🎉 Introduction
There’s something truly special about the way sweet potatoes can transform into the most comforting desserts. Sweet Potato Pound/Pudding is one of those rare creations that combines the best of both worlds — the richness of a traditional pound cake and the creamy smoothness of a pudding.
This recipe is soft, moist, and deeply flavorful, blending warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg with the natural sweetness of mashed sweet potatoes. The result is a dessert that feels luxurious yet homey, elegant enough for guests but simple enough for everyday baking.
Every bite is pure comfort — buttery, tender, and gently spiced, with a hint of vanilla that ties everything together. Whether served warm with a drizzle of cream or enjoyed at room temperature with coffee, this Sweet Potato Pound/Pudding embodies what every dessert should be: wholesome, flavorful, and made with love.
If you’re looking for a recipe that bridges nostalgia and elegance, this is it. Let’s bake a dessert that feels like a cozy embrace and tastes like a Southern classic reinvented for today’s kitchen.
🧰 Equipment Needed
To make this beautifully comforting dessert, you’ll need:
- Large mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
- 9×5-inch loaf pan or 9-inch square baking dish
- Whisk
- Potato masher or food processor (for the sweet potatoes)
- Cooling rack
- Toothpick (for testing doneness)
Optional:
- Sifter (for flour and spices)
- Mixing spoon for folding batter gently
🛒 Ingredients
Fruits & Vegetables
- 2 cups sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
Fresh Produce
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Dairy
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup milk
Flavoring
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
- Peel and cube the sweet potatoes.
- Boil or steam until fork-tender (about 15–20 minutes).
- Drain and mash until completely smooth — or blend for an extra-silky texture.
- Let them cool slightly before adding to your batter.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour your loaf or baking dish to prevent sticking.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- This ensures even flavor distribution and helps keep the texture light.
Step 4: Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with a hand mixer until light and fluffy — about 3–4 minutes.
- This step is key for a soft, velvety crumb.
Step 5: Add Eggs and Sweet Potatoes
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the mashed sweet potatoes until smooth and creamy.
- Mix in the vanilla extract.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with milk.
- Begin and end with the flour mixture.
- Mix gently until just combined — do not overmix. The batter should be thick but smooth.
Step 7: Pour and Bake
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- The edges will be slightly golden, and the center will be moist but set — like a cross between a cake and pudding.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
- Let the dessert cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.
- Transfer to a wire rack or serve directly from the pan while slightly warm.
- For a pudding-like presentation, serve in warm slices with a drizzle of milk or cream.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 8–10
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 5 minutes
This dessert is perfect for holiday dinners, family gatherings, or a cozy night in.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature
- Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Refrigeration
- Keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Bring to room temperature before serving or warm gently in the microwave.
Freezing
- Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight before reheating.
Reheating
- Microwave each slice for 10–15 seconds for that fresh-from-the-oven warmth.
🥄 Variations
- Sweet Potato Coconut Pudding: Add ¼ cup shredded coconut and 1 tablespoon coconut milk for a tropical twist.
- Nutty Delight: Fold in ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts for texture.
- Maple Glazed Version: Drizzle with maple syrup glaze made from powdered sugar and maple syrup.
- Chocolate Swirl: Add ¼ cup melted dark chocolate to half the batter and swirl before baking.
- Spiced Holiday Edition: Add ¼ teaspoon ginger and a pinch of clove for a festive twist.
- Vegan Option: Replace butter with plant-based margarine, eggs with flax eggs, and milk with almond milk.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Is this dessert a cake or pudding?
It’s both! It has the dense, moist texture of a pound cake with the soft, rich feel of a pudding.
2. Can I use canned sweet potatoes?
Yes, just make sure they’re unsweetened and well-drained before mashing.
3. Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes, you can lower it to ¾ cup without affecting texture too much.
4. What’s the best way to mash sweet potatoes smoothly?
Use a food processor or hand mixer for the creamiest consistency.
5. Can I add frosting instead of glaze?
Yes! A thin cream cheese frosting pairs beautifully with this cake.
6. How can I make it dairy-free?
Use vegan butter and non-dairy milk (like oat or almond).
7. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, it keeps wonderfully and the flavor deepens overnight.
8. Can I bake it in mini pans?
Yes — adjust the bake time to 25–30 minutes for smaller pans.
9. What type of milk works best?
Whole milk gives the richest texture, but 2% or plant-based milk also works.
