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  1. Food and Cooking
  2. Recipes
  3. Sweet Potato Cake

Sweet Potato Cake

This cozy fall cake feeds a crowd!

By Sarah HoldenPublished: Nov 9, 2024
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the pioneer woman's sweet potato cake recipe
C.W. Newell
Yields:
12 - 16 serving(s)
Prep Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 20 mins

Get ready to fall in love with this sweet potato sheet cake! Sheet cakes are the best desserts for big gatherings because they're easy to transport, a cinch to serve, and you don't have to fuss with layers or fancy decorations. This tender, spiced fall cake is a nod to classic sweet potato casserole with pillowy marshmallow buttercream frosting and crunchy toasted pecans on top. It's made with fresh sweet potatoes instead of canned ones for a more robust sweet potato flavor, but don't worry: They're cooked in the microwave to keep things easy! This dessert is perfect for your holiday spread.

Why are sweet potatoes great for cakes?

Sweet potatoes are high in starch, and as they cook, that starch naturally converts to sugar, adding sweetness and moisture to the cake. Sweet potato puree also adds density, which means you need a little less flour, sugar, and eggs than some other scratch-made cake recipes.

Can I roast the sweet potatoes instead of microwaving them?

Yes, you can! Roast the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet in 350 degree Fahrenheit oven until they’re tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 1 hour.

Can I make this cake without a food processor?

If you don’t have a food processor, just mash the sweet potatoes by hand until smooth. There may be a few small chunks in the batter, but they’ll add a bit of texture to the cake!

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Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • Nonstick baking spray, for the pan

  • 2

    medium sweet potatoes (about 10 oz. each)

  • 2 1/2 cups

    all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

  • 2 tsp.

    baking powder

  • 2 tsp.

    ground cinnamon

  • 1 tsp.

    kosher salt

  • 3/4 tsp.

    baking soda

  • 1/2 tsp.

    ground ginger

  • 1/4 tsp.

    ground allspice

  • 1/8 tsp.

    ground cloves

  • 1/2 cup

    sour cream

  • 1/2 cup

    whole milk, at room temperature

  • 1 cup

    vegetable oil

  • 1 cup

    granulated sugar

  • 1 cup

    packed light brown sugar

  • 1 tsp.

    vanilla extract 

  • 3

    large eggs, at room temperature

For the Frosting:

  • 1/2 cup

    pecans, chopped

  • 1 cup

    (2 sticks) salted butter, at room temperature 

  • 2 cups

    marshmallow creme

  • 1/3 cup

    heavy cream

  • 1 1/2 tsp.

    vanilla extract

  • Pinch of kosher salt

  • 4 cups

    powdered sugar 

Directions

    1. Step 1For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350℉. Coat a rimmed 18-by-13-inch sheet pan with nonstick baking spray.
    2. Step 2Pierce each sweet potato 5 or 6 times with a paring knife and microwave on a microwave-safe plate until pierced easily with a fork, 4 to 8 minutes, rotating them halfway through. Cut in half and let the potatoes cool until easy to handle, about 5 minutes.
    3. Step 3In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, ginger, allspice, and cloves. Set aside. 
    4. Step 4Scoop out the flesh of the sweet potatoes, measure out 1 1/2 cups, and place in a food processor with the sour cream and milk. (Reserve the remaining sweet potato for another use.) Process until smooth and lightened in color, about 1 minute. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and eggs and whisk until smooth. Mix in the dry ingredients in 2 additions until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan and use a large offset spatula to smooth out the surface. 
    5. Step 5Bake until the top of the cake bounces back when gently pressed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack, about 50 minutes. 
    6. Step 6For the frosting: Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and toast until dark brown and fragrant, 7 to 10 minutes. Let cool. 
    7. Step 7In a stand mixer fitter with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, marshmallow creme, heavy cream, vanilla, and salt on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time. Increase the speed to medium high and mix until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes more. 
    8. Step 8Spread the frosting on the cake and sprinkle the pecans over top. 

Tip: Sweet potato cake can be wrapped in plastic and stored at room temperature for up to 1 day, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the frozen cake in the refrigerator overnight, keeping it wrapped to prevent it from drying out.

Love this recipe? Try one of these next!
  • Sweet Potato Pie
  • Sweet Potato Casserole
  • Pumpkin Sheet Cake
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