Virginia Sweet Potato-Pecan Pie

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups milk, scalded
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 unbaked (9-inch) pastry shell
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans
• Whipped cream (optional)

Preparation

1. Combine sweet potatoes, 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and milk; mix well. Cook until thoroughly heated. Gradually stir about one-fourth of hot mixture into eggs; add to remaining hot mixture, stirring constantly. Spoon into pastry shell. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Remove from oven.
2. Cream butter and 1/2 cup sugar; stir in pecans. Sprinkle pecan mixture over pie; continue baking 45 minutes. Cool. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.