Every pumpkin spice enthusiast will adore these 25 sweet potato desserts that can easily be substituted for their pumpkin counterparts. Even though pumpkin and sweet potatoes are remarkably similar in taste and texture, making them a perfect swap in recipes, it’s worth noting that sweet potatoes have a slightly sweeter flavor (which is not surprising given their name!).
This makes them an ideal choice for baking sweets like cakes, breads, muffins, brownies, cookies, scones, and even cinnamon rolls. One of the best things about working with sweet potatoes is their availability year-round. They are also incredibly easy to work with, requiring minimal preparation before being used in a variety of recipes. So, put down that pumpkin pie spice and grab your peeler because it’s time to get cooking!
The versatility of sweet potatoes makes them a wonderful alternative to pumpkin, and this list showcases just how versatile they can be.
Fudgy Sweet Potato Brownies
Sweet Potato Cookies
Leftover mashed sweet potatoes are a common problem for many of us who enjoy cooking with this nutritious ingredient. Often, we end up with too much, which can be both a blessing and a curse. Instead of letting them go to waste, I like to repurpose them into delicious treats that everyone will love.
In this case, the mashed sweet potatoes become the base for some incredibly tasty cookies that are not only soft and sweet but also packed with flavor from the addition of maple glaze and chopped pecans.
Sweet Potato Scones With Brown Sugar Glaze
Light as air, despite their dense sweet potato content, these baked goods are truly impossible to achieve with any other ingredient combination. Their tender crumb is not just a result of chance, but a deliberate design that involves generous amounts of butter and buttermilk. To ensure they turn out perfectly, it’s essential to handle the mixture with the utmost care.
This means gently folding or stirring everything together using a spatula until the ingredients barely come together in a cohesive whole.
Sweet Potato Marshmallow Bars
Keeping a perfect balance between textures is key to creating a truly unforgettable sweet potato casserole. The smooth, velvety sweetness of the sweet potatoes pairs exquisitely with the gooey, sticky marshmallows, elevating each other’s natural flavors and leaving you wanting more. And let’s not forget about the crust – it must be substantial enough to hold its own against the generous filling, but still provide a satisfying crunch that complements every bite.
Dark Chocolate Chipotle Sweet Potato Fudge
Giving a new twist on classic treats, this recipe truly stands out from the crowd. Not only is it free from dairy products, but it also eliminates oil, making it an excellent option for those with dietary restrictions. The absence of these common ingredients doesn’t compromise the texture, as it remains surprisingly creamy and chewy. To begin, start by cooking and mashing the sweet potato until it reaches a smooth consistency.
This will serve as the binder, guaranteeing that the final product stays delightfully soft and pliable. When selecting the chocolate for this recipe, opt for something rich and dark to balance out the sweetness of both the syrup and the potato.
Sweet Potato Pie
Knowing whether sweet potato pie is the same as pumpkin pie has been a long-standing debate among bakers and dessert enthusiasts. While they may seem like vastly different desserts on paper, the truth is that sweet potatoes can be easily substituted for pumpkin puree in most recipes, including the one provided here. A closer look at this recipe reveals that it’s essentially identical to your average pumpkin pie recipe, even down to calling for pumpkin pie spice!
The only notable difference between the two pies lies in their sweetness level and color, with sweet potato pie being slightly sweeter and boasting a more vibrant orange hue.
Sweet Potato Cake Recipe
When it comes to exploring new dessert recipes, some unique flavors can catch our attention. Sweet potato cookies and sweet potato sweetbread are already popular variations, but have you ever considered trying sweet potato cake? The combination of warm spices reminiscent of carrot cake, paired with the comforting sweetness of cinnamon and a tangy cream cheese frosting, makes this cake an exceptional treat.
I particularly enjoy the balance of flavors in my version of this cake, which features marshmallow Fluff frosting and a drizzle of caramel, adding a delightful twist to the traditional recipe. Ultimately, let your sweet tooth be the guide for what you choose, as it will undoubtedly lead you to discover new and exciting flavor combinations!
Dessert Baked Sweet Potato
Yearning for a sweet potato recipe that breaks the mold? I don’t blame you! Typically, we’re accustomed to filling our baked sweet potatoes with butter, chili, and even leftover BBQ pulled pork. But this recipe is something entirely different, elevating the humble sweet potato to new heights.
You’ll still bake your sweet potatoes as usual – yes, even the microwave will do – but then it’s transformed into a masterpiece by being filled with toasted coconut, cinnamon, almond butter, pecans, and dark chocolate. The possibilities don’t stop there, so feel free to get creative: why not try chopped bananas and caramel or milk chocolate and mini-marshmallows? The combinations are endless, and the result is always a delightful twist on a classic dish.
