Sweet Potato Casserole

This doesn't have sweet potatoes in it. 

It has yams. 

But somehow, 'yam casserole' doesn't sound as appetizing. The word 'casserole' doesn't really do it justice either.  It's more like a dessert.  I liken it to having breakfast for dinner.  It's fun having pancakes and bacon and syrup at night.  It makes me feel adventurous.  Just like it's fun calling something a casserole that's really more of a tasty treat. So sneaky! 

My mother's sister-in-law gave her this recipe and she passed it on to me yesterday because I needed to make a side dish for our annual Thanksgiving dinner at church.

My dish was placed on the pot luck table right next to the cranberries, but after the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy.  At first pass, I noticed no one was taking any of my casserole.  'Oh no,' I thought to myself.  'There's no way I'm taking that home with me.'  I'd made a double batch.  Fortunately, by the time I got to them in line, half of them were gone and when it was time to leave. the bottom of the pan had been scraped.  Whew! 

Many people commented about how much they liked them.  Here are some examples:
'I don't even like yams and I liked that.'
'I wish those weren't so good, I had three helpings.'
'Awww, they're gone!'

Don't take it from me, folks.  Well...do take it from me, but also take it from the people who ate some last night.  This is a good one!  I know I'm cutting it close, but it turned out so well, I felt compelled to post it in case anyone was looking for some last minute inspiration for this Thursday. 

Unfortunately, photos were kind of an after thought.  Sorry for that!  It isn't really a fancy looking dish anyhow.  Imagine a pumpkin pie filling topped with a crumble topping. 

Sweet Potato Casserole

3 cups cooked, mashed yams
3/4 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 stick melted butter
2 eggs beaten
1-2 teaspoons cinnamon
1-2 teaspoons cloves

Mix all ingredients together and spread evenly in a greased 9 by 13 baking dish. 
Spread the topping (below) over the yam mixture and bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-40 minutes.

Topping

Mix together:
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup flour
1 cup chopped nuts