Description
Indulgent sweet potato cake with maple pecan glaze celebrates Southern comfort baking with rustic charm. Warm spices and nutty maple notes create a delectable dessert that connects tradition and innovation, inviting you to savor each delightful slice.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups sweet potatoes, mashed
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
Spices and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
Maple Pecan Glaze:
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to ensure easy cake removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, baking powder, and baking soda until perfectly combined and aerated.
- In a separate bowl, cream together granulated sugar, mashed sweet potatoes, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes smooth and homogeneous.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just incorporated, being careful not to overmix the batter.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula to create a uniform surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with minimal crumbs.
- Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan for approximately 1 hour.
- For the maple pecan glaze, melt unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in maple syrup and powdered sugar until silky and smooth.
- Once the cake has cooled, drizzle the warm glaze evenly over the surface, immediately sprinkling chopped pecans on top for added texture and flavor.
- Let the glaze set for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving the sweet potato cake.
Notes
- Always use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and consistent texture throughout the cake.
- Grate or mash sweet potatoes finely to prevent chunky bits that might disrupt the cake’s delicate crumb.
- Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version, maintaining the same measurements.
- Reduce sugar by 25% and use alternative sweeteners like coconut sugar or monk fruit for a lower-glycemic option that still delivers rich flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 366 kcal
- Sugar: 37 g
- Sodium: 156 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 64 mg