Sweet Potato Bread

Stephanie Loo
Stephanie Loo
Stephanie Loo is a pastry cook at Restaurant Daniel, and most recently worked at Blue Hill at Stone Barns. After graduating from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Stephanie worked a corporate job for a few years before making a switch to study pastry at the Institute of Culinary Education. Outside of her full-time job at the restaurant, Stephanie has written and developed recipes for Eater, Bon Appetit, Food52, and The Kitchn. Born and raised in New York City, Stephanie is a native New Yorker and can often be found eating something sweet.
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published Feb 25, 2022
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Skip traditional quick bread recipes and try this spice-packed sweet bread.

Makes1 (8x4-inch) loaf

Prep20 minutes

Cook1 hour 15 minutes

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a loaf of sweet potato bread with a slice cut out
Credit: Stephanie Loo

This sweet potato bread is ultra comforting and lightly spiced with a blend of warm spices. The roasted sweet potatoes in this recipe keep the bread tender and soft, even days after baking. Like many quick bread recipes, this loaf comes together quickly and can be easily adapted with different mix-ins, such as chopped nuts or chocolate chips. It’s an easy recipe to make with no mixer or special equipment required.

How to Make Sweet Potato Bread

The first step to making sweet potato bread is to roast a sweet potato in the oven, making sure to cook it all the way through so the flesh is extra soft. Once the sweet potato is cooked, the flesh is mashed and combined with flour, sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. This batter is then baked in a loaf pan.

How to Make Sure Your Sweet Potato Bread Isn’t Dry

The mashed sweet potato and oil help keep the bread’s crumb moist and tender. When baking the bread, make sure to test it with a toothpick to prevent over-baking. It’s ready when a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean with just a few crumbs.

Credit: Stephanie Loo

Sweet Potato Bread Add-Ins

Feel free to stir 1/2 cup of the any of the following into the batter before baking:

  • Chocolate chips
  • Chopped pecans or walnuts
  • Raisins or dried cranberries
  • Unsweetened shredded coconut
Comments

Sweet Potato Bread Recipe

Skip traditional quick bread recipes and try this spice-packed sweet bread.

Prep time 20 minutes

Cook time 1 hour 15 minutes

Makes 1 (8x4-inch) loaf

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 1

    large sweet potato (about 12 ounces)

  • Cooking spray

  • 1 teaspoon

    kosher salt

  • 3/4 teaspoon

    ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    ground nutmeg

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    ground cardamom

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    ground allspice

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    ground ginger

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons

    baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    baking soda

  • 1 cup

    canola or vegetable oil

  • 1 cup

    granulated sugar

  • 1/3 cup

    packed dark or light brown sugar

  • 3

    large eggs

  • 1 3/4 cups

    all-purpose flour

  • 1 tablespoon

    turbinado sugar

Instructions

  1. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 425°F. Prick 1 large sweet potato all over with a fork. Wrap in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Bake until tender, 45 to 50 minutes. (Alternatively, microwave on HIGH until tender, about 10 minutes.) Let cool, then scoop out the flesh into a large bowl and mash with a fork; keep 1 cup in the bowl reserve any extra for another use.

  2. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F. Move the middle rack into the lower third. Line an 8x4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper and coat with cooking spray.

  3. Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom, 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice, and 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger to the sweet potato and whisk until combined. Add 1 cup canola oil, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 1/3 cup packed brown sugar, and whisk until combined.

  4. Whisk in 3 large eggs, one at a time. Sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda over the surface of the batter and whisk vigorously until combined. Add 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour and stir until just combined. Transfer into the pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar.

  5. Bake for 40 minutes. Rotate the pan and bake until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes more. Place the pan on a wire rack and let the bread cool completely in the pan before removing and slicing.

Recipe Notes

Muffin variation: This recipe makes 15 to 18 sweet potato muffins. Bake at the same oven temperature for about 20 minutes.

Storage: Cover and store leftover bread at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and let come to room temperature before serving.

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Ingredient
Potatoes
Seasonings
pantry
Vegetables
Root Vegetables