Sweet Potato Pie with Lavender Crumb Topping

Preheat oven to 375 F. Pour 1 1/2 inches of water into a medium stockpot with a strainer basket and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add sweet potatoes, cover, and steam until fork-tender, about 20 minutes. Strain sweet potatoes, place in a large bowl, and let cool to room temp. Mash them to a smooth puree, about 1 1/4 cups. Add butter, lemon juice, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt, mixing after each addition.

In a small bowl, beat egg yolks lightly with a whisk for about 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat until they're a creamy lemon-yellow color, about 1 1/2 min. Add egg mixture to sweet potato mixture and stir until eggs are thoroughly incorporated and filling is consistent bright-orange color. Add flour a little at a time, stirring after each addition, until thoroughly incorporate. Add buttermilk and stir until mixed in.

With a clean, dry whisk and in a separate bowl, whisk egg whites to soft peaks, about 1 1/2 min. Gently fold egg whites into sweet potato-buttermilk mixture until blended. Pour mixture into a prepared piecrust, then top with lavender crumb topping (see below). Bake on middle rack of oven until the center is firm and set, 35-40 min.

Remove pie from oven and cool completely on a rack. Enjoy!

Combine sugar, flour, culinary lavender & salt. Press out any lumps of sugar. Then using your hands or fork, rub in the butter until mixture is crumbly. Scatter crumb topping evenly over sweet potato pie, and bake.