Ever wondered how to make a sweet potato cake that's not just delicious but also healthy? Well, you're in luck because today, we're diving into the ultimate recipe for sweet potato cake that's moist, easy to make, and packed with all the good stuff.
Sweet potatoes are basically nature's multivitamin. They're packed with fiber, vitamins A and C, and a bunch of other nutrients that make you feel like a superhero. So, not only are you indulging in a delicious cake, but you're also doing your body a solid. Talk about a win-win!
You don't need to be a culinary whiz to pull this off. The prep is simple, and you'll be using a large bowl and a bundt pan—no fancy equipment required. Plus, the cake batter comes together in a snap, especially if you opt for canned sweet potato puree.
This scrumptious creation can easily be a dessert but we won't judge if you have a slice for breakfast with a cup of coffee or even better, golden milk. Inspired by our popular pumpkin cake and banana bread, this cake takes it up a notch with its light and fluffy texture, making it perfect for any occasion.
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💚 Why You'll Love It
- Nutrient-Packed
- Easy-Peasy
- Vegan-Friendly
- Moist & Fluffy
- Versatile
🧾 Ingredients
The cake ingredients that make it SO good are:
- Sweet Potato Puree: This is the star of the show, providing natural sweetness and moisture, plus a boatload of nutrients. We used steamed, mashed sweet potatoes made with fresh sweet potatoes, but canned sweet potatoes as perfect.
- All-Purpose Flour: It gives the cake structure and fluffiness, ensuring it's not too dense.
- Coconut Sugar: Adds a caramel-like sweetness and depth of flavor, making the cake irresistibly good.
- Coconut Oil or Vegetable Oil: Ensures the cake is moist and tender, while also adding a subtle tropical or neutral flavor.
- Flax Meal: Acts as a vegan egg substitute, helping to bind the ingredients together and add some fiber.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens up the flavors and interacts with the baking soda for a perfect rise. It also helps to make the flax egg/plant milk mixture curdle.
- Plant Milk (Soy or Oat Milk Preferable): Adds moisture and helps blend the flavors while keeping it all plant-based.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix or Mix of Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Cloves: Bring in the warm, comforting spices that make this cake a year-round favorite.
- Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise, giving it that light and airy texture we all love.
- Baking Soda: Works with the lemon juice to ensure the cake rises evenly and has a tender crumb.
- Optional: Vanilla extract adds an extra layer of aroma and sweetness, making the cake even more delectable.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions
- All-Purpose Flour: You can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free option. Almond flour can also work but may alter the texture slightly.
- Coconut Sugar or Brown Sugar: Maple syrup, learn how to make date paste, and use it here, or use agave nectar. * If you use liquid sweeteners reduce the amount of plant milk accordingly.
- Coconut Oil or Vegetable Oil: Applesauce or mashed avocado can be used as a healthier fat alternative, though it may make the cake slightly denser. You can also use vegan unsalted butter.
- Flax Meal: Chia seeds soaked in water can be used as a binding agent if you're out of flax meal.
- Lemon Juice: Apple cider vinegar can replace lemon juice to make the plant-milk curdle.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix: A homemade blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves can be used if you don't have pumpkin pie spice on hand.
- Baking Powder: If you're out, you can make your own by mixing cream of tartar with baking soda.
- Baking Soda: You can use double the amount of baking powder as a substitute, but it may affect the rise and texture.
- Vanilla Extract Substitutes: you can use almond or vanilla bean for flavor.
🍽 Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Spatula
- Loaf Pan
🔪 Instructions
Crank up that oven to 350°F!
Step 1: While it's heating, give your loaf pan a quick spritz with some non-dairy cooking spray and some flour.
Step 2: Mix your flax meal with plant milk and a splash of lemon. Let it chill for about 5-10 minutes to get all eggy, creating a flaxy vegan buttermilk.
Step 3: Grab a big bowl and sift in your flour, coconut sugar, and all those powdery pals.
Step 4: Time to marry the wet and dry mixes! Fold them together gently.
Step 5: No need to go nuts; just make sure there are no dry loners.
Step 6: Add optional vanilla extract.
Step 7: Integrate well.
Step 8: Spread that beautiful batter into your prepped pan. Make sure it's nice and even. Into the oven, it goes! Bake for 35-40 minutes; you'll know it's ready when a toothpick plays it clean.
Step 9: After baking, let the sweet potato cake cool completely in the pan for about 10 minutes.
Hint: sprinkle some coconut sugar on top to get a caramelized finish.
Step 10: Then, free it onto a wire rack to cool down all the way.
Step 11: Cut the cooled cake into that beauty and serve it up! Feel like a dollop of vegan cream cheese frosting or powdered sugar? Go for it!
