Sweet Potato Cake

Sweet Potato Cake

Details

  • Prep Time 30 minutes
  • Cook Time 45 minutes
  • Servings 12

Ingredients

Cake

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes, cooled (about 4-5 sweet potatoes)
  • 1 cup whole buttermilk

Frosting (make 1 1/2 batches for a two-layer cake)

  • 8 ounces (224g) full-fat block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 3 cups (360g) confectioners’ sugar, plus an extra 1/4 cup (30g) if needed
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. Butter and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with baking parchment and butter the top of those too.

  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and ginger. Set aside.

  3. In the bowl of a mixer, beat together the butter and sugar on medium-high for 4-5 minutes until creamy, stopping to scrape down the bowl at least twice. Gradually add the beaten eggs. Beat on medium-high for 1-2 minutes until fluffy, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add the vanilla and sweet potatoes and beat until smooth.

  4. Add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture in thirds, alternating with buttermilk. Beat on low speed until just incorporated, scraping down bowl as needed.

  5. Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake at 350-degrees F for 35-45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Allow to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto cooling rack to cool completely.

Frosting

  1. In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter together on high speed until smooth and creamy. Add 3 cups confectioners’ sugar, the vanilla, and salt. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then switch to high speed and beat for 2 minutes. If you want the frosting a little thicker, add the extra 1/4 cup of confectioners sugar.

  2. Cover and store leftover frosting for up to 5 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer. After freezing, thaw in the refrigerator then beat the frosting for a few seconds so it’s creamy again.

Frosting from Sally’s Baking Addiction

Notes

  • The listed frosting quantities make one standard batch. Make 1 1/2 batches for enough frosting to cover both 9-inch cake layers fully.

Originally from She Wears Many Hats