Grandma’s Southern Sweet Potato Pound (Print Format)

Sweet potato adds tender, moist texture to this classic Southern cake with cinnamon and nutmeg.

# Ingredients:

→ For the Cake

01 - 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes (about 2–3 medium sweet potatoes)
02 - 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
03 - 2 cups granulated sugar
04 - 1/2 cup brown sugar
05 - 4 large eggs
06 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
08 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/2 cup whole milk or buttermilk

→ Optional Glaze

15 - 1 cup powdered sugar
16 - 2–3 tablespoons milk
17 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

# Steps:

01 - Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into chunks. Boil or bake them until soft, then mash until smooth. Let them cool completely before using.
02 - Preheat your oven to 165°C (325°F). Grease and flour a bundt or loaf pan to prevent sticking.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This step is key for a soft texture.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
05 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
06 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.
07 - Fold in the mashed sweet potatoes until evenly incorporated. The batter will be thick and creamy.
08 - Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 70–80 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
09 - Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to create a smooth glaze. Drizzle over the cooled cake.

# Tips:

01 - Ensure sweet potatoes are fully cooled before adding to batter.
02 - Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense or tough cake.
03 - Baking time may vary depending on your oven—check at 70 minutes.
04 - Always grease the pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.

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