💡 Expert tips
Perfect Puree: For the best texture and flavor, use homemade sweet potato puree. Steam or bake the sweet potatoes until they're super soft, then mash them thoroughly. This will give your cake a naturally sweet and moist base.
Sift for Success: Always sift your dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, and spices. This not only prevents lumps but also aerates the mixture, resulting in a lighter, fluffier cake.
Gentle Folding: When combining your wet and dry ingredients, use a folding technique rather than vigorous mixing. This approach prevents overworking the batter, which can lead to a denser cake. Aim for a uniform mixture, but don't worry about a few small lumps.
Bake it Right: Keep an eye on your cake as it bakes. Oven temperatures can vary, so start checking for doneness a few minutes before the recommended time. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Cooling Patience: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. This helps the cake set and prevents it from breaking apart. Once it's completely cool, you can slice it up and enjoy!
🥢 How to serve
With Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting: Elevate your cake game by slathering a generous layer of vegan cream cheese frosting or vegan buttercream frosting on top. It adds a tangy contrast to the sweet and spiced cake, making each bite a flavor explosion.
A la Mode: Serve a slice warm with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream. The cold ice cream melts into the warm cake, creating a heavenly combo that's hard to resist.
Sweet Potato Cake Parfait: Layer crumbled cake, coconut whipped cream, and chopped pecans in a glass. Drizzle with a little maple syrup and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon for a deconstructed yet equally delicious experience.
📖 Variations
Nutty Twist: Add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for some extra crunch and flavor. Mix them in just before you pour the batter into the loaf pan.
Berry Good: Toss in a cup of fresh or frozen blueberries for a fruity kick. Just make sure to coat them in a little flour first to prevent sinking.
Choco-Love: Feeling indulgent? Stir in a cup of vegan chocolate chips to the batter. It turns the cake into a sweet, chocolatey delight!
❓ FAQ
Nope, you don't have to wrap sweet potatoes when baking them. In fact, leaving them unwrapped allows the skin to get a bit crispy, which some people absolutely love. Wrapping them in foil can steam the potatoes, making the skin soft and the flesh a bit mushy. So, it's all about your texture preference! If you're using sweet potato puree for this recipe, baking them unwrapped can add a nice depth of flavor.
🥡 Storage
In the Fridge: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to a week. If you prefer to enjoy it warm, reheat a slice in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds.
Freezing: If you've got more cake than you can handle immediately, no worries! Wrap individual slices or the whole cake in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating from Frozen: When you're ready to indulge again, let the frozen cake thaw in the fridge overnight. If you're in a hurry, you can reheat it directly from the freezer. Place a slice in the microwave and heat for about 1-2 minutes, checking at 30-second intervals to prevent overheating.
📚 More delicious baking recipes
Also, try our Italian Plum Cake, Vegan Brown Sugar Peach Cake, Moist Carrot Loaf Cake, and the all-time favorite vegan apple cake.
And for even more recipes, join our Facebook Fan Page for support, inspiration & fun!
⭐ If you try this recipe, let us know! 💬 Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag us @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!
🎥 Video
📋 Recipe
Easy Sweet Potato Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 7.5 oz sweet potato puree 210 g, ½ 15-ounce can
- 1 cup all-purpose flour packed, 160 g
- ¾ cup coconut sugar 140 g, or Brown sugar
- ½ cup coconut oil melted, or vegetable oil
- 3 flax meal 3 tablespoons ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tablespoons soy milk and half lemon, let sit for 10 minutes
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 6 tablespoons plant milk soy or oat milk, preferable
- 1 ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice mix or mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Optional
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat Oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a rectangular loaf pan with non-dairy cooking spray.
- Make flax eggs. Combine flax meal, plant milk, and lemon. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Dry Mix. In a large bowl, sift the flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Give it a good whisk to make sure everything is well-mixed.
- Wet Mix. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sweet potato puree, coconut oil, and flax eggs. Make sure it's all well combined.
- Combine ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold them together. Don't overmix; just make sure there are no dry spots.
- Pour batter. Evenly distribute the batter into a prepared loaf pan with oil spary and flour to avoid sticking.
- Bake Time. Pop them into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. You'll know they're done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Down. Let the loaves cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Then, remove them from the pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
- Serve & Enjoy. Slice it up and serve slightly warm or at room temperature. You can even add a dollop of vegan cream cheese frosting if you're feeling fancy!
Video
Nutrition Facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our full Nutritional Disclosure here.
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As the lead content writer and recipe developer at Our Plant-Based World, he combines his passion for health and sustainability with a Plant-Based Nutrition Certification to create accessible, delicious vegan recipes. His expertise in plant-based cooking supports the blog's mission of fostering a healthier, environmentally conscious lifestyle through simple and seasonal dishes. His commitment to making vegan cooking enjoyable and inclusive for everyone shines in each recipe and article.
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