Sweet Potato Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe

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If you’re craving a dessert that perfectly captures the cozy vibes of autumn with a soft, tender crumb and warm spices, then you’re in for a treat with this Sweet Potato Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe. This cake marries the natural sweetness and vibrant color of mashed sweet potatoes with a luscious cinnamon swirl and a dreamy vanilla glaze, creating a deliciously unique twist on classic cinnamon rolls. It’s perfect for brunch, dessert, or whenever you want a comforting, homemade sweet that’s both nostalgic and fresh.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering these simple yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients is the first step towards making a cake that’s moist, flavorful, and packed with spice. Each one plays a crucial role in balancing sweetness, texture, and that irresistible cinnamon aroma.

• Mashed sweet potatoes: About one cup adds natural sweetness and velvety moisture to the batter.
• Granulated sugar: Provides the essential sweetness without overpowering the cake.
• Large eggs: Bind the ingredients and help create a rich, tender crumb.
• Unsalted butter (melted): Adds depth and richness without making the cake greasy.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, aromatic touch.
• All-purpose flour: The base structure that holds everything together perfectly.
• Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents work together to give the cake a gentle rise and light texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavors.
• Ground cinnamon: The star spice that comforts and warms every bite.
• Ground nutmeg: Adds a subtle, spicy undertone that complements cinnamon beautifully.
• Buttermilk: Introduces a soft tanginess and tenderizes the cake crumb.
• Brown sugar (for the swirl): Provides a rich molasses flavor and sticky, caramel-like texture.
• Powdered sugar (for the glaze): Offers a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth finish.
• Milk (for the glaze): Creates the perfect glaze consistency, balancing sweetness and smoothness.

How to Make Sweet Potato Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Dish

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9-inch round or square baking dish. This simple step ensures your cake will bake evenly and release smoothly when done, setting the stage for success.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed sweet potatoes, granulated sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Combining these first creates a creamy, luscious base full of flavor that will keep your cake moist and tender.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This mixture delivers the essential leavening and spice, ensuring every bite is perfectly fluffy and aromatic.

Step 4: Bring Wet and Dry Ingredients Together

Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture, starting and ending with the dry. This method helps prevent overmixing and guarantees a smooth, evenly combined batter with a tender crumb.

Step 5: Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Swirl

Stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter in a small bowl until you achieve a smooth blend. This rich swirl is what makes this cake truly special, offering pockets of sweet, gooey cinnamon throughout.

Step 6: Create the Swirl Effect in the Batter

Pour the cake batter into your prepared dish, then drizzle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly on top. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl it into the batter, forming that beautiful marbled cinnamon roll appearance that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat.

Step 7: Bake Until Perfect

Bake your cake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, allowing the cake to set slightly before you add the finishing touch.

Step 8: Whip Up the Vanilla Glaze

While the cake cools, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable. This glaze is the perfect sweet finishing layer that melts gently over warm cake slices, creating an irresistible shine and added flavor.

Step 9: Glaze and Serve

Once the cake has cooled slightly, drizzle the glaze generously over the surface. Slice into warm or room temperature pieces and get ready to enjoy an unforgettable fusion of spiced sweet potato and cinnamon roll goodness.

How to Serve Sweet Potato Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe

Garnishes

To turn your cake into a thing of beauty, consider dusting some extra cinnamon on top or sprinkling chopped pecans for a crunchy contrast. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream pairs beautifully and brings even more indulgence to every bite.

Side Dishes

This cake shines with simple sides like a cup of chai tea, coffee, or warm spiced cider, which enhance the cozy spiced flavors. For brunch, serve alongside crispy bacon or fresh fruit salad to balance sweet and savory elements on your plate.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your Sweet Potato Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe in charming slices on vintage plates or alongside a rustic bouquet of autumn leaves for a seasonal vibe. You can also cut it into smaller squares and serve as part of a dessert platter with nuts, cheeses, and fruit preserves to impress your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover cake stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days for optimal freshness. After that, refrigerate to preserve moisture and flavor, but be sure to bring it back to room temperature before enjoying.

Freezing

You can freeze baked and cooled slices in tightly sealed containers or freezer bags for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm gently in the oven or microwave for a freshly baked taste any time you want.

Reheating

To revive the cake’s soft texture, reheat slices in a low oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes or microwave for 20-30 seconds. Adding a little extra drizzle of glaze or a pat of butter makes it taste freshly baked all over again.

FAQs

Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh?

Absolutely! Canned mashed sweet potatoes work fine, just be sure they’re unsweetened and drained well to avoid extra moisture in your batter.

Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, you can swap the butter and buttermilk for plant-based alternatives like vegan margarine and almond milk mixed with a splash of lemon juice to mimic buttermilk’s tang.

What type of cinnamon is best for the swirl?

Ground Ceylon cinnamon offers a mild, sweet flavor, but regular Cassia cinnamon works perfectly if that’s what you have on hand – both will deliver delicious cinnamon warmth.

Can I use a different type of sugar in the cinnamon swirl?

Brown sugar brings rich molasses flavor, but you can experiment with coconut sugar or turbinado sugar for a more complex taste and slight crunch.

How do I avoid the swirl sinking to the bottom?

Swirl gently, and avoid overmixing after adding the cinnamon sugar mixture. Pouring the batter evenly and swirling just a few times creates that perfect marbled effect without sinking.

Final Thoughts

This Sweet Potato Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe is a comforting, flavorful treat that’s sure to become a favorite in your baking lineup. With its moist texture, warm spices, and luscious glaze, it feels like a big, cozy hug in cake form. I can’t wait for you to taste it and share the joy with friends and family—trust me, this one will bring smiles and seconds at your table!

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