Sweet Potato Pie Fudge
Amazingly, this unique dessert is an uncanny replica of sweet potato pie. Although the ingredients might seem unusual, they come together to create a surprisingly authentic flavor. Achieving the sweet potato taste is relatively straightforward. You’ll need to combine white chocolate, evaporated milk, brown and white sugar, butter, vanilla extract, mashed sweet potatoes, cinnamon, and ginger. Once you’ve mixed all the ingredients, cook them until the mixture is smooth and thick.
To add some extra texture, stir in chopped walnuts just before pouring the fudge into a mold to set. Alternatively, you can try using crushed Graham Crackers for added crunch – simply bake them lightly first to retain their texture.
No-Bake Sweet Potato Cheesecake Bars
Visually stunning and incredibly delicious, these no-bake cheesecake bars are a game-changer. They offer a perfect solution for those days when baking just isn’t an option, yet still provide a rich and creamy dessert experience. With a double-layer design, one featuring a sweet vanilla cheesecake and the other a lightly spiced sweet potato cheesecake, these bars can be enjoyed as is or swirled together to create a unique marble effect.
Peanut Butter Sweet Potato Cookies
Taking a cue from classic breakfast cookies, these indulgent treats combine the natural sweetness of bananas with the richness of peanut butter and the comforting warmth of sweet potatoes. They’re perfectly portioned for a satisfying breakfast or mid-morning snack, offering a filling and delicious way to curb hunger until lunchtime. While crushed nuts provide an added textural element, mini-chocolate chips can be sprinkled on top for an extra burst of flavor.
Sweet Potato Pie Cinnamon Rolls
Generally speaking, a good cinnamon roll recipe requires some time and effort to execute. While making the dough, letting it rest, rolling it out, filling it with the sweet potato mixture, and then giving it another resting period before baking might seem like a lot of steps, the end result is well worth the process.
The unique twist in this recipe comes from using mashed sweet potatoes as part of the filling, combined with traditional spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, butter, sugar, vanilla, egg, and milk. This blend of ingredients creates a dessert-like filling that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Vegan Sweet Potato Pudding
Lightening the sweetness, this recipe takes inspiration from traditional sweet potato pie by leaving out the crust altogether. If you’re a fan of that indulgent filling, you’ll be delighted to find its creamy counterpart here. For added richness, I incorporated whipped coconut milk into the mixture, not only making it vegan-friendly but also providing an exceptionally smooth finish.
The subtle addition of coconut milk also subtly enhances the flavor profile without overpowering the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes.
Sweet Potato Pie Cupcakes
Often, cupcakes can be misleading when it comes to ingredients and texture. These little sweet potato treats are more akin to individual mini-pies than traditional cupcakes. They’re incredibly moist and dense, but what sets them apart is their bold flavor profile. One characteristic that may raise an eyebrow at first is the thin consistency of the batter – rest assured, this is perfectly normal given their pie-like nature.
To add a delightful finishing touch, consider sprinkling some crushed Graham Crackers over a dollop of whipped cream.
Sweet Potato Pie Parfaits
Actually, I’m not entirely fed up with overnight oats just yet. While it’s true that after a few days of consecutive oat bowls, I start to yearn for something else – like a toasted bagel or fluffy pancakes – there is one variation that has been keeping things fresh and exciting for me.
Baked Sweet Potato Donuts
Sweet treats can often come with a lot of hassle, but baked donuts offer a delicious solution. This recipe is perfect for those who want that classic round treat without the stress of working with hot oil. One of the best things about this recipe is that it’s an easy way to sneak some extra veggies into your kids’ diets – who wouldn’t be excited to eat a tasty donut when they think they’re just getting a sweet treat?
If you’re short on time, don’t worry about making the brown butter glaze; a simple maple glaze will still provide that perfect finishing touch.
Sweet Potato Bundt Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze
Understanding the intricacies of this bundt recipe is crucial to achieving its full potential. Although it may seem lengthy, each ingredient plays a vital role in creating a truly exceptional cake. One key recommendation is to thoroughly puree the sweet potato, as I personally prefer my cakes smooth and free from lumps. In fact, I’ve made this recipe multiple times, with one notable variation being the substitution of mashed bananas for applesauce on the second attempt.
This modification resulted in an even sweeter and more delectable outcome.
