Maple Cayenne Sweet Potato Gratin

• 4 medium sweet potatoes (or yams)
• 1 1/2 cups half and half
• 2/3 cup dark maple syrup (grade B, if you can get it)
• 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (more or less to suit taste)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3/4 cup shredded extra sharp white cheddar cheese (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 375 deg. Grease a 9X9 baking dish with the butter.
2. Whisk together half and half, mascarpone, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper.
3. Peel and slice potatoes into thin rounds, about 1/16" - 1/8" thick, I use a mandolin.
4. Layer potatoes into the buttered baking dish, topping each layer with 1/2 cup of the cream mixture, reserving about 1/2 cup to pour over top. Season each layer with salt and pepper.rnrnIf you chose to use the cheddar you should layer it in with the potatoes evenly, starting and finishing with a layer of potatoes.
5. Cover with foil, bake for 30 minutes, remove foil and bake for another 30 minutes, until liquid is absorbed and a fork inserted in the potatoes comes out easily.

sweet potatoes, dark maple syrup, mascarpone cheese, cayenne pepper, salt, butter, cheddar cheese

Taken from food52.com/recipes/16722-maple-cayenne-sweet-potato-gratin (may not work)