Sweet potatoes star in side dish and dessert

Sweet potatoes are the similar ingredient in this week's Swap Shop recipes. First, they star in the recipe for Outback Steakhouse's Vanilla Bean Sweet Mashed Potatoes, requested by S.R. of Chicago, and they become sinfully delicious in Sweet Potato Cheesecake, provided by Marsha Gant of Chicago for L.T. of Bolingbrook.

Thanks to Tim Gannon, co-founder of Outback Steakhouse, Swap Shop also has the super-easy recipe for Outback's Chocolate Sauce, requested by J.R.P. of Lake Barrington.

To make the Chocolate Sauce, featured in Outback's classic Chocolate Thunder from Down Under dessert (a fresh-baked pecan brownie and vanilla ice cream topped with the sauce and chocolate shavings): Place 2 tablespoons butter, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup cream and 2 tablespoons Karo Syrup in a sauce pan; bring to simmer. Add 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips; whisk until smooth. Serve immediately.

Gannon is more widely known as the creator of Outback's signature Bloomin' Onion. As Outback Steakhouse celebrates its 20th anniversary, Gannon says the chain has sold more than 133.5 million Bloomin' Onions without changing one ingredient.

Can anyone give me a good recipe for babka?

P.H., Brookfield

I would appreciate a recipe for cornbread made in a cast-iron skillet.

J.C., Chicago

I'm looking for a recipe for egg yolk shrimp.

B.W., Chicago

Send recipes and requests to: Swap Shop, Chicago Sun-Times, 350 N. Orleans, 9th Floor, Chicago 60654 or by e-mail, swapshop@suntimes.com. Mail must include a daytime phone number.