Southern Yam Dessert Squares

This is a great alternative to the traditional pumpkin pie. It comes from Borden Holiday Recipe Collection, 1987.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 2  cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 1⁄2 cups unsifted flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup butter, softened
• 1  cup  firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 16 -18  ounces canned sweet potatoes, drained and mashed
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 2  eggs, beaten
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1  teaspoon  grated  orange rind
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine the oats, flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
3. In large bowl of mixer, beat butter, sugar and vanilla until fluffy.
4. Add the dry ingredients mixing until crumbly.
5. Reserve 1 cup of crumb mixture and press the remainder firmly on the bottom of a 13 x 9 inch baking dish.
6. Bake 10 minutes.
7. While crust is baking, combine remaining ingredients (except nuts) in a large bowl and mix well.
8. Pour over the prepared crust.
9. Combine the nuts with the reserved crumb mixture and sprinkle evenly over top.
10. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden.
11. This can be served either warm or cold.
12. It is delicious with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.