10. How can I serve this for guests?
Top with a dusting of powdered sugar, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
🏁 Conclusion
Sweet Potato Pound/Pudding is the ultimate dessert where comfort truly meets elegance. It’s rich but light, simple but sophisticated — a recipe that turns humble ingredients into something extraordinary.
The buttery base, spiced sweetness, and velvety texture make it a dessert that brings people together. Whether you serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream or enjoy a slice with your morning coffee, it’s a little taste of heaven on a plate.
This dish proves that you don’t need complicated steps or fancy ingredients to make something memorable — just wholesome ingredients, a touch of spice, and a generous helping of love.
So preheat your oven, mash those sweet potatoes, and treat yourself to this decadent yet comforting dessert. It’s a recipe you’ll come back to every season — because true comfort never goes out of style.

Sweet Potato Pound/Pudding: Where Comfort Meets Elegance – A Decadent Twist on a Classic Dessert
Method
- Peel and cube the sweet potatoes.
- Boil or steam until fork-tender (about 15–20 minutes).
- Drain and mash until completely smooth — or blend for an extra-silky texture.
- Let them cool slightly before adding to your batter.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour your loaf or baking dish to prevent sticking.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- This ensures even flavor distribution and helps keep the texture light.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with a hand mixer until light and fluffy — about 3–4 minutes.
- This step is key for a soft, velvety crumb.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the mashed sweet potatoes until smooth and creamy.
- Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with milk.
- Begin and end with the flour mixture.
- Mix gently until just combined — do not overmix. The batter should be thick but smooth.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- The edges will be slightly golden, and the center will be moist but set — like a cross between a cake and pudding.
- Let the dessert cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.
- Transfer to a wire rack or serve directly from the pan while slightly warm.
- For a pudding-like presentation, serve in warm slices with a drizzle of milk or cream.
Notes
Room Temperature Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. Refrigeration Keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving or warm gently in the microwave. Freezing Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating. Reheating Microwave each slice for 10–15 seconds for that fresh-from-the-oven warmth. 🥄 Variations Sweet Potato Coconut Pudding: Add ¼ cup shredded coconut and 1 tablespoon coconut milk for a tropical twist. Nutty Delight: Fold in ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts for texture. Maple Glazed Version: Drizzle with maple syrup glaze made from powdered sugar and maple syrup. Chocolate Swirl: Add ¼ cup melted dark chocolate to half the batter and swirl before baking. Spiced Holiday Edition: Add ¼ teaspoon ginger and a pinch of clove for a festive twist. Vegan Option: Replace butter with plant-based margarine, eggs with flax eggs, and milk with almond milk. ❓ 10 FAQs 1. Is this dessert a cake or pudding?
It’s both! It has the dense, moist texture of a pound cake with the soft, rich feel of a pudding. 2. Can I use canned sweet potatoes?
Yes, just make sure they’re unsweetened and well-drained before mashing. 3. Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes, you can lower it to ¾ cup without affecting texture too much. 4. What’s the best way to mash sweet potatoes smoothly?
Use a food processor or hand mixer for the creamiest consistency. 5. Can I add frosting instead of glaze?
Yes! A thin cream cheese frosting pairs beautifully with this cake. 6. How can I make it dairy-free?
Use vegan butter and non-dairy milk (like oat or almond). 7. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, it keeps wonderfully and the flavor deepens overnight. 8. Can I bake it in mini pans?
Yes — adjust the bake time to 25–30 minutes for smaller pans. 9. What type of milk works best?
Whole milk gives the richest texture, but 2% or plant-based milk also works. 10. How can I serve this for guests?
Top with a dusting of powdered sugar, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. 🏁 Conclusion Sweet Potato Pound/Pudding is the ultimate dessert where comfort truly meets elegance. It’s rich but light, simple but sophisticated — a recipe that turns humble ingredients into something extraordinary. The buttery base, spiced sweetness, and velvety texture make it a dessert that brings people together. Whether you serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream or enjoy a slice with your morning coffee, it’s a little taste of heaven on a plate. This dish proves that you don’t need complicated steps or fancy ingredients to make something memorable — just wholesome ingredients, a touch of spice, and a generous helping of love. So preheat your oven, mash those sweet potatoes, and treat yourself to this decadent yet comforting dessert. It’s a recipe you’ll come back to every season — because true comfort never goes out of style.
