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F OR THE CANDIED NUTS 2 cups roughly chopped pecans 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 2 tablespoons Alaga Original Cane Syrup 1 tablespoon brown sugar, light or dark Pinch of salt Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large pot, boil whole sweet potatoes in the skin for about 45 minutes, or until a fork easily pierces through the potato. Remove potatoes to a colander and run cold water over the potatoes. When cool enough to handle, remove the skin from the sweet po- tatoes and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk butter, syrup, brown sugar, and eggs until well blended. Add the sweet potatoes and remaining ingredients and stir until well blended. I like to use a hand-mixer or electric mixer with the whisk attachment to make sure it is as puréed as possi- ble for a smoother pie. Pour into prepared crust (recipe below). Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack. Allow the pie to completely cool. Once the pie is cool, slice and plate. Serve with a dollop of luscious cream cheese whipped cream and sprinkle with candied nuts. F OR THE H OMEMADE P IE C RUST In a large bowl, add flour and salt. Cut in butter and Crisco with a pastry blender until the flour mixture re- sembles small peas. Add the cold water a tablespoon at the time continuing to blend with the pastry blender. Bring mixture together with your hands and shape into a ball. Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. If you are using a processor, place flour and salt into food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse to mix. Dice butter. Add diced butter and cold shortening to the processor. Add ice water to the mixture down the feed tube with machine running. Pulse machine until dough forms a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and re- frigerate 30 minutes. When you are ready to make the pie, cut the dough in half. Roll one piece of the dough onto a floured sur- face into a 14-inch circle. Fold the dough in half and place crust into a 9-inch pie plate. Brush the edges with whipping cream. F OR THE L USCIOUS C REAM C HEESE W HIPPED C REAM In a large bowl (or heavy duty electric mixer with whisk attachment), mix all ingredients until soft peaks form. Cover and chill for at least 20 minutes. 14 AL/ Metro360 www.almetro360.com