Sweet Potato Oranges

photo credit

With fall in full swing and Thanksgiving just around the corner, I thought I'd share this recipe from my mother-in-law that she made for our meal of thanks last year.  She remembered her mother making something similar growing up, so I helped her track down a few recipes to work from and this was the result.  They were delicious and I'd say it will be hard not to make them again myself this year!    

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• 6 oranges 
• 3 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 eggs, lightly beatenve
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup butter, softened, divided
• 1 tablespoon grated orange peel 
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• mini marshmallows, optional for topping

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
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• Prepare oranges by cutting each orange in half. Spoon out the flesh, leaving a shell.
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• In a large bowl combine sweet potatoes, sugar, orange juice, eggs, vanilla extract, 1/2 cup butter and grated orange peel. Spoon mixture into orange shells. Place in a deep casserole dish.
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• In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine remaining 1/2 cup butter, brown sugar, flour and pecans. Cook until sugar dissolves in melted butter. Spoon over oranges. Fill casserole dish with water about 1/4 inch deep.
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• Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.  If you want to add the marshmallows on top, sprinkle a few on each orange at the very end and broil quickly.  They will cook fast and burn quickly if you're not careful, so keep an eye on them.