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Thanksgiving: Praline Sweet Potato Casserole

Source of Recipe


From "The Thanksgiving Table" by Diane Morgan



List of Ingredients



• 6 large orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (about 5½ pounds), scrubbed
  
• ¾ cup milk
  
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
  
• ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
  
• .
  
• Praline Topping:
  
• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
  
• ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
  
• ½ tsp salt
  
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  
• ½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  
• ¾ cup heavy cream
  
• 1½ cups pecans, coarsely chopped
  
• 2 tsp vanilla
  






Instructions



1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Pierce each potato several times with a fork and place in a baking pan. Bake until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, 1¼ to 1½ hours. Set aside until cool enough to handle.
   
   
2. In a small saucepan, heat the milk and butter until the butter has melted and the mixture is hot but not boiling. Cut the potatoes in half and scoop the flesh into a large bowl, discarding the skins. Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes. Stir the milk mixture into the potatoes. Whisk in the eggs and continue whisking until well combined with the potato mixture. Add the brown sugar and stir until thoroughly blended.
   
   
3. Butter a 9- x 13-inch baking pan, or an 11-inch round oven-to-table casserole. Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly in the casserole. Set aside while making the topping. Increase the oven temperature to 375°F.
   
   
4. To make the praline topping:
   Melt the butter in a 2-quart saucepan over low heat. Stir in the brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cream, and pecans. Heat to a simmer and cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is thick, about 5 minutes. If the mixture begins to boil and splatter, turn down the heat to maintain a simmer. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour the topping evenly over the sweet potatoes, spreading it with a rubber spatula.
   
   
5. Bake the casserole until the topping is slightly crusty and set, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
   
   Serves 8 to 10