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Whipped Garnet Yams with a Pecan Praline Crust

From the book The Christmas Table by Diane Morgan

Serves

8 to 10

Introduction

Candied yams are traditional on the Thanksgiving table, but this winter root vegetable is a colorful and welcome addition to the Christmas table, too. For years, I have taught Thanksgiving classes around the country, and every time I demonstrate this recipe and the students sample the dish, they tell me these yams are the best they have ever tasted.

They are lightened with eggs and enriched with butter and brown sugar. But the praline crust is what makes this casserole divine. Hot from the oven, the meltingly lush topping is bubbly in the center and browned to a caramelized sugary-crisp at the edges.

If time permits, you can make the whipped yams and the topping a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate them separately. Remove the yams and topping an hour before you plan to bake the casserole. Warm the topping and spread it over the yams just before baking.

Ingredients

Yams

	6	large garnet yams (about 5½ pounds total), scrubbed
	¾	cup milk
	½	cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
	3	large eggs, lightly beaten
	¾	cup packed dark-brown sugar

Topping

	4	Tbsp. (½ stick) unsalted butter
	¾	cup packed dark-brown sugar
	½	tsp. kosher or sea salt
	½	tsp. ground cinnamon
	½	tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
	¾	cup heavy (whipping) cream
	1½	cups coarsely chopped pecans
	2	tsp. pure vanilla extract

Steps

Position a rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Pierce each yam several times with a fork and place them in a baking pan. Bake the yams until very tender when pierced with a fork, 1¼ to 1½ hours. Set aside until cool enough to handle.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat the milk and butter until the butter has melted and the mixture is hot but not boiling. Cut the yams in half, scoop the flesh into a large bowl, and discard the skins. Pass the yams through a ricer or food mill held over a bowl, or mash with a potato masher. Stir the milk mixture into the yams. Whisk in the eggs and continue whisking until well combined with the yam mixture. Add the brown sugar and stir until thoroughly blended.
Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan, or an 11-inch round oven-to-table casserole dish. Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly in the casserole. Set aside while making the topping. Increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees.
To make the praline topping, melt the butter in a 2-quart saucepan over low heat. Stir in the brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cream, and pecans. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is thick, about 5 minutes. If the mixture begins to boil and splatter, turn down the heat to maintain a simmer. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour the topping over the sweet potatoes and spread in an even layer with a rubber spatula.
Bake until the topping is slightly crusty and set, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately directly from the dish.

This content is from the book The Christmas Table by Diane Morgan.

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There are 42 comments on this item

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Average Rating 5

33% recommend this recipe

1. by starsmom on Nov 7, 2008 at 11:58 AM PST

the topping is what will make this dish unique......sounds luscious, and I would definitely like to try it!

2. by Jessnik79 on Nov 7, 2008 at 12:21 PM PST

My mouth waters reading the recipe. This dish will be at my holiday meal. YUM!

3. by Maggie M on Nov 7, 2008 at 8:37 PM PST

This is a wonderful change from the usual yam casserole! The topping sounds wonderful. I’m going to try this dish for Thanksgiving!

4. by clc408 on Nov 8, 2008 at 3:27 AM PST

This surely trumps those awful marshmallow topped casseroles that too many people serve. This is something my family would enjoy.

5. by HollenAngi on Nov 8, 2008 at 3:29 AM PST

This recipe sounds wonderful. I am definitely making it for my Christmas feast.

6. by Trish on Nov 8, 2008 at 5:55 AM PST

This recipe sounds absolutely delicious! I have already printed it out and plan on making it for Thanksgiving.

7. by jashelep on Nov 8, 2008 at 6:24 AM PST

This recipe sounds wonderful. Definitely going on my holiday menu!

8. by Monique B. on Nov 8, 2008 at 6:39 AM PST

I have been dreaming of sweet potatoes and yams all summer long. I just love these healthy root veggies. This recipe sounds absolutely delicious and pretty easy to make. I am definitely printing it out to give it a try. I’d love this cookbook since this year my husband wants to have the whole family here for the holidays.

9. by Patty Hasbargen on Nov 8, 2008 at 7:44 AM PST

Think Holidays

10. by rosewx12 on Nov 8, 2008 at 8:32 AM PST

Oh yum! The best part of pumpkin pie with the best part of pecan pie. Bookmarking for Tday!

11. by Lisa on Nov 8, 2008 at 9:00 AM PST

Wow it’s only breakfast time here and this sounds so yummy. I
ll be thinking of it all day!

12. by soaplady on Nov 8, 2008 at 11:14 AM PST

This is one veggie my picky teen actually loves. I can’t wait to try this recipe. Thanks!

