Southern Sweet Potato Cake Recipe (2024)

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posted by Amy Johnsonon March 22, 2017 (updated Dec 17, 2021) 193 comments »

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This delicious Southern Sweet Potato Cake Recipe is perfect to serve for any occasion, or any time you’re in the mood for baking. The cake is made layers of slightly spiced sweet potato cake and a honey cinnamon buttercream for a lovely combination that has been a palate pleaser over the years, and has become one of our most popular cake recipes.

Southern Sweet Potato Cake Recipe (1)

For years we’ve enjoyed dining at Brick Street Cafe. Not only do they have a lovely, eclectic atmosphere but the menu, particularly the dessert menu is fabulous. The dessert selection alone is worth a visit. It’s like a tour of the South in dessert form!

A good plan when dining at Brick Street Cafe is to have a light salad for supper to save up room for cake because the cake serving size is crazy huge. One of the cakes they are famous for is their Sweet Potato Cake. It’s a lightly spiced cake, similar to carrot cake, but made with sweet potatoes and oh so moist.

Southern Sweet Potato Cake Recipe (2)

For many years I had been wanting to recreate the Southern Sweet Potato Cake, so a few years back I set out to conquer it. A few renditions later and I settled on a cake that we are delighted with. It’s a moist cake with just the right amount of spice to compliment the sweet potato.

And yes, there is real sweet potato in this cake, about 4-5 of them to be exact. Just to push this Sweet Potato Cake over the top, I then paired it with a fluffy Cinnamon Honey ButtercreamFrosting. Sweet potatoes, cinnamon, and honey always make a good team, don’t they?

It’s a cake worthy of a special occasion or even just an ordinary day you’d like to make special. I hope you enjoy this cake as much as we have! Happy baking, y’all!

Southern Sweet Potato Cake Recipe (3)

A few Sweet Potato Cake recipe notes:

  • I’ve made this cake with and without freezing the cake layers. It is delicious either way but I do think freezing the cake layers (separately) creates a lovely dense and more moist cake. To freeze cake layers, wrap cooled layers (separately) in 2 layers of plastic wrap, then insert each wrapped layer in a zip-top plastic bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Don’t forget to label and date your cake!
  • For the mashed sweet potatoes, I used my Quick Baked Potatoes method. It takes only 30 minutes! The potato halves can be easily peeled, then mashed. If you’re planning on baked potatoes for supper, bake some sweet potatoes while you’re at it to have on hand for cake making.
  • Try my Cinnamon Honey Buttercream Frosting Recipe with this cake for a delectable combo.

Southern Sweet Potato Cake Recipe (4)

More delicious baking recipes:

Strawberry Upside Down Cake
Chocolate Hazelnut Torte
Homemade Gingerbread Loaf
Easy Blueberry Pie

Southern Sweet Potato Cake Recipe

Southern Sweet Potato Cake Recipe (5)

Southern Sweet Potato Cake Recipe

A delicious cake for any day or holiday, made with sweet potatoes, cinnamon and ginger. Topped with Honey Cinnamon Buttercream for a perfect combination.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes, cooled (about 4-5 sweet potatoes)
  • 1 cup whole buttermilk

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. Butter and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with baking parchment and butter the top of those too.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and ginger. Set aside.
  3. In the bowl of a mixer, beat together butter and sugar on medium-high for 4-5 minutes until creamy, stopping to scrape down bowl at least twice. Gradually add beaten eggs. Beat on medium-high for 1-2 minutes until fluffy, scraping down bowl as needed. Add vanilla and sweet potatoes and beat until smooth, scraping down bowl as needed (scraping down the bowl is important stuff, y’all).
  4. Add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture in thirds, alternating with buttermilk. Beat on low speed until just incorporated, scraping down bowl as needed.
  5. Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake at 350-degrees F for 35-45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Allow to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto cooling rack to cool completely.

Notes

This recipe makes a 2-layer 9-inch cake.Pair this cake with Cinnamon Honey Buttercream Frosting for a delicious combination.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Facebook

Originally published September 18, 2o15. Last updated July 18, 2021.

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Easy Strawberry Upside Down Cake Recipe

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originally published on March 22, 2017 (last updated Dec 17, 2021)

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Southern Sweet Potato Cake Recipe (9)

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193 comments on “Southern Sweet Potato Cake Recipe”

  1. Diane HoganReply

    I am adding thickened crushed pineapple between layers. I will do 3 layers. Yummy

  2. KellyReply

    This sweet potato cake is delicious and moist. It was a huge hit at a family birthday party last fall. I just made it again and followed the recipe except that I made 3 9″ layers-which took between 25-30 minutes to bake. My husband wanted cream cheese frosting but I wanted to try your Cinnamon Honey Buttercream Frosting-so I made a 2 layer cream cheese frosted cake and scaled down the Cinnamon Honey Buttercream frosting for a one layer cake. Both pair so well with the sweet potato cake, I’m not sure I can choose. I boiled 4 sweet potatoes and had more than enough for the cake. This recipe is a keeper.

    • Amy Johnson

      So happy to hear it, Kelly! It’s always a favorite with our family too.

  3. Tawanah fa*gan BagwellReply

    I watched Brenda Gantt make this very same cake today. It was from September, 2022. I’m not sure she used the same frosting recipe but she did have cream cheese in it.

  4. KathyReply

    When does the buttermilk go in? I mean be missing something.

    • Amy Johnson

      In step 4 of the recipe you alternate the dry ingredients with the buttermilk.

