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Southern Sweet Potato Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 145 reviews

This Southern Sweet Potato Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert featuring the natural sweetness and creaminess of mashed sweet potatoes. Enhanced with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and topped with a rich, creamy homemade cream cheese frosting, this cake is perfect for comforting gatherings or special occasions. The recipe involves baking two layers of tender cake that are beautifully complemented by a smooth, luscious frosting, delivering a classic Southern treat with a delightful twist.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cake bakes evenly and rises beautifully.
  2. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Peel and chop 2-3 medium-sized sweet potatoes. Boil them in a pot of water until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and let cool. Once cooled, mash the sweet potatoes until smooth, measuring about 2 cups for the recipe.
  3. Mix the Cake Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a separate large bowl, beat together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the mashed sweet potatoes and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
  4. Bake the Cake: Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper. Divide the batter evenly between the pans and smooth the tops. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  5. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract. If the frosting is too thick, add milk one tablespoon at a time until reaching a spreadable consistency.
  6. Assemble the Cake: Level the tops of the cooled cakes with a serrated knife if needed. Place one cake layer on a serving platter and spread a generous amount of frosting on top. Set the second layer on top and gently press down. Frost the entire cake, smoothing the sides and top. Optionally, garnish with chopped pecans or toasted coconut for an extra touch.
  7. Serve: Slice into generous pieces and serve. This cake pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea for an enjoyable Southern dessert experience.

Notes

  • Ensure sweet potatoes are fully cooked and mashed smoothly for best texture.
  • Do not overmix the batter to prevent a dense cake.
  • Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
  • Adjust frosting thickness with milk as needed for easier spreading.
  • Optional toppings like pecans or toasted coconut add flavor and texture contrast.

Keywords: Southern sweet potato cake, sweet potato dessert, cream cheese frosting cake, holiday cake, moist layered cake

Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/southern-sweet-potato-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/