If you’re a fan of sweet potatoes, you might be looking for new and exciting ways to incorporate them into your baking repertoire. Fortunately, sweet potatoes are an incredibly versatile ingredient that can be used in a wide variety of baked goods, from bread to muffins to pies.
Why Sweet Potatoes?
Before we dive into the recipes, let’s take a moment to talk about why sweet potatoes are such a great choice for baking. For starters, sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
They also have a naturally sweet flavor that pairs well with a variety of other ingredients, from cinnamon to nutmeg to vanilla.
In addition to being nutritious and tasty, sweet potatoes also add moisture and texture to baked goods.
This can be especially helpful in gluten-free baking, where finding the right combination of ingredients to create a moist and fluffy texture can be a challenge.
Recipes
Without further ado, here are some delicious recipes for baking with sweet potatoes:
1. Sweet Potato Bread
This recipe for sweet potato bread is a great way to use up any leftover sweet potatoes you might have on hand. The bread is moist, tender, and lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s perfect for breakfast or as an afternoon snack.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked and mashed sweet potato
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sweet potato, vegetable oil, eggs, and water.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan and transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Sweet Potato Muffins
These sweet potato muffins are a great way to start your day on a healthy and delicious note. They’re made with almond flour and sweetened with maple syrup, so they’re gluten-free and refined sugar-free. They’re also packed with protein and fiber, thanks to the almond flour and sweet potato.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked and mashed sweet potato
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a muffin tin with cooking spray or butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sweet potato, eggs, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla extract.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each muffin cup about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the muffins to cool for 10 minutes before removing them from the tin and transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Sweet Potato Pie
No list of sweet potato baked goods would be complete without sweet potato pie. This classic Southern dessert is rich, creamy, and spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. It’s perfect for holidays or any occasion that calls for a little indulgence.
Ingredients:
- 1 9-inch pie crust
- 2 cups cooked and mashed sweet potato
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sweet potato, brown sugar, eggs, heavy cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pie crust and smooth it out with a spatula.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the filling is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the pie to cool to room temperature before slicing and serving.
Tips and Tricks
If you’re new to baking with sweet potatoes, here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind:
- When using sweet potato in place of pumpkin or butternut squash, you may need to adjust the spices in your recipe to suit the slightly different flavor profile.
- To cook sweet potatoes for baking, you can either roast them in the oven or boil them until tender. Once they’re cooked, simply mash them with a fork or potato masher until smooth.
- If you’re using sweet potato in a recipe that also calls for flour, try using half sweet potato puree and half flour. This can help to add moisture and sweetness to your baked goods while also reducing the amount of flour needed.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of sweet potatoes. While the orange-fleshed varieties are the most commonly used in baking, you can also try using purple or white sweet potatoes for a different flavor and texture.
FAQs
Sweet potatoes are often considered to be a healthier option than regular potatoes, as they contain more vitamins, minerals, and fiber. However, both types of potatoes can be part of a healthy and balanced diet.
Yes, you can use canned sweet potato puree in place of fresh sweet potato puree in most recipes. Just be sure to check the ingredient list and choose a brand that doesn’t contain any additives or preservatives.
Yes, you can use sweet potatoes in place of pumpkin in most recipes. However, keep in mind that the flavor and texture may be slightly different, so you may need to adjust the spices or other ingredients accordingly. In general, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are the best option for baking, as they have a similar texture and flavor to pumpkin.
Sweet potato baked goods can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze sweet potato baked goods for longer storage. To freeze, wrap the baked goods tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in a freezer-safe container. They will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Sweet potato itself is gluten-free, but not all sweet potato baked goods are gluten-free. If you’re following a gluten-free diet, be sure to check the ingredients in your recipe and use gluten-free flour and other ingredients as needed.
Conclusion
Sweet potatoes are a delicious and nutritious ingredient that can add a unique twist to your favorite baked goods. Whether you’re making bread, muffins, or pie, there are countless ways to incorporate sweet potato into your baking.
So next time you’re looking for a new recipe to try, consider reaching for this versatile root vegetable and see what delicious creations you can come up with!
