- 3 pounds sweet potatoes
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes and softened
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon sweet or hot smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne, or to taste
- Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Prick each potato once with a fork, then bake potatoes in a foil-lined shallow baking pan until tender, about 1 hour. When cool enough to handle, peel, then cut away any eyes or dark spots. Puree potatoes with butter, cream, paprika, salt, and cayenne in a food processor until smooth.