Sweet Potato Casserole

• Recipe by Edna Lewis and Scott Peacock

Ingredients

SWEET POTATOES

1. 5 pounds sweet potatoes (about 10)
2. 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
3. 2/3 cup granulated sugar
4. 1/2 cup light brown sugar
5. 1/2 cup honey
6. 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
7. 1 3/4 teaspoons salt
8. 3/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
9. 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
10. 2 1/2 cups hot milk

TOPPING

1. 1 cup all-purpose flour
2. 1 cup light brown sugar
3. 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
4. 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
5. 1/4 teaspoon salt
6. 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 -inch dice and chilled
7. 1 cup (4 ounces) coarsely chopped pecans

Directions

1. make the sweet potatoes: Preheat the oven to 350°. Spread the sweet potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for about 1 1/2 hours, or until tender. Let cool slightly, about 10 minutes, then peel.
2. In a large bowl, beat the hot sweet potatoes on low speed. Beat in the butter. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, honey, vanilla, salt and nutmeg and beat until blended. Add the eggs and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the hot milk. 
3. Preheat the oven to 375°. Butter a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking dish and pour in the sweet potatoes; spread in an even layer. 
4. make the topping: In a bowl, rub together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Add the butter and rub or cut it in until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in the pecans. 
5. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the potatoes and bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, until the topping is golden brown and crisp. If the topping browns too quickly around the edge before the center is crisped, cut a large hole in the center of a sheet of foil and rest it on the dish while it finishes baking. Serve hot.

Make Ahead

The pureed sweet potato mixture and the topping can be refrigerated separately for up to 1 day. Bring to room temperature before proceeding.