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EASY! Sweet Potato Cake (Gâteau Patate Douce)

This Sweet Potato Cake is inspired by a popular traditional dessert of Reunion Island known as Gâteau Patate Douce, a unique dessert made from cooked sweetpotato flavored with vanilla and rum.
Prep Time30 minutes
Bake Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: Reunion Island
Keyword: Easy Sweet Potato Cake, Sweet Potato Cake from Reunion Island
Servings: 6
Author: kanthi

Equipment

  • 18 cm Baking Pan
  • Food Processor

Ingredients

For Cake Batter

  • 500 g sweet potatoes cooked
  • 100 g sugar
  • 1 egg at room temperature
  • 1 egg yolk at room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon of rum
  • 100 ml milk or coconut milk at room temperature
  • 50 g butter melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon ground nuts optional

For Egg Wash

  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon water

Instructions

  • Wash the sweet potatoes well. Cut and soak them in water for about 5 minutes. You can peel them before cooking if you like.
  • Boil, steam, or microwave sweet potato until fork tender. I used steamed sweet potatoes and peeled them after cooking.
  • Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease a baking pan and line the base with parchment paper. I used an 18 cm springform pan.
  • Mash the potato while it is still slightly hot in a food processor. (You can also mash the potatoes by hand and then make the batter in a bowl)
  • Add the sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, rum, and salt. Gradually add milk, pulsing in between. Once you achieve doughy consistency, don’t add any more.
  • Add softened butter and process until just combined.
  • Add the ground nuts, cinnamon, if using. Process for a few seconds until just combined.
  • Spread the batter in the prepared pan and smooth the top.
  • Use a fork to create a pattern as you like (A grid pattern is common). Whisk together the egg yolk and water to make the egg wash. Brush the top of the cake with egg wash. (You can also create the pattern after egg washing)
  • Bake at 200 for about 20 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Temperature and time vary according to the oven, so make sure to adjust as needed.
  • Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Gently remove the side ring. Brush the top with honey or apricot jam, if you like.
  • You can serve it warm or cold. If you like it cold, chill it in the refrigerator for about 4 hours. Serve & enjoy!

Notes

How to make the cake mixture by hand? In a bowl, mash the cooked sweet potatoes with a fork while it is hot. In a separate bowl, beat the egg, egg yolk, sugar, salt, rum, and vanilla. Add half of the milk and mix. (Do not add all the milk at once). Add the mashed potatoes to the egg mixture and mix until just combined. Add more milk as needed until you have a doughy mixture. Add melted butter and mix until just combined. Add ground nuts and cinnamon if using and mix until just combined.