set and topping bubbles, about 1 hour. Let stand 15 minutes then serve.