How To Cook The Most Delicious Sweet Potato Butter Cake

Sweet Potato Butter Cake is not just another dessert—it’s a heartwarming hug in cake form. Blending the earthy sweetness of cooked sweet potato puree with the rich, buttery crumb of a classic pound cake, this treat has become a cherished staple in my kitchen.

I still remember the first time I baked this cake. It was autumn, and my grandmother—whose old-fashioned cooking I grew up on—dropped by with a basket of freshly roasted sweet potatoes. Using her time-honored method, she mashed them with a touch of cinnamon and left them on the counter. Inspired, I whipped up a traditional butter cake batter and swirled in the puree. The result was divine: moist, aromatic, and deeply comforting.

That recipe caught the attention of my readers on Recipe’s Tasteful, leading me to develop this optimized version.

What Is Sweet Potato Butter Cake

Sweet potato butter cake is the ultimate comfort dessert, combining the best of both worlds—the rich, tender crumb of a butter cake and the moist, earthy depth of sweet potatoes. Every bite of sweet potato butter cake delivers cozy, home-baked goodness with a perfectly balanced flavor. Whether you serve it at a family gathering, holiday dinner, or as a simple treat with coffee, sweet potato butter cake fits any occasion.

This cake has become a favorite because of its moist texture and nostalgic flavor. If you’re already a fan of sweet potato desserts, then sweet potato butter cake will instantly become a must-bake in your kitchen. Its warmth and richness make it ideal not just for fall, but all year round.

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How To Cook The Most Delicious Sweet Potato Butter Cake

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• Author: Olivia
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings
• Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Sweet Potato Butter Cake combines the rich, buttery texture of a classic cake with the natural sweetness and moisture of sweet potato puree. Perfectly spiced and incredibly moist, it’s a comforting dessert ideal for fall or any time of year.

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Ingredients

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• 1 1/2 cups cooked sweet potato puree
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup buttermilk

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
5. Mix in sweet potato puree until combined.
6. Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
7. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
8. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Allow cake to cool in pan before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Make sure your sweet potato puree is smooth and well-drained to avoid extra moisture in the batter.
• Do not overmix the batter once you add the flour to keep the cake tender.
• You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for creaming the butter and sugar.
• Optional: add cinnamon or nutmeg for extra warmth and flavor.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 22g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 17g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 85mg

Find it online: https://recipestasteful.com/sweet-potato-butter-cake/

Ingredients Overview

To create a delicious and fluffy sweet potato butter cake, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 1 and 1/2 cups cooked sweet potato puree
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 and 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup buttermilk

This lineup is key to a perfectly balanced sweet potato butter cake. Each ingredient plays an essential role in making sure your sweet potato butter cake turns out tender, moist, and delicious every time. Compared to a typical pound cake, sweet potato butter cake delivers enhanced flavor and a softer, more luscious crumb.

If you’ve never baked with sweet potatoes before, sweet potato butter cake is a great place to start. It’s simpler than you might think and highly rewarding. It also ties beautifully into other classics.

Why Sweet Potatoes?

Sweet potatoes are the heart of any great sweet potato butter cake. Their natural sugars add warmth and subtle sweetness that blends beautifully with butter and vanilla. More than just a flavor booster, sweet potatoes contribute to the cake’s moist, dense-yet-light texture that defines an authentic sweet potato butter cake.

Another reason to love sweet potatoes in sweet potato butter cake is their health value. They’re packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. That means your sweet potato butter cake isn’t just delicious—it’s a bit more nutritious, too.

For those looking to simplify, sweet potato puree makes an excellent base for a 3 ingredient sweet potato cake as well, but nothing beats the full flavor experience of a well-made sweet potato butter cake.

Key Ingredients and Their Roles

Cooked Sweet Potato Puree

Cooked sweet potato puree is what makes sweet potato butter cake so moist and flavorful. When you mash and blend fresh sweet potatoes, their creamy texture integrates perfectly into the batter. Unlike canned varieties, fresh puree ensures that your sweet potato butter cake has a smoother, richer consistency. It’s the secret to achieving that irresistible crumb in every slice of sweet potato butter cake.

Unsalted Butter and Sugar

No sweet potato butter cake is complete without butter and sugar. Butter delivers that essential rich, melt-in-your-mouth feel. It pairs naturally with the sweet potato to create a signature taste that defines sweet potato butter cake.

