By Ali Domrongchai
TheKitchn.com
Although there are more robust ingredients that come to mind when people think of fall flavors—pumpkin, apple, and maple, to name a few—to me, it’s all about sweet potatoes. The growing season goes up until the first frost, and until then my family grows bunches and bunches of the sweet, starchy vegetable. My favorite thing to make with sweet potatoes? A sweet potato cake.
I’m the designated baker in my friend group, and throughout fall I make a sweet potato sheet cake because it’s quick, easy, and feeds a crowd. Cream cheese frosting adds a nice zesty, creamy contrast to the cake. Sweet potatoes are sweet and earthy, and when cooked and added to a cake batter they lend structure and moisture, and make for a delicious not-too-sweet treat. Add a bit of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg? It’s fall in a cake.
Why You’ll Love It
- The cake is so moist. Sweet potato adds moisture and makes for a velvety crumb.
- It feeds a crowd. Bake and serve the cake in a sheet pan for an easy dessert for a large group.
- The cream cheese frosting is everything. With just a few ingredients, the cream cheese frosting is silky-soft and pairs like a dream with the earthy, spiced cake.
Key Ingredients in Sweet Potato Cake
- Sweet potatoes: Not only add an earthy sweetness, but also contribute to the structure of the cake.
- Sour cream: Adds moisture and a subtle tang for balance.
- Cream cheese: Is the foundation of the frosting, which adds a nice tart sweetness to the spiced cake.
