2 ½lbssweet potatoespeeled and cut into 1-inch cubes - about 6-8 medium-sized sweet potatoes
¾cuplight brown sugarpacked
4tablespoonsunsalted butterhalf of one stick or ¼ cup softened
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1-½teaspoonpumpkin pie spice
pinchsalt
½cuppecans or walnutschopped, divided (optional)
2cupsmini marshmallows
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F.
Butter a casserole dish then set aside.
In a pot, add the water and the sweet potatoes.
2 ½ lbs sweet potatoes
Bring the sweet potatoes to a boil, then cover.
Note: you do NOT have to cover the sweet potatoes in water. As long as you keep the cover on, the water will steam the potatoes, and will be fork tender in no time!
Simmer the potatoes with the cover on for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender enough to mash.
Drain the potatoes and allow them to cool slightly.
Add the butter to a large bowl. (I like to use my mixer and the paddle attachment to mash the potatoes and mix all the ingredients together. However, you can mash them by hand with a potato masher or hand mixer if you like.)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Add the sweet potatoes to the bowl. The warmth from the potatoes will help melt the butter.
Add the brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and ¼ of the chopped nuts. Reserve the rest of the nuts for later.
¾ cup light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1-½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, pinch salt
Mix all the ingredients together until the potatoes reach your desired consistency.
Spoon the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. If you are making this ahead of time, STOP here and see the make-ahead instructions below.
Top the sweet potatoes with the remaining chopped nuts and mini marshmallows.
½ cup pecans or walnuts, 2 cups mini marshmallows
Bake for 15 minutes or until the mini marshmallows are toasted.
Notes
If the mashed sweet potato mixture is too thick, add a little bit of heavy cream, milk, or orange juice to thin them out.