Homemade Sweet Potato Bread with Cinnamon Swirl
Indulge in the warm and comforting flavors of fall with this delightful homemade sweet potato bread. The addition of a cinnamon swirl takes this bread to the next level, creating a treat that's perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy afternoon snack. Let's get baking and fill your kitchen with the enticing aroma of sweet potatoes and cinnamon!
Ingredients:
For the Sweet Potato Bread:
- 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes (about 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
2. Prepare Sweet Potatoes:
- Peel, cube, and boil the sweet potatoes until tender. Mash them with a fork or potato masher until smooth. Measure out 1 cup of mashed sweet potatoes.
3. Make the Cinnamon Swirl:
- In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. Set aside.
4. Prepare the Sweet Potato Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mix until well combined.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in the mashed sweet potatoes until evenly distributed.
5. Assemble the Bread:
- Pour half of the sweet potato batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the batter.
- Add the remaining batter on top, and finish by sprinkling the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture.
6. Swirl the Batter:
- Use a knife or skewer to swirl the cinnamon sugar through the batter, creating a marbled effect.
7. Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool and Slice:
- Allow the sweet potato bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Tips for Perfect Sweet Potato Bread:
- Sweet Potato Preparation:
Boil or roast the sweet potatoes until they are soft and mashable. This ensures a smooth texture in the bread.
- Cinnamon Swirl Technique: Use a gentle swirling motion with the knife to create a marbled effect without fully mixing the cinnamon sugar into the batter.
- Buttermilk Substitute:
If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by mixing 1/2 cup milk with 1/2 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for a few minutes before using.
Enjoy the delightful aroma and taste of fall with each slice of this homemade sweet potato bread. Whether enjoyed with a cup of coffee in the morning or as an afternoon treat, this bread is sure to become a seasonal favorite.
