Sweet Potato Cake

By Lena AbrahamUpdated: Jul 12, 2023

3.5

2 Ratings

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sweet potato cake with marshmallow fluff frosting and pecans

PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

If sweet potatoes + marshmallows are a must-have combo for you, let us introduce your new favorite fall dessert. This spiced sweet potato cake is taken truly over the top by a marshmallow fluff-based frosting. With a tender, moist cake and a fluffy, sweet frosting, this cake just might be the new star of your Thanksgiving celebration.

How do we get that signature sweet potato flavor, you may ask? We combine over 2 cups of mashed sweet potatoes into our cake to really pack in that flavor and create a tender cake. New to preparing sweet potatoes? Follow our mashed potatoes recipe, but skip adding all the butter, milk, and syrup.

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below!

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Yields:: 12 serving(s)
Prep Time:: 30 mins
Total Time:: 2 hrs
Cal/Serv:: 649

Ingredients

For cake

2 1/2 c.
all-purpose flour
2 tsp.
baking soda
2 tsp.
baking powders
1 tsp.
kosher salt
1 tbsp.
ground ginger
1/2 tsp.
ground cloves
1/4 tsp.
ground nutmeg
1 c.
(2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 3/4 c.
granulated sugar
1/4 c.
brown sugar
3
large eggs
2 tsp.
pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 c.
mashed sweet potatoes
1 c.
buttermilk

For frosting

1 c.
(2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1
(7-oz.) container marshmallow fluff (about 2 cups)
1/2 tsp.
kosher salt
2 c.
powdered sugar

Chopped toasted pecans, for garnish

Directions

1. Step 1Preheat oven to 350°, grease 2 9" cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
2. Step 2Make cakes: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking, soda, baking powder, salt, and spices.
3. Step 3In another large bowl using a hand mixer, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then beat in vanilla and sweet potatoes until just combined.
4. Step 4Add half the dry ingredients and half the buttermilk and beat on low to combine. Repeat with the remaining dry ingredients and the remaining buttermilk and beat until just combined.
5. Step 5Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans and bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool on a cooling rack while you make your frosting.
6. Step 6Make frosting: In a large bowl using a hand mixer, add butter and beat on medium-high speed until smooth. Add marshmallow fluff, salt, and 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar and beat until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and continue adding sugar 1/2 cup at a time until frosting is completely smooth and looks fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes.
7. Step 7Spread one round cake layer with marshmallow frosting, then place second cake on top of it. Frost top of cake, then sprinkle pecans around the outer edge of the top cake.