Instructions:
Begin by boiling or baking the sweet potatoes until they're tender. If boiling, place them in a pot of water and cook for about 20-30 minutes. If baking, wrap them in foil and bake at 400°F for approximately 45-60 minutes.
Once the sweet potatoes are cooked, peel them and mash them in a large bowl until smooth.
Mix the mashed sweet potatoes with the sugar, softened butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Spread the sweet potato mixture into a greased baking dish, ensuring an even layer.
In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, chopped pecans, flour, softened butter, and any optional spices for the pecan topping. Mix until crumbly.
Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture.
Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake the casserole for 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown.
After baking, let the casserole stand for 10 minutes before serving. For an extra treat, you can add mini marshmallows on top and bake for an additional 10 minutes until they're golden and gooey.