No-Churn Sweet Potato Pie Ice Cream
Understanding what makes a truly exceptional ice cream is crucial, especially when it comes to achieving an ultra-smooth and delicately creamy flavor. This particular ice cream stands out with its unique blend of ingredients, including whipping cream, sweetened condensed milk, and full-fat Greek yogurt, which work in harmony to create a rich and indulgent texture. Beyond the creamy foundation, the sweet potato and aromatic spices take center stage.
The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, brown sugar, and bourbon is perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the pureed sweet potatoes, creating a depth of flavor that’s nothing short of remarkable. While patience may be required, as this recipe can take anywhere from 8 to 10 hours to complete, I’m confident that your hard work will pay off in the end.
Sweet Potato Chocolate Muffins
Not only has the vegan food landscape changed over time, but it’s now easier than ever to find delicious and satisfying plant-based options. Gone are the days of relying on coconut milk, fruit, and bland baked goods for sustenance. In its place, we have a plethora of mouthwatering recipes that cater to every taste bud. These chocolatey muffins are a prime example of this shift in culinary creativity.
With the addition of rich cocoa powder and decadent chocolate chips, they’re sure to become an instant favorite. But what truly sets them apart is the use of sweet potatoes, which adds unparalleled moisture and depth to each bite.
Sweet Potato Blondie Bars
Delighted by the prospect of discovering a cookie-like treat that’s not only indulgent but also packed with nutrients, I just had to try these blondies right away! The combination of thick and sweet chewiness, caramel flavors, and chocolate chips is absolutely irresistible. However, it’s worth noting that cookies and blondies are generally not considered the healthiest options due to their high sugar content and calorie density.
But what caught my attention was the innovative use of vegetables in these treats, particularly sweet potatoes and mashed chickpeas, which not only add natural sweetness but also provide a substantial amount of protein.
Purple Sweet Potato Tapioca
Certainly, when it comes to cooking with sweet potatoes, there are some key differences between purple and regular varieties. Purple sweet potatoes have a slightly more subtle flavor profile due to their starchier composition, which necessitates a longer cooking time compared to their orange counterparts.
Nonetheless, the end result is well worth the extra effort – their vibrant, deep purple hue is nothing short of stunning and entirely natural, as opposed to some artificial coloring that might be expected. To create this visually appealing dessert, you’ll also need to include coconut milk and tapioca pearls alongside your vegetables, making for a refreshing and unique twist on traditional desserts that’s surprisingly easy to prepare.
Sweet Potato Truffles
Finding myself firmly rooted in the cake truffle camp has become a long-standing tradition for me. While some might prefer the elegance of a rich, chocolate truffle, I’m more inclined to indulge in the playful charm of a cake pop. Those expecting a holiday box of treats from me this year would do well to be prepared for a generous helping of these sweet morsels instead! And the best part? They’re incredibly easy to make.
Simply combine cooked sweet potato, almond meal, dates, cocoa powder, and cinnamon in a food processor and blend until smooth. Occasionally, you might need to add an extra pinch of almond meal to compensate for varying moisture levels in the sweet potatoes.
Vegan Sweet Potato Chocolate Buttercream
Zest for change is exactly what we’ve got here – a vegan buttercream recipe that breaks away from the norm. Typically, these frostings rely on soaked cashews or coconut milk to achieve their signature creaminess. But let’s be real, those ingredients can put a dent in your wallet. So, if you’re craving something rich and indulgent without breaking the bank, this chocolatey frosting is just what you need.
Sweet Potato Rice Crispies
Purple Sweet Potato and Strawberry Smoothie
Delighting in a vibrant smoothie experience is not just about taste; it’s also about texture and appearance. To meet these expectations, this recipe has successfully achieved the perfect balance of colorfulness, sweetness, and thickness! Like many popular smoothies, this particular blend relies on frozen bananas to achieve its ultra-creamy and thick finish. However, they are not an essential component, and you can choose to omit them if needed.
Alternatively, using frozen strawberries in place of bananas ensures a thicker consistency without the need for ice, providing a delightful solution for those seeking a banana-free smoothie option.
25 Best Sweet Potato Dessert Collection
Instructions
Not only can you create a delicious sweet potato dessert, but it’s also incredibly quick to prepare. To get started, select a favorite recipe that incorporates this versatile ingredient. Once you’ve chosen your recipe, carefully organize all the required ingredients and make sure they’re within easy reach in the kitchen. With these simple steps, you’ll be on track to creating a tasty sweet potato dessert in no time – in fact, most recipes can be prepared in 30 minutes or less!
