Brandied Candied Yams (Recipe)

Ingredients

1 40-ounce can small whole yams or sweet potatoes, drained, or 5 to 6 (about 2 1/2 pounds) fresh yams or sweet potatoes, cooked

1/2 cup packed browned sugar

1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

3 tablespoons brandy

2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate

2 tablespoons water

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs, slightly beaten

Topping:

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon ground cardamon or ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons cold butter or margarine

1/4 cup chopped pecans

Steps

1.  Preheat the oven to 350°.

2.  In a large mixing bowl, beat the yams or sweet potatoes with an electric mixer on medium speed about 4 minutes or until they are well mashed.

3.  Add the 1/2 cup brown sugar, the melted butter or margarine, brandy, orange juice concentrate, water, vanilla and salt.  Beat until combined.  Add the slightly beaten eggs and beat until smooth.

4.  Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart rectangular baking dish.

5.  To make the topping: In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup brown sugar, flour and cardamon or cinnamon.  Using a pastry blender, cut in the cold butter or margarine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Stir in the pecans.

6.  Sprinkle the topping over the yam or sweet potato mixture.  Bake in the 350° oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until the yams or sweet potatoes are heated through and the topping is crisp.

Tips:

To cook fresh yams or sweet potatoes: Wash and peel 5 to 6 yams or sweet potatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds).  Cut off the woody portions and ends and discard.  Then cut the yams or sweet potatoes into quarters or cubes.  Cook, covered, in enough boiling, salted water to cover for 25 to 35 minutes or until tender.

The casserole can be assembled, covered and refrigerated up to 48 hours before baking.  When taken directly from the refrigerator bake in a 350° oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until the yams or sweet potatoes are heated through.

If desired, divide the yam mixture or sweet potato mixture among eight individual casserole dishes.  Sprinkle on the topping and bake in a 350° oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through.

From : America's Best-Loved Community Recipes