Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup mashed sweet potato and ½ cup vegetable oil; beat well. Add ¾ cup white sugar and ½ cup packed brown sugar and beat until well combined. Add 2 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In a separate bowl, combine 1¾ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Stir flour mixture into egg mixture alternately with water, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix just until combined.

Stir in sweet potatoes and ½ cup chopped pecans if using. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs, about 55-65 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then remove to wire rack to cool completely.