Step 1

Scrub, dry, and prick sweet potatoes with a fork.  Place on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour at 425 degrees or until fork tender turning the sheet halfway through the baking process. Let cool long enough to handle easily.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 3

Scoop sweet potatoes out of the skin with a spoon and place them in a large bowl. Add sugar, beaten eggs, salt, butter, evaporated milk, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.  Mix well with a potato masher or on low with an electric mixer. Spread the mixture in the greased baking dish.

Step 4

In a medium bowl combine brown sugar and flour.  Using a pastry knife cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbled.  Stir in pecans; sprinkle mixture over sweet potatoes.  Bake for 30 minutes;  turn the broiler on low for the last 1 1/2-2 minutes of baking just to lightly brown the top.