Step 1

Slice sweet potatoes in half, brush with butter, and bake at 350F until tender - or drain canned yams.

Step 2

Remove the peels and add the cooked sweet potatoes to the bowl of your mixer and blend until smooth.

Step 3

Add the remaining ingredients, except topping, and whip until well blended and fluffy.

Step 4

Taste and adjust seasonings.

Step 5

Spoon into a greased casserole dish.

Step 6

Sprinkle with the pecan topping.

Step 7

Bake at 375 for 30 minutes.

Step 8

Melt butter in a heavy saucepan.

Step 9

Add the chopped pecans and brown sugar.

Step 10

Cook, stirring often, until the pecans are well coated.

Step 11

Spoon the topping over the yam mixture.