Southern Sweet Potato Cake
A true Southern classic! This moist, tender sweet potato cake is warmly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, then topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday gathering.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls for dry and wet ingredients
- Hand or stand mixer for cake and frosting
- Two 9-inch round cake pans greased and floured
- Wire Rack for cooling cakes
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes (about 2–3 medium)
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 2 tbsp milk (as needed for frosting)
Instructions
- Peel and chop sweet potatoes. Boil 15–20 minutes until fork tender. Drain, cool, and mash until smooth.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, and oil. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in mashed sweet potatoes and vanilla.
- Gradually add dry mixture to wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Divide batter evenly into pans. Bake 25–30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pans, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, then beat until fluffy. Mix in vanilla. Add milk 1 tbsp at a time if frosting is too thick.
- Place one cake layer on a serving platter. Spread frosting on top. Place second layer over it and frost top and sides. Garnish with toasted pecans if desired.
Notes
You can substitute canned sweet potato puree (not pie filling) for fresh. For an extra touch, garnish with toasted pecans before serving.