Sweet-Potato Pie with Gingersnap Pecan Crust

Ingredients

• 0.5 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1 tablespoon rum dark
• 3 large eggs 
• 1 cup gingersnap cookies crushed finely (5 ounces; 20 2-inch cookies)
• 8 servings accompaniments: lightly whipped cream and pecans sweetened toasted
• 2 ounces pecans toasted finely chopped
• 0.3 teaspoon salt 
• 0.5 cup sugar 
• 2 lb sweet potatoes (4 medium)
• 5 tablespoons butter unsalted melted for buttering pie plate
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla 
• 0.3 cup water 
• 0.7 cup milk whole

Equipment

• food processor
• bowl
• frying pan
• oven
• plastic wrap
• baking pan
• aluminum foil

Directions

1. Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour pie plate, knocking out excess flour.
2. Toss together all crust ingredients in a bowl with a fork until crumbs are moistened, then press evenly over bottom and up side of pie plate.
3. Bake crust 6 minutes, then cool on a rack.
4. Increase oven temperature to 400°F.
5. Prick each sweet potato once with a fork. Roast in a foil-lined shallow baking pan until tender, about 1 hour.
6. Remove from oven and reduce oven temperature to 375°F. Halve potatoes lengthwise and cool.
7. While potatoes cool, cook sugar in a dry 8-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, undisturbed, until it begins to melt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally with a fork, until sugar melts into a deep golden caramel.
8. Remove from heat. Carefully pour water down side of skillet (mixture will bubble and steam vigorously), then return to heat and simmer, stirring, until hardened caramel is completely dissolved.
9. Remove from heat.
10. When potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel, then cut away any eyes or dark spots. Purée potatoes in a food processor until smooth, then add eggs, cinnamon, and salt and blend until smooth.
11. Add milk, caramel, rum, and vanilla, and blend until combined well.
12. Pour filling into crust.
13. Bake until filling 2 inches from edge is slightly puffed and center trembles slightly when gently shaken, 40 to 50 minutes (top may crack; filling will continue to set as it cools). If the crust begins to brown too much before the filling is done, crimp a ring of foil or use a pie shield to protect it. Cool pie on rack about 1 hour.
14. Serve warm or at room temperature.
15. •Crust can be made 2 days ahead and cooled completely, then kept, covered with plastic wrap, at room temperature.•Sweet potatoes can be baked 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring to room temperature before peeling.