To make this in the oven:
- Start by preheating the oven to 400F and boiling a large pot of water on the stove (at least 8 cups of water).
- Once the water is boiling, add the sweet potaotes to the water and let them cook and soften for 15 minutes. They should be very soft when touched.
- Drain the sweet potatoes and add them to the bowl of a standing mixer or a large bowl with the milk, 4 tablespoons of the butter, maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and the cinnamon.
- Whip the sweet potato mixture together until silky and smooth. Pour it into a large casserole or baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
- In a small, microwave safe bowl, melt the remaining 2 tabelspoons of butter. To the butter, add the remaining salt, pecans and sugar. Mix this nut mixture well and sprinkle it over the top of the sweet potatoes.
- Place the baking dish into the oven to 20 minutes.
- Remove the dish from the oven and cover the top with the marshmallows. Slide it back into the oven for 3-5 minutes, watching it carefully, until the marshmallows are golden brown.
- Remove and serve immediately.
To make this in a wood pellet smoker or Traeger grill:
- Start by preheating the grill/smoker to 400F and boiling a large pot of water on the stove (at least 8 cups of water).
- Once the water is boiling, add the sweet potaotes to the water and let them cook and soften for 15 minutes. They should be very soft when touched.
- Drain the sweet potatoes and add them to the bowl of a standing mixer or a large bowl with the milk, 4 tablespoons of the butter, maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and the cinnamon.
- Whip the sweet potato mixture together until silky and smooth. Pour it into a large casserole or baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
- In a small, microwave safe bowl, melt the remaining 2 tabelspoons of butter. To the butter, add the remaining salt, pecans and sugar. Mix this nut mixture well and sprinkle it over the top of the sweet potatoes.
- Place the baking dish into the grill/smoker for 20 minutes and close the lid.
- Remove the dish from the grill/smoker and cover the top with the marshmallows. Slide it back into the grill/smoker for 3-5 minutes, checking it ever 30 seconds or so, until the marshmallows are golden brown.
- Remove and serve immediately.