Sweet Potato Cake

This moist and flavorful Southern Sweet Potato Cake recipe is perfect for fall gatherings or holiday celebrations. It’s both a comforting and unique twist on a traditional layer cake, certain to appeal to those looking for something different to offer for dessert.

Easy Sweet Potato Cake Recipe

Sweet potato cake is a delightful fall dessert recipe that combines the natural sweetness and moisture of sweet potatoes with warm spices transforming them into a tender crumb layer cake. It’s not just limited to the fall season, it’s a delightful dessert you can enjoy any time of year. This cake is flavored with a winning combination of spices featuring cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger, enhancing its rich and earthy taste. The texture of this sweet potato layer cake is moist and dense, making it incredibly satisfying. It’s layered and frosted with homemade cream cheese frosting, which provides a creamy, tangy contrast to the sweetness of the cake. How to make Sweet Potato Cake with cream cheese frosting from scratch: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

How to Bake Sweet Potatoes – Preheat the oven to 400°F. Prick potatoes and place onto a sheet pan. Bake until fork tender then use a spoon to scoop out the sweet potato, then mash. Set aside to cool.
Prepare Pans – Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray three 8-inch round cake pans with baking spray or butter and flour.
Toast the Nuts – Spread pecans or walnuts on a sheet pan. Toast for 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Dry Ingredients – Use a whisk to sift together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and ginger.
Wet ingredients – In a separate bowl, whisk together the cooled sweet potatoes, vanilla and vegetable oil.
Combine – Using an electric mixer add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients mixing until fully.
Transfer the Batter to the Prepared Pans – Pour batter evenly into the pans.
Oven – Bake per the recipe then cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack.
Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: Cream together the cream cheese, butter and vanilla then gradually add the powdered sugar and cinnamon beating until fully and combined. Add heavy cream to thin.
Assemble the Cake – Frost evenly between the layers. Sprinkling each layer with toasted nuts.
Garnish – Swirling the frosting and press remaining toasted pecans evenly onto the side of the cake. Chill for at least 4 hours for the frosting to set.

How to Make the BEST Sweet Potato Cake Recipe

Key ingredients you’ll need to make a Southern Sweet Potato Cake: 2 large sweet potatoes (to equal 2 cups mashed), chopped pecans or walnuts, all purpose flour, granulated sugar, packed light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, large eggs.
Ingredients to make homemade Cream Cheese Frosting for cake: Plain cream cheese, powdered sugar (confectioners sugar) salted butter, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon and heavy cream.
Kitchen tools you’ll need: Stand mixer or hand mixer, whisk, large bowl, medium bowl, three 8-inch round cake pans, measuring cups and spoons, sheet pan, icing spatula and wire rack.
In this recipe I recommend baking the sweet potatoes. I’ve also included microwave instructions if time is an issue. Just remember to cool the sweet potatoes before adding them to the batter.
I opt for pecans for the nuts in this cake. You can also use walnuts. Either way, I highly recommend taking the time to toast them to enhance the flavor.
How to freeze Sweet Potato Cake Layers: If you’d like to get a head start on holiday baking, you can make the cake layers up to 2 months in advance. When doing so, bake the cake layers and cool them completely. Wrap in plastic wrap and then heavy duty foil and pop them into the freezer until you’re ready to assemble ands frost the cake.
Storage and Leftovers: Store spiced Sweet Potato Cake in an airtight container chilled in the fridge for up to 1 week.
You can store frosted Sweet Potato Cake for up to 2 months in the freezer.

More Sweet Potato Recipes to Make

Streusel topped Sweet Potato Pie.
Sweet Potato Cornbread for serving with chili, pinto beans and more.
Sweet Potato Casserole is a must-make for the holidays.
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are a fabulous option for individual servings.
Sweet Potato Biscuits are scrumptious slathered with butter and a drizzle of honey.
Elevate your side dish menu with these baked Sweet Potato Fries.
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole will free-up space for busy oven days.
Grilled Sweet Potato Salad from Two Peas and Their Pod.

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