If you are looking to delight your taste buds with a dessert that perfectly balances sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors, this Sweet Potato Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is your new best friend. The warm spices combined with the natural sweetness of the mashed sweet potatoes create a moist, tender cake that pairs beautifully with the rich, tangy cream cheese frosting. This recipe offers both comfort and a touch of elegance, making it perfect for family gatherings or whenever you want to treat yourself to something truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these simple but essential ingredients sets the foundation for a cake that’s bursting with flavor, moistness, and the perfect balance of spice and sweetness. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the cake’s unique texture and vibrant taste.
- 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes: Provides moisture, natural sweetness, and a beautiful orange hue.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The structural base of the cake ensuring a tender crumb.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cake rise and keeps it light.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Adds additional lift for fluffiness.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds warm, comforting spice.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg: Enhances the depth of spice and warmth.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger: Brings a subtle zing balancing the sweetness.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Amplifies all the flavors.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and moisture.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps with the cake’s airy texture.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed: Deepens the sweetness with a touch of molasses flavor.
- 2 large eggs: Bind all ingredients and add to the cake’s structure.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Brings a fragrant sweetness to the batter.
- 1/2 cup buttermilk: Adds moisture and a subtle tang to balance sweetness.
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened: Key ingredient for the rich frosting.
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides creaminess to the frosting.
- 2 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the frosting’s flavor.
How to Make Sweet Potato Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Sweet Potatoes
Begin by cooking your sweet potatoes until they are tender and easy to mash. This step is crucial because perfectly mashed sweet potatoes will make your cake moist and flavorful. Once mashed, set them aside to cool completely. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour your cake pans to ensure an easy release after baking.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. This mixture brings the perfect blend of rising agents and spices that will infuse your cake with that signature comforting aroma and flavor.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter with both the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. This aeration step is key to a tender cake crumb. Then, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, before stirring in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Combine Mixtures
Alternate adding the dry ingredient mixture and buttermilk into the butter and sugar mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Gently fold in the mashed sweet potatoes until just combined. This careful mixing ensures the cake remains light while keeping the sweet potato fully incorporated.
Step 5: Bake
Pour your batter evenly into the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling fully is essential before frosting to avoid melting.
Step 6: Make Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to mix until the frosting is light and fluffy. This luscious frosting adds the perfect tangy balance to the cake’s sweet and spiced layers.
Step 7: Assemble the Cake
Spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting between your cooled cake layers. Then, cover the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. Feel free to get creative with your decorating, whether you want a smooth finish or pretty swirls. Your cake is now ready to impress!
How to Serve Sweet Potato Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
Adding garnishes such as chopped pecans, toasted coconut flakes, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon on top of the frosting can elevate the look and texture of your cake. These small touches offer a delightful crunch and hint of rustic charm that complement the cake’s flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
Serve this cake alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of lightly whipped cream, or a fresh fruit compote to balance the richness and add a refreshing contrast. It’s also lovely with a cup of warmly spiced tea or coffee to complete the experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try presenting individual slices on pretty plates with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a sprinkle of chopped nuts. Another fun idea is to cut the cake into smaller squares for a party dessert tray, making it easy for guests to enjoy multiple bites of this wonderful Sweet Potato Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your cake, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The frosting will keep the cake moist, and the flavors often deepen after a day or two. Properly stored, it will stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days.
Freezing
You can freeze this cake, either frosted or unfrosted, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. When wrapped well, the cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving for best results.
Reheating
If you prefer your cake slightly warmed, simply place a slice in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. This softens the frosting and enhances the cake’s comforting flavors, almost like freshly baked. Just be careful not to overheat and melt the frosting completely.
FAQs
Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh ones?
While fresh sweet potatoes provide the best flavor and texture, you can use canned sweet potatoes if you’re in a pinch. Make sure to drain and mash them well before adding to the batter to avoid excess moisture.
Is this cake gluten-free?
This particular Sweet Potato Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free. However, you can try substituting a gluten-free flour blend made for baking, but results may vary slightly in texture.
Can I make this cake vegan?
To make this cake vegan, you will need to use plant-based butter substitutes, a flax or chia egg substitute, and a vegan cream cheese alternative for the frosting. The texture and taste will be delicious but subtly different.
How long does it take to make from start to finish?
The entire process, including preparation and baking, usually takes about 55 minutes. This makes it an achievable project for both beginner and seasoned bakers alike.
What is the best way to get smooth cream cheese frosting?
Ensure both the cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature before mixing. Beat them together thoroughly before adding powdered sugar gradually. This will help eliminate lumps and yield a silky smooth frosting.
Final Thoughts
There is truly nothing quite like the warmth and richness of this Sweet Potato Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe to brighten any occasion. From the first bite to the last, it’s the kind of dessert that feels like a cozy hug and makes any day feel special. I highly encourage you to try making it yourself—your family and friends will thank you, and you’ll have a new favorite to share again and again.
Print
Sweet Potato Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Sweet Potato Cake is a moist, spiced dessert featuring a tender crumb enriched with mashed sweet potatoes and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. It’s topped with a rich, creamy cream cheese frosting that complements the cake’s natural sweetness, making it an ideal treat for fall or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes (about 2 medium sweet potatoes)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Cook sweet potatoes until they are tender by boiling or baking, then mash them thoroughly and allow to cool. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your baking pans to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents and spices.
- Cream Butter & Sugars: In a separate mixing bowl, beat the softened butter along with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This aerates the batter for a tender cake texture. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture alternately with the buttermilk into the creamed butter mixture, mixing gently after each addition to maintain cake lightness. Fold in the cooled mashed sweet potatoes, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Bake: Pour the prepared batter evenly into the greased and floured pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them onto wire racks to cool completely.
- Make Frosting: Beat the cream cheese and softened butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable.
- Assemble Cake: Once the cake layers are completely cooled, spread a layer of frosting between the cake layers. Then frost the top and sides of the assembled cake evenly. Decorate as desired to enhance presentation.
Notes
- Ensure sweet potatoes are fully cooled before folding them into the batter to prevent disrupting the texture.
- Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing and smoother batter.
- To save time, sweet potatoes can be baked in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- If buttermilk is unavailable, substitute with regular milk plus 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice per 1/2 cup.
- Frosting can be flavored with a pinch of cinnamon or orange zest for variation.
