Southern Sweet Potato Pie

2 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes (about one pound fresh)

1/4 cup butter (softened)

1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk (regular or fat free)

1 tsp. orange zest

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. Salt

2 eggs

1 unbaked pie shell

Whipped topping to serve

Mix all filling ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer on medium until everything is combined and there are no lumps. Pour filling into the pie crust and place the pie pan on a baking sheet on the lowest rack of the oven and bake for 40 minutes at 350° or until the crust is golden brown and the pie has set. Place the pie on a wire cooling rack and let it cool completely.  Garnish with whipped cream or whipped topping, if desired.