Step 1

Preheat oven to 450°.Toss potatoes with oil until lightly coated; season with salt and pepper.Roast on 2 parchment-lined baking sheets in preheated oven until edges are browned and potatoes are fork-tender (about 20 min.)

Step 2

turning once.Remove potatoes from oven; reduce temperature to 350°.In a large mixing bowl

Step 3

use a potato masher to mash potatoes with syrup and hot water; stir until syrup is well combined but potatoes are still a little chunky.Transfer potato mixture to a 2 qt. baking dish sprayed lightly with cooking spray; sprinkle evenly with pecans.Bake

Step 4

loosely covered with foil

Step 5

for 25 min.Remove foil; continue cooking until top is lightly browned (10-15 min. more).Let stand for 10-15 min. before serving.