Cary's Sweet Potato Casserole

Church cookbooks are one of the greatest places to find excellent recipes -- family favorites that are tried and true for generations. Ascension's Cooking Secrets from the Church of the Ascension in Norfolk, Va., is chock full of fantastic recipes. Basically, you can open the book to any page, make that recipe and be happy. The church is full of amazing cooks, including Cary Cross. Her offerings are throughout the book -- -main dishes, dips, soups, desserts and casseroles. I was honored when she suggested I share her sweet potato casserole, after seeing one I recently posted. Everything Cary makes is great, so consider this one for Thanksgiving.

Cary's Sweet Potato Casserole

4 sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup milk
Mix all the ingredients together and place in a greased baking dish. Use a mixer or do it by hand. Sprinkle on the topping.

Topping
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 cup chopped pecans
Mix all the topping ingredients together. It will be crumbly. Put over sweet potatoes and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. Enjoy.