Warm & Welcoming: The Ultimate Spiced Sweet Potato Quick Bread Recipe

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, there’s a certain warmth that only homemade baked goods can provide. This spiced sweet potato bread is the perfect embodiment of fall, offering a comforting aroma and a delightfully moist texture that will make you wish autumn could last forever. Often compared to its cousin, pumpkin bread, this quick bread stands out with its subtly different flavor profile and an incredibly light crumb, making it a fantastic alternative even for those who aren’t typically keen on sweet potatoes. It’s a versatile treat that transitions effortlessly from a breakfast staple to a delightful dessert, embodying the cozy essence of the season.

The Irresistible Flavor and Texture of Sweet Potato Bread

This sweet potato quick bread boasts a flavor that is reminiscent of a perfectly spiced cake. The natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes combines beautifully with a carefully selected blend of warm spices, creating a comforting and aromatic experience. While the recipe suggests a modest amount of spices to allow the sweet potato flavor to shine, adventurous bakers or those who adore a bolder spice kick can absolutely double the spice quantities to suit their preference. We specifically recommend using pumpkin pie spice for a harmonious blend of fall flavors. However, if you don’t have pumpkin pie spice on hand, you can easily create your own aromatic mix. Simply combine 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon, ¾ teaspoon of ground ginger, ¾ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon of allspice, and ½ teaspoon of ground cloves. From this homemade blend, you can then measure out ½ teaspoon (or more, to taste) to incorporate into your quick bread batter. This ensures a rich, complex flavor that elevates the humble sweet potato into something truly extraordinary.

Beyond its incredible taste, the texture of this quick bread is equally impressive. It’s wonderfully moist and tender, a hallmark of well-made quick breads. The mashed sweet potatoes not only contribute to the rich flavor but also lend significant moisture, resulting in a loaf that is never dry or crumbly. The finely chopped pecans, if added, introduce a delightful crunch and nutty undertone, providing a beautiful contrast to the soft, pillowy crumb. Each bite is a symphony of soft, sweet, and spiced, making it an instant favorite for any occasion.

Achieving the Perfect Loaf: Pan Size and Sweetness

The choice of loaf pan plays a more crucial role than you might think in achieving the ideal shape and texture for your sweet potato quick bread. For a beautifully shaped loaf with that coveted, proud dome, an 8 ½ by 4 ½ inch pan is highly recommended. This size allows the batter to rise perfectly, creating a dense yet tender crumb throughout. While a 9×5 inch pan can certainly work in a pinch, it might result in a slightly flatter loaf with a potentially different baking time, so keep an eye on it if you opt for the larger size.

In terms of sweetness, this recipe strikes a delightful balance. The combination of granulated sugar and packed light brown sugar, along with the natural sugars from the sweet potatoes, yields a bread that is genuinely sweet but in a wonderfully balanced way, not overly cloying. If you prefer a less sweet profile, you might experiment with reducing the sugar content by 2 or 3 tablespoons. However, please note that this adjustment hasn’t been extensively tested, and it could slightly alter the bread’s moisture and overall texture. Baking is an art, and small changes can sometimes lead to surprising results! For now, sticking to the original measurements guarantees a perfectly sweet and satisfying loaf that many will adore.

For those who love sweet potato in all its forms, I’ve also shared a fantastic recipe for yeasted sweet potato bread. This version offers a different texture and is wonderfully suited for making delicious sandwiches or toast, providing another way to enjoy the versatility of sweet potatoes in your baking repertoire.

More Sweet Potato Delights to Explore

Sweet potatoes are incredibly versatile, lending themselves beautifully to both sweet and savory applications. If you’ve enjoyed this quick bread, you might be interested in exploring other sweet potato creations that are equally delicious and satisfying. Here are some related recipes that celebrate the unique flavor and texture of sweet potatoes:

• Sweet Potato Pie: A classic dessert, rich and creamy with a spiced custard filling.
• Sweet Potato Pie Bars: All the flavor of the pie, but in a convenient bar form, perfect for sharing.
• Maple Cream Cheese Frosted Sweet Potato Bars: Elevate your sweet potato bars with a luscious maple cream cheese frosting.
• Cakey Sweet Potato Bars: A lighter, cake-like texture with all the comforting sweet potato flavor.
• Sweet Potato Protein Powder Muffins: A healthier, protein-packed option for a quick breakfast or snack.

Recipe: Spiced Sweet Potato Quick Bread

Sweet Potato Bread

By Anna

A rich, incredibly moist, and wonderfully spiced quick bread made with mashed sweet potatoes and toasted pecans. Perfect for a cozy fall treat!