13. by Sharon S on Nov 8, 2008 at 12:24 PM PST

I’ve never served yams because I’m not a big fan of them, however I can’t wait to try this receipe. It sounds so yummy!

14. by drala625 on Nov 8, 2008 at 5:39 PM PST

I make my sweet potatoes with apples and walnuts with cinnamon sugar.

15. by fangirl on Nov 8, 2008 at 5:40 PM PST

The praline topping sounds wonderful. It sounds easy.

16. by Sandra S, on Nov 8, 2008 at 7:30 PM PST

This sounds wonderful. I like the fact that you can make a day in advance.

17. by Casey Becher on Nov 8, 2008 at 8:04 PM PST

Yum! This sounds great!!

18. by Cheryl on Nov 8, 2008 at 8:25 PM PST

Sounds devine

19. by aleach61 on Nov 9, 2008 at 3:23 AM PST

I am always looking for new ways to serve Yams for Thanksgiving and this recipe sounds yummy!

20. by anonymous on Nov 9, 2008 at 5:18 AM PST

Sounds yummy - my husband would really love the crust!

21. by mariana on Nov 9, 2008 at 8:00 AM PST

I love yams!! I wish the rest of my family did too but they are very finicky!!

22. by sharon on Nov 9, 2008 at 12:36 PM PST

Sounds like a delicious upscale to a traditional favorite!

23. by lfosses on Nov 9, 2008 at 12:37 PM PST

sounds delicious

24. by LeighAnn on Nov 9, 2008 at 12:52 PM PST

This certainly beats the typical holiday sweet potato dish topped by marshmallows.

25. by joanne117 on Nov 9, 2008 at 2:41 PM PST

I’m going to try this for Thanksgiving. Sounds wonderful.

26. by Tonya Froemel on Nov 9, 2008 at 2:55 PM PST

This recipe sounds yummy. I love that you could make it the day before if needed.

27. by Colengal on Nov 9, 2008 at 8:21 PM PST

Garnet Yams are a delicate, sweeter version of the ones we are used to in the grocery store. If you can find them they are a must. They truly are ‘jewels’ for your table

28. by Natalie on Nov 9, 2008 at 8:55 PM PST

These look delicious. I’m hosting Thanksgiving this year for my family and my husbands family and I hoping desperately not to screw it up. I definately need this book!

29. by Bakersdozen on Nov 9, 2008 at 9:22 PM PST

I love yams, but my husband hates them and I am always trying to find recipes for him to change his mind. I will definitely consider trying this one out.

30. by honeythewonder on Nov 9, 2008 at 10:42 PM PST

This looks amazing and i can’t wait for Thanksgiving. I’m trying it tomorrow and then I’ll make another one for the holiday. That praline crust is calling me. Thanks for the recipe!

31. by Atreau on Nov 10, 2008 at 12:06 AM PST

This sounds wonderful!

32. by samanthapayntr on Nov 10, 2008 at 12:34 AM PST

i looove yams, a new recipe for me to use them in, this one sounds great!

33. by pancak on Nov 10, 2008 at 4:29 AM PST

I love yams, and this recipe looks relatively easy to prepare. The praline crust would be a sweet, tasty bonus!

34. by Heather B on Nov 10, 2008 at 4:51 AM PST

Eating your vegetables certainly wouldn’t be a chore with this delicious sounding recipe. Definitely a must try.

35. by Lori on Nov 10, 2008 at 5:31 AM PST

I never ate yams before but now there are so many good ideas.... and they’re so naturally sweet! Thanks for another great idea!

36. by choochoo on Nov 10, 2008 at 6:09 AM PST

We love yams around here. I assume that if we have this, we won’t have room for dessert! Sounds delish!

37. by lilyk on Nov 10, 2008 at 7:48 AM PST

This sounds like a very yummy recipe!

38. by Helen Griffin on Nov 10, 2008 at 8:57 AM PST

This recipe sounds wonderful! It will definitely be on or family table for Christmas!

39. by Caroline on Nov 10, 2008 at 10:52 AM PST

This looks delicious! Yams aren’t usually part of our holiday dinners, but this makes me want to try it.

40. by R Jay on Nov 10, 2008 at 11:11 AM PST

Uusually, I am lucky if I get the yams out of the skins and mashed up with a little butter and Maple Syrup.

The great make ahead directions inspire me to make life easier for myself and do these ahead this year.

41. by Morgan T. on Nov 10, 2008 at 2:19 PM PST

I will most definitely be making this to take to my in-laws this Thanksgiving! It sounds absolutely delicious!

Thanx for the awesome recipe and the great contest!!!

42. by artmarcia on Nov 10, 2008 at 3:36 PM PST

I’m going to make this for Thanksgiving also!

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