  5. Sharon StaffordReply

    can you make this sweet potato cake in 13 x 9 pan instead of layers?

    • Amy Johnson

      I’m sure it would work, but since I have not tried it in a 9×13 pan, I cannot tell you how to adjust the cook time. Please let me know if you try and what works for you.

Leave a comment »

Southern Sweet Potato Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is sweet potato cake made of? ›

for the cake: flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter, brown sugar, sweet potato puree, eggs, vanilla/almond extract, and buttermilk.

Should I soak sweet potatoes before baking? ›

Many readers ask if they really need to soak the sweet potatoes before baking to get that great crunch. I've tried it both ways and found that soaking the sweet potato fries for about 30 minutes or so in plenty of cold water does help them crisp up a bit more.

Can I peel a sweet potato and then bake it? ›

The skin will add a little texture, so if you are serving children or sensitive eaters, consider peeling the sweet potatoes before roasting. Cut (Almost) Uniform Pieces. To make sure the sweet potatoes cook evenly, try to cut them all roughly the same size.

Should you wrap sweet potatoes before baking? ›

Wrapping sweet potatoes in foil helps in a few ways. It prevents the exterior of the tuber from drying out and overheating too quickly, which would minimize enzymatic activity; it also results in a more evenly cooked texture.

What are the benefits of sweet potato cake? ›

You'll get a healthy dose of fiber in this sweet potato cake with the addition of sweet potatoes which helps keep digestion regular. Sweet potatoes also help feed healthy gut bacteria. They're also high in beta carotene, an antioxidant that the body converts to vitamin A once digested.

What are potato cakes called in America? ›

In some states it's known as a 'potato scallop', in others it's a 'potato cake', and for years the debate has been bantered back and forward between protagonists. “It might be a 'scallop' of potato but let's not confuse it with a serve of scallops!

Should you soak sweet potatoes? ›

Soaking won't help anything except release some starch. Should I soak sweet potatoes before roasting? No need to soak them. If they are fresh then there is no need for soaking them.

Is it better to peel sweet potatoes before or after boiling? ›

There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite. If you're looking for a smoother mash, peel the potatoes first before boiling.

What is the healthiest way to eat sweet potatoes? ›

Boiling sweet potatoes retains more beta-carotene and makes the nutrient more absorbable than other cooking methods such as baking or frying. Up to 92% of the nutrient can be retained by limiting the cook time, such as boiling in a pot with a tightly covered lid for 20 minutes.

Are yams and sweet potatoes the same? ›

No, yams and sweet potatoes are not the same. Yams have rough, dark brown skin that is often compared to tree bark, and their flesh is dry and starchy like a regular potato. Sweet potatoes have smooth reddish skin, softer flesh (when cooked), and a sweet flavor.

Is it better to microwave or bake a sweet potato? ›

It's really the best way. Microwaving sweet potatoes cuts down cook time by 45 to 55 minutes, and, according to a 2018 study, helps maintain the potato's nutritional value. All cooking methods cause foods to lose some of their nutrients, but the quicker your potato cooks, the more nutrients it will retain.

Can dogs eat sweet potatoes? ›

Good news: vets give the OK when it comes to dogs and sweet potatoes! In fact, sweet potatoes are considered a healthy treat for dogs and offer lots of nutritional value for your pooch. Just be careful how you go about introducing this fiber-rich starchy root to your pooch.

Why freeze sweet potatoes before baking? ›

The science behind using frozen sweet potatoes

“Freezing sweet potatoes before baking them results in a nice and charred exterior and the most fluffy inside, because freezing the potatoes allows their interior flesh to macerate from the inside out,” says Chin. (FYI, “macerate” is the chef word for soften.)

What is the best tasting sweet potato? ›

The most versatile and sweetest variation of sweet potatoes is the Beauregard. Throughout the United States, you will see this species stacked high in the grocery stores during the holiday season. Beauregard's have a bit of a stringy texture, but they stay soft: this is what makes them so popular.

Why is it advisable not to wrap potatoes in foil while baking? ›

Trapping that spud in aluminum foil where the moisture cannot escape results in a wet potato. Over baking the potato in foil cannot be seen (or easy to smell that it is overcooked) so you can end up with dark brown skin on the bottom, tough to eat and giving off a slightly burnt taste.

What is sweet potato pudding made of? ›

To make the pudding, the sweet potatoes are first boiled for maximum moisture, then blended with classic ingredients like brown sugar, butter, and vanilla. To set, you'll bake the pudding for around an hour. This pudding is incredible warm, but it's even better after a day of chilling in the fridge and served cold.

What is baked Alaska dessert made of? ›

Baked Alaska is an old-school dessert that consists of a layer of cake, a frozen ice cream center, and a coating of toasted marshmallowy meringue. It's essentially a fancy version of an ice cream cake, and though it is, admittedly, fussier to make than your average dessert, it's totally worth it for that wow-factor.

Is potato cake a scallop or fritter? ›

In 2015, Dr Jill Vaughan, Dr Rosey Billington and Katie Jepson from the Linguistics Roadshow program illustrated that Queensland and NSW use potato scallops; Victoria and Tasmania potato cakes; Adelaide, potato fritter, and WA apparently uses whatever they feel like on an individual basis. So everyone is right.

What is sweet potato souffle made of? ›

Place sweet potatoes into the bowl of a food processor. Add eggs, cream, 3/4 cup sugar, butter, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Process until mixture is smooth. Pour into prepared soufflé dish.

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