Cinnamon-Crunch Sweet Potato Muffins

INGREDIENTS

• 3 Tbs. sugar
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 sweet potatoes or yams (orange-fleshed sweet potatoes), about 14 oz. total, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup canola oil or walnut oil
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp. orange oil, or grated zest of 1 orange
• 3/4 cup pecans, coarsely chopped’
• Unsalted butter for serving