Sugar, meanwhile, is more than just a sweetener. It helps the cake achieve a golden-brown crust and balances the earthy notes of the sweet potatoes. Proper creaming of butter and sugar gives your sweet potato butter cake the lift and fluffiness you’re aiming for.

Whether you’re trying a traditional sweet potato butter cake, a sweet potato pound cake, or even a sweet potato butter cake with a cream cheese swirl, the combination of butter and sugar is crucial.

Eggs, Vanilla, and Buttermilk

Eggs are the glue in your sweet potato butter cake—they bind the batter and add moisture. Vanilla deepens the flavor, enhancing the buttery notes while complementing the natural sweetness of the sweet potato.

Buttermilk adds a slight tang that lifts the overall flavor of the sweet potato butter cake, keeping it from being overly sweet. It also reacts with baking soda to give the cake a perfect rise and soft crumb.

Together, these ingredients ensure that your sweet potato butter cake is flavorful, aromatic, and beautifully textured. Whether served plain, glazed, or frosted, a good sweet potato butter cake is always a showstopper.dients are what tie everything together, giving the cake its melt-in-your-mouth quality.

Step-by-Step Recipe Guide

To create the perfect sweet potato butter cake, follow this detailed baking process that ensures rich flavor and a tender crumb every time.

Preparing the Pan and Preheating the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easier removal. A properly prepared pan ensures your cake bakes evenly and comes out cleanly with that golden edge everyone loves.

Mixing the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This dry blend will help create the structure needed for your cake to rise and stay light.

Creaming the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat 1 cup of softened unsalted butter with 1 and 1/4 cups of granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes around 3 to 4 minutes with a hand or stand mixer. This step is crucial because it aerates the butter, giving your sweet potato butter cake a soft, delicate texture.

Adding Eggs and Vanilla

Crack in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Eggs help bind everything together, while vanilla enhances the cake’s warm flavor profile.

Mixing in the Sweet Potato Puree

Next, fold in 1 and 1/2 cups of cooked sweet potato puree. The sweet potato adds natural sweetness and moisture, which makes the cake incredibly rich without becoming heavy. If you’re curious about a more minimal take, some versions like the 3 ingredient sweet potato cake featured on CookTune simplify this step using just eggs, puree, and flour.

Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients

Add the dry mixture in three parts, alternating with 1/2 cup of buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry mix. Stir just until combined to avoid overworking the batter, which can lead to a dense texture.

Baking the Cake

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth out the surface. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Oven temperatures can vary, so start checking around the 45-minute mark.

Cooling and Serving

Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan. Once cool, cut it into squares and serve as is, or dress it up with a simple powdered sugar glaze or a dollop of whipped cream. The richness of the butter, combined with the smooth texture of the sweet potato, makes this a true comfort dessert.

If you’re someone who loves classic southern desserts, this cake will remind you of an old fashioned sweet potato butter cake, similar to the ones shared on Grandma Recipes Flash. Their take often includes warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, adding that nostalgic flavor we associate with holiday tables.

Many home bakers also enjoy transforming this base recipe into something slightly richer, like a sweet potato pound cake with cream cheese glaze, which is another delicious take also featured on CookTune. And if you’re tight on time but still want a delicious dessert, an easy sweet potato cake recipe lets you skip the extras while still getting a moist, flavorful result.

The beauty of sweet potato butter cake is its adaptability. Whether you’re exploring a deeply indulgent sweet potato pound cake or just trying to recreate the warmth of an old fashioned sweet potato cake recipe, this step-by-step guide gives you a reliable foundation.

Variations

One of the best things about sweet potato butter cake is how many delicious twists you can give it.

• Old-fashioned sweet potato butter cake with warming spice: Inspired by a version on Grandma Recipes Flash, add 1 teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the batter for cozy flavor.
• Sweet potato pound cake with cream cheese glaze: Inspired by CookTune’s rich dessert, bake the cake in a loaf pan and top it with a tangy cream cheese frosting after cooling for an indulgent treat.
• Easy sweet potato pound cake recipe: For those short on time, this simplified approach uses only basic pantry ingredients and follows the same mixing method—just pour into a loaf pan and bake.
• 3-ingredient sweet potato cake: For an ultra-simple version, combine only sweet potato puree, eggs, and flour. It’s quick, fuss-free, and still tastes delicious.
• Easy sweet potato cake recipe: This option limits steps and skips the creaming process altogether. Mix everything in one bowl, pour, and bake—great when you need something fast and satisfying.

