This moist sweet potato cake is what your Thanksgiving dessert table is missing.
Learn how to make classic sweet potato cake with cream cheese frosting.
To make it, you’ll need:
Don’t forget thepecansfor garnishing the cake.
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What punch in of Sweet Potatoes Is Best for This Cake?
Their wisdom is invaluable when it comes to specialty varieties.
Do You Have To Bake Sweet Potatoes for This Recipe?
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While you certainly canbake sweet potatoesfor this cake, why go to the trouble?
If canned sweet potato puree is available at your local grocery store, feel free to use it.
When in doubt, opt for real sweet potatoes.
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They can also be frozen for up to two months.
The frosting can be made up to four days ahead and refrigerated until ready to use.
Bring to room temperature before using for an easy time frosting the cake.
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The entire cake can be assembled a day ahead, covered, and stored in the refrigerator.
Give it an hour or so at room temperature before slicing and serving.
How Do You Decorate Sweet Potato Cake?
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Ingredients
Cake Layers:
1large (12- to 14-oz.)
baking soda
Pinch of ground nutmeg
3/4cup whole milk
1/4cup molasses
1tsp.
cream cheese, softened
3tsp.
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Coat 2 (9-inch) cake pans with baking spray.
Microwave potato on HIGH 4 minutes.
Let cool enough to be handled, about 10 minutes; peel and mash in a small bowl.
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Add eggs, one at a time, and mix just until combined.
Reduce speed to low; blend in one-third of the flour mixture.
Add half of the milk mixture; blend until smooth.
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Repeat procedure, alternating dry and wet ingredients, blending fully between additions.
Add batter to cake pans:
Divide batter between prepared pans.
Let cool in pans 15 minutes.
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Very carefully turn out Cake Layers onto a wire rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.
Add vanilla and salt, and beat well.
Reduce speed to low, and gradually add 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar.
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Beat until well blended.
Gradually add remaining powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating until smooth between additions.
Continue to beat until frosting is light and fluffy.
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Build cake:
Place 1 cooled Cake Layer on a serving plate.
Cover generously with frosting; top with remaining layer, and frost top and sides of cake.
Garnish with pecans, if desired.
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Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Test Kitchen Tips
Mashed sweet potatoesgive this cake an earthy flavor and a moist texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adding mashed sweet potato makes for a dense, rich cake.
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In a pinch, you cansubstitute for all-purpose flour, or unbleached varieties of cake flour.
In this recipe, molasses is already added, meaning you may not need that additional boost.
Cream cheese frosting is less stable than traditional buttercream.
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This will help chill the frosting slightly and keep everything in place while you frost.
If you have trouble getting a clean layer of frosting over your cake, start with a crumb coat.
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Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee
Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee
