My Candied Sweet Potatoes have a Surprise!

A delicious Candied Sweet Potato dish with a Surprise Twist of Apricots is a perfect Thanksgiving side dish.
1 40-ounce can Sweet Potatoes, drained, or 3 Cups Boiled or Baked Sweet Potatoes
1 16-ounce can Apricot Halves in syrup, drained (reserve syrup), or 2 Cups fresh Apricots
Reserved Apricot Juice with enough Orange juice to make 1 Cup*
*if using fresh apricots, substitute Apricot Nectar for the Apricot syrup
1 Cup Firmly Packed Brown Sugar
1 1/2 TBSP Cornstarch
1/2-1 Tsp Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/8 Tsp Nutmeg or Cloves, optional
2 TBSP Butter, plus more for greasing pan
zest from 1 Orange
1/4 to 1/2 cup Pecan Pieces
additional Pecan Halves, optional
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#candiedsweetpotatoes #candiedyams