With these variations, you’re not just baking—you’re experimenting with flavors and textures, from classic pound cake richness to simple, everyday sweetness.

Expert Tips & Common Questions

Why soak sweet potatoes before baking?

Soaking sweet potato pieces in warm water before cooking can help remove excess starch and reduce baking time. This also encourages a smoother puree and more consistent moisture in your cake batter.

Can you bake sweet potatoes in butter?

Yes, roasting or sautéing sweet potatoes in butter adds a delicious caramelized flavor and buttery depth, especially in sweet potato pound cake recipes where richer taste is desired. The butter helps the sweet potato soften evenly while adding layers of taste.

Do you put butter in potato cakes?

Potatoes and butter are a classic pairing. In potato cakes (or sweet potato versions), butter adds both flavor and richness while keeping the interior moist. In our butter cake, we include a full cup of softened butter to ensure the crumb stays tender and flavored.

What does butter do for sweet potato pie?

Butter enhances the richness of the pie filling and helps create a smooth, creamy texture. It also promotes a silky mouthfeel and balances the sweetness so the pie doesn’t taste one-dimensional. In sweet potato butter cake, it plays a similar role by boosting richness and improving crumb structure.

Serving Suggestions & Storage

Toppings & Pairings

• Simple Dusting
  Sprinkle powdered sugar atop cooled cake for a sweet, elegant finish—perfect if you’re short on time.
• Whipped Cream or Cream Cheese Frosting
  A lightly sweetened whipped cream or a tangy cream cheese frosting enhances the cake beautifully. For a richer twist, top it like the sweet potato pound cake with cream cheese versions featured on CookTune—add a drizzle or swirl it on thick.
• Glazed or Spiced Syrup
  Make a maple-cinnamon syrup by heating maple syrup with a dash of cinnamon. Pour it over warm slices for added moisture and a fall-inspired feel.
• Serve with Ice Cream or Yogurt
  Pair warm cake slices with vanilla ice cream, Greek yogurt, or pumpkin-spiced gelato to add cool contrast.

Storage Tips

• Room Temperature
  Store sliced or whole cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Refrigeration
  Keep cake topped with frosting, glaze, or cream cheese frosting in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
• Freezing
  Wrap slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. It keeps well for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.

Proper storage preserves moisture and flavor, making this an ideal recipe to bake ahead for gatherings.

Health & Nutrition Info

Calories & Macro Balance

An average slice (~1/12th of the cake) contains approximately 300–350 calories, with about:

• 10–15g fat (mostly from butter)
• 40–45g carbohydrates (from flour, sweet potato, and sugar)
• 3–5g protein (from eggs)

For a slightly lighter version, try substituting half the butter with Greek yogurt and reducing sugar by 1/4 cup. You’ll still enjoy moist texture and flavor with fewer calories.

Making It Lighter or Vegan

• Lighter version: Replace half the butter with unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana. Reduce sugar by 1/4 cup and use low-fat buttermilk or yogurt.
• Vegan option: Use plant-based butter, substitute eggs with flax or chia “eggs” (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 2½ tablespoons water per egg), and use non-dairy milk with 1 teaspoon vinegar to mimic buttermilk.

These swaps retain moist texture and flavor while accommodating dietary needs.

Conclusion

Sweet potato butter cake is more than just a dessert—it’s a blend of rich, comforting flavors and dairy-enhanced texture that elevates traditional pound cake. The smooth sweet potato puree gives natural sweetness and moisture, while butter delivers softness and depth. Whether you enjoy the classic or explore variations like the sweet potato pound cake with cream cheese glaze, this cake offers versatility and delight at every bite.

Try pairing warm slices with vanilla ice cream, or wrap it up for later—it stores beautifully and even freezes well. With easy substitutions, you can lighten it, veganize it, or spice it up. My hope is this recipe becomes a go-to for cozy treats and festive gatherings alike.

Explore my old-fashioned sweet potato cake recipe or my quick easy sweet potato pound cake for more delicious ideas.

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