Sweet potato bread is a delightful southern old-fashioned favorite that is perfect for autumn breakfasts, fall desserts, or simply for a satisfying snack all year round.

Packed with warm spices and a moist, dense texture, this recipe is a favorite during the fall and winter months because it delivers warm and cozy flavors.

This was inspired by my Sweet Potato Pound Cake on this site, another flavorful sweet potato dessert recipe.

Jump to:

• Ingredients to Make Sweet Potato Bread
• Instructions for Sweet Potato Bread
• Substitutions in Sweet Potato Bread Recipe
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Top tip
• FAQ
• 📖 Recipe

Ingredients to Make Sweet Potato Bread

For this sweet potato bread, you will need pretty basic ingredients to make this recipe.

• mashed sweet potatoes, homemade or canned
• granulated sugar
• vegetable oil
• eggs
• all-purpose flour
• baking powder
• ground cinnamon
• ground allspice
• ground cloves
• ground nutmeg
• salt
• milk

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions for Sweet Potato Bread

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and preparing a 9x5-inch loaf pan by spraying it with baking spray.

Next, cook 2 to 3 medium-sized sweet potatoes until they are soft and tender. Drain and mash them and add them to a large mixing bowl. You will need 1 cup of mashed sweet potatoes so use your judgement based on the size of your sweet potatoes. Alternatively, you can use canned sweet potatoes in place of fresh ones.

In the same large mixing bowl, combine the mashed sweet potato with the granulated sugar and the vegetable oil. Beat the eggs until incorporated - use room temperature eggs to incorporate them quicker. Be sure to use room temperature eggs for better incorporation.

Next, add the cinnamon, ground allspice, cloves, nutmeg, salt, and all-purpose flour to the sweet potato mixture. Add in the tablespoons of milk and stir until all ingredients are moistened and combined.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and then place the pan into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 55-60 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center of the bread to check for doneness. If it comes out clean, your sweet potato bread is ready to take out of the oven.

Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once the bread is completely cool, combine the confectioner's sugar together with milk and whisk until there are no lumps left and the icing is smooth. If needed, add additional confectioners' sugar to thicken the icing. Slowly pour the icing over the cooled sweet potato bread and allow it to harden before slicing.

Hint: Avoid overmixing the sweet potato bread batter to produce a tender flavorful cake.

Substitutions in Sweet Potato Bread Recipe

You can substitute some of the ingredients in this recipe for others. Keep in mind that substituting ingredients can alter the flavor and texture of finished baked goods.

• Canned Sweet Potatoes- Instead of making homemade sweet potatoes for this recipe you can use canned sweet potatoes in their place. Just remember to drain them before mashing.
• Milk - The tablespoon of milk can be substituted for soy milk or oat milk. It can also be substituted with sour cream.

Variations

Sweet potato bread is a versatile recipe that can be customized to your taste preferences. Here are some ideas for how to add variety to your sweet potato bread:

• Add nuts - add chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter or on top of the icing for more texture and a nutty flavor.
• Add fruit - add raisins for a chewier texture to add sweetness to this recipe.
• Skip the icing - This sweet potato bread recipe can be enjoyed without the icing.

See this Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole, a delicious side dish great for the holidays.

Equipment

To make Sweet Potato Bread, you will need a few essential kitchen tools and equipment to make this bread easy and quick.

• 9x5 inch loaf pan: You can either grease the bottom and sides of the pan with baking spray or place parchment paper in it for easy removal.
• Mixing bowl: This is a one-bowl recipe. It makes clean-up quicker!
• Electric mixer: To blend the pumpkin puree together well with the cake mix, an electric mixer is suggested to make it easier.
• Potato Masher: A potato masher makes it easy to mash sweet potatoes.

Storage

When your sweet potato bread has cooled down completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature for up to 3 to 4 days. Make sure it cools completely to prevent the bread from drying out.

This sweet potato bread can be frozen for up to three months when frozen correctly. To freeze, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap after it has cooled completely, and place it in a freezer-safe container. To defrost, remove it from the freezer and allow it to sit at room temperature for several hours before eating.

FAQ

What variations can be made on sweet potato bread?

Variations on sweet potato bread can include adding different mix-ins such as nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit. You can also add a bit of orange juice to your glaze to give it a citrusy flavor.

Is sweet potato bread healthy?

It can be. Sweet potato bread can be made healthier by making a few adjustments, such as using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour and substituting granulated sugar with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup. Sweet potatoes themselves are nutritious, as they are rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. So with a little tweaking, this sweet potato bread recipe can be healthier than the original recipe.

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