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 10

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (196 grams, spooned and leveled)
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt (fine sea salt recommended)
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or homemade mix)
• 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes (ensure they are smooth, not stringy)
• ½ cup granulated sugar (98 grams)
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar (98 grams, essential for moisture and flavor)
• ⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (I used grapeseed, any neutral oil works well)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature (for better emulsification)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure vanilla for best flavor)
• ½ cup whole milk, room temperature (dairy or non-dairy milk can be used)
• ½ cup toasted and chopped pecans (optional, but highly recommended for crunch)

Instructions

• Prepare your oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Take your loaf pan (preferably 8 ½ by 4 ½ inches for the best shape, though a 9×5 inch pan can also work) and thoroughly grease it with butter or cooking spray. Then, dust it with flour, tapping out any excess. This ensures your beautiful bread won’t stick and will release easily after baking.
• Combine dry ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Whisking ensures that the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed, which is key for a consistent rise and flavor throughout your loaf. Set this dry mixture aside.
• Mix wet ingredients and combine: In a separate, large mixing bowl, whisk together the mashed sweet potatoes, granulated sugar, packed light brown sugar, vegetable oil, room temperature eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth. Gradually add the dry flour mixture and the room temperature milk to the sweet potato mixture, alternating between the two and mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough bread. Finally, gently fold in the toasted and chopped pecans (if using) until they are evenly distributed.
• Bake and test for doneness: Pour the prepared batter into your greased and floured loaf pan. Bake for approximately 50-55 minutes. Baking times can vary depending on your oven, so start checking around the 50-minute mark. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf; it should come out with moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter. If it comes out completely clean, it might be slightly overbaked. Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For preparing the mashed sweet potato, I typically start with one sweet potato weighing about 10 oz (approximately 280 grams) when raw. Peel it, chop it into small, uniform pieces, then boil or steam until very tender. Drain thoroughly and mash until smooth, ensuring there are no lumps or strings. Allow it to cool slightly before incorporating into the wet ingredients. Roasting the sweet potato can also enhance its sweetness and add a deeper flavor.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was! We love hearing from you!

Tips for the Best Sweet Potato Bread

Crafting the perfect loaf of sweet potato bread is simple with a few key tips:

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs and milk are at room temperature. This helps them emulsify better with the other ingredients, leading to a smoother batter and a more uniform, tender crumb.
• Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until the flour streaks disappear. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can result in a tough, dry bread. A few small lumps are perfectly fine!
• Perfect Sweet Potato Mash: For the smoothest texture, ensure your sweet potatoes are mashed very well, without any stringy bits. You can boil them, steam them, or even roast them for a deeper, caramelized flavor before mashing. A potato ricer can work wonders for an extra smooth mash.
• Proper Pan Preparation: Always grease and flour your loaf pan thoroughly to prevent sticking. Alternatively, you can line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides, to easily lift the loaf out after baking.
• Cooling is Key: While it’s tempting to slice into a warm loaf, letting the bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then completely on a wire rack, allows the internal structure to set and prevents it from becoming gummy or falling apart.

Customizing Your Sweet Potato Bread

This sweet potato quick bread recipe is fantastic as is, but it also serves as a wonderful base for your creative culinary experiments. Here are a few ideas to customize your loaf:

• Add-ins: While pecans are delightful, feel free to substitute them with other chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds. For a sweeter twist, stir in chocolate chips (dark or milk), dried cranberries, raisins, or even chopped candied ginger.
• Glazes: A simple glaze can elevate the bread into a dessert. A basic powdered sugar glaze (powdered sugar mixed with a little milk or orange juice) or a cream cheese glaze would be delicious.
• Extra Spice: If you’re a spice enthusiast, consider adding a pinch of ground cloves, ginger, or cardamom to the dry ingredients for an even more complex flavor profile.
• Toppings: Before baking, sprinkle the top of the batter with a mix of cinnamon sugar or some extra chopped pecans for added texture and visual appeal.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

This sweet potato bread is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways. It makes a wonderful breakfast with a cup of coffee or tea, a satisfying snack any time of day, or a comforting dessert after a meal. Serve it plain, or with a spread of butter, cream cheese, or even a dollop of whipped cream. For an extra treat, lightly toast a slice and spread with a touch of maple butter.

To keep your sweet potato bread fresh and moist, store it tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze individual slices or the entire loaf (once completely cooled) for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm slices in a toaster oven for that freshly baked taste.

Why Sweet Potato Quick Bread? A Healthier, Heartier Choice

Choosing sweet potatoes in your baking not only offers a unique and delicious flavor but also comes with several nutritional benefits. Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins, particularly Vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), Vitamin C, and B vitamins. They are also a good source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion and can help you feel fuller for longer. This makes sweet potato quick bread a slightly more wholesome choice compared to some other quick breads, especially when you can control the sugar content and add healthy fats. It’s a delightful way to incorporate this nutritious root vegetable into your diet, masked in a delicious, comforting package. So go ahead, bake a loaf, savor the flavors of fall, and enjoy a treat that’s as good for the soul as it is for the body!