Sweet potato pie is economical, easy and delicious enough to be served for all holidays, including Easter. They're generally easy pies to prepare and can add a contrast to a table decorated with spring colors.

Sweet potatoes are also readily available throughout the year in supermarkets and economically priced per pound. The root vegetable is also high in vitamins (a good excuse for indulging in the added sugar.)

**Sweet Potato Praline Pie

(Courtesy of The Dairy Alliance)

Yield two 9-inch pies or one deep-dish pie

Approximate cook time is 50-60 minutes.

This recipe fetters a simple homemade pie crust, but a store-bought one will work too. The recipe makes either two regular pies or one deep-dish pie and is best served at room temperature.

2 1⁄2 C. mashed sweet potato

1⁄2 C. brown sugar

1⁄4 C. granulated sugar

3 large eggs

1 C. milk

1⁄2 C. unsalted butter, melted

1 Tbsp. vanilla

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. lemon zest

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. ground ginger

1⁄2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1⁄2 tsp. salt

**All Butter Pie Crust

2 1⁄2 C. all-purpose flour

2 Tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 C. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, very cold

1⁄4 C. ice water

**Pecan Praline Topping

1 C. pecan halves, divided

4 Tbsp. butter

1⁄4 C. brown sugar

1⁄4 C. granulated sugar

1 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. whipping cream

Preheat oven to 400?. In a large mixing bowl combine sweet potato, sugars and eggs. Using a hand mixer on medium speed, combine ingredients until well mixed. Add in milk, butter, vanilla, lemon juice, lemon zest, spices and salt. Mix on low speed until well combined. Pour mixture into two prepared 9-inch pie crusts or one large deep-dish crust. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until center is firm. Remove from oven and let completely. Top with Praline Topping just before serving.

**All Butter Pie Crust

In the bowl of a food processor place flour, sugar and salt. Pulse a few times to combine. Cut butter into small cubes and add to flour mix. Blend together gradually adding ice water. Mixture should start to come together and resemble coarse meal. Do not over mix. On a floured surface, turn out dough and gather into a two equal sized balls or one large one, depending on needs. Flatten into disk and wrap tightly with plastic wrap; chill at least two hours or overnight.

**Pecan Praline Topping

Chop half the pecans into small pieces and leave remaining pecans in halves; set aside. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, sugars and salt. Heat until mixture begins to bubble, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and add cream, stirring until combined. Add pecans and mix well.