Looking for a cozy, no-fuss dessert that feels like fall in every bite? This Flourless Sweet Potato Ginger Cake might just become your new go-to. It’s everything you want in a homemade treat — moist, warmly spiced, naturally sweet, and made without a single scoop of flour. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering, need a gluten-free dessert option, or just want to enjoy something comforting and wholesome, this cake checks all the boxes.
What makes this cake stand out? It’s packed with real, nourishing ingredients like roasted sweet potatoes, almond butter, and fresh ginger. It’s easy to mix together in one bowl, and the result is a tender, aromatic cake that feels special enough for company but simple enough for a weeknight bake. Let’s dig into why this recipe deserves a spot in your baking rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Key Benefits
This cake is full of flavor and goodness, and it couldn’t be easier to make. Here’s why people love it:
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Naturally gluten-free – No flour means no fuss with specialty mixes.
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One bowl simplicity – Mix everything together, pour into a pan, and bake. That’s it.
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Wholesome ingredients – Made with sweet potato, almond butter, maple syrup, and eggs.
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Moist and flavorful – The texture is tender, the flavor rich and spiced, and the sweetness perfectly balanced.
And the best part? You probably have most of the ingredients on hand.
Suitable For
This cake is ideal for all kinds of occasions and eaters:
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Holiday gatherings – It’s a perfect fit for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or cozy weekend dinners.
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Special diets – Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and adaptable for nut-free or paleo diets.
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Beginner bakers – If you’re just starting out, this is a stress-free place to begin.
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Families – Kids love the gentle sweetness, and parents love the healthy twist.
Ingredients for Flourless Sweet Potato Ginger Cake
Core Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for this easy recipe:
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Mashed sweet potato – Adds moisture and natural sweetness. Roast or steam your sweet potato until tender, then mash it smooth.
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Eggs – They hold the cake together and create a soft, satisfying crumb.
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Almond butter – This brings in richness and helps create a dense, moist texture. Feel free to use peanut butter or cashew butter if you prefer.
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Maple syrup or honey – Just the right touch of natural sweetness.
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Vanilla extract – Adds depth and warmth.
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Fresh grated ginger – The secret star. It gives the cake a fresh, zesty edge that cuts through the sweetness.
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Spices – Cinnamon, nutmeg, and optional cloves create that irresistible fall flavor.
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Baking soda – Helps the cake rise and stay fluffy.
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Salt – Balances all the flavors and enhances sweetness.
Substitutions and Tips
This recipe is wonderfully flexible. Here are a few smart swaps to suit different needs or tastes:
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Nut-free? Use sunflower seed butter instead of almond butter. It works beautifully and makes the cake school-friendly.
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Prefer honey? Go for it — just keep in mind that honey is a bit sweeter than maple syrup, so the flavor will shift slightly.
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No fresh ginger? Use 1 teaspoon of ground ginger in a pinch, though fresh really brings it to life.
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Want more texture? Stir in a handful of chopped nuts or dark chocolate chips.
You can even spice things up with a pinch of cardamom or a dash of orange zest for a little twist. There’s plenty of room to play here.
Best Sweet Potatoes for Flourless Cakes
When your cake is built around sweet potato, it pays to choose the right kind. Not all sweet potatoes are created equal, and your choice can affect the flavor, color, and texture of the final bake.
For this recipe, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (like Garnet or Jewel varieties) are your best bet. They’re naturally sweeter and more moist, which gives the cake that lovely rich texture and golden hue.
Roasting them brings out their natural sugars and intensifies the flavor. Simply prick them with a fork, roast at 400°F until soft, then mash. Avoid canned yams, which often have added sugar or syrup that can throw off the flavor balance.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
You don’t need anything fancy to pull this off. This cake is designed to be accessible and simple.
Must-Have Tools
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Mixing bowls – One large bowl is really all you need.
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Whisk or hand mixer – For combining the ingredients until smooth.
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8-inch baking pan – Either round or square works.
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Parchment paper or oil spray – To prevent sticking.
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Grater or microplane – Essential for fresh ginger.
Nice-to-Have Tools
These aren’t required, but they’ll make things easier:
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Silicone spatula – Great for scraping down the bowl.
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Cooling rack – Helps the cake cool evenly.
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Food processor – Ideal if you want an ultra-smooth sweet potato mash.
How to Make Flourless Sweet Potato Ginger Cake
Let’s walk through this cozy bake step-by-step — just like we’re in the kitchen together. No mixers, no fancy methods, just honest, feel-good baking. Once you’ve got your ingredients and pan ready, you’ll be surprised how easy this cake comes together. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that warms up, line an 8-inch round or square baking pan with parchment paper, or lightly grease it with oil or butter.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the following:
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1 cup mashed cooked sweet potato
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3 large eggs
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½ cup almond butter (or your favorite nut/seed butter)
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⅓ cup maple syrup or honey
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whisk everything together until the mixture is smooth and silky. The sweet potato should be fully incorporated, with no lumps. If you roasted your sweet potatoes and mashed them by hand, a fork works, but a hand mixer or immersion blender makes it even smoother.
Step 3: Add the Spices and Leaveners
Now it’s time to bring the flavor.
Add to your bowl:
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1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
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1 teaspoon cinnamon
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¼ teaspoon nutmeg
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¼ teaspoon ground cloves (optional, but lovely)
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½ teaspoon baking soda
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¼ teaspoon salt
Stir well to combine. You’ll start to smell all those cozy spices coming together — it’s like autumn in a bowl.
Step 4: Pour and Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. The batter will be thick but should settle into an even layer.
Bake in the center of the oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean — a few moist crumbs are okay. If your oven runs hot, start checking around 28 minutes.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before lifting it out. Then transfer it to a cooling rack to cool completely. This step helps the cake firm up and makes slicing much easier.
Tips for Success
This cake is delightfully forgiving, but here are a few insider tips to make sure it turns out perfectly every time:
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Don’t overbake – It should be moist in the center, not dry. Pull it when the edges are set but the center still has a slight give.
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Use room-temperature eggs – Cold eggs can make the batter harder to mix smoothly.
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Let it cool completely – Slicing too early can make it crumble. Cool cake equals clean slices.
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Customize your spices – Add a pinch of cardamom or swap out the cloves depending on your mood.
How to Store Flourless Sweet Potato Ginger Cake
You’ll be happy to know this cake stores beautifully — in fact, it might taste even better the next day.
At Room Temperature
If you’re planning to serve it the same day, you can leave it covered on the counter for up to 24 hours. Just keep it in an airtight container or cover with foil to lock in moisture.
In the Refrigerator
For longer storage, keep the cake in the fridge. Wrap it tightly or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. The texture becomes fudgier and more flavorful over time.
Freezing Tips
This cake freezes like a dream. Simply slice it into squares or wedges, wrap each one in plastic wrap, and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months. To enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge or warm gently in the oven.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make this vegan?
Not quite. Since this cake depends on eggs for structure, skipping them isn’t straightforward. You could try with flax eggs, but the texture will be denser and a bit less reliable. If you do try it, make sure to let the cake rest after baking so it holds together better.
Is almond butter necessary?
Not at all! You can use peanut butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version. Just make sure whatever you use is creamy and unsweetened.
Can I use canned sweet potato?
Yes, you can. Just double-check the label to make sure it’s 100% sweet potato and not sweetened pie filling, which would make the cake too sugary and possibly affect the texture.
What kind of pan should I use?
An 8-inch round or square pan works perfectly. If you’re using a glass dish, you may need to bake it a few minutes longer.
Related Recipes
If you loved this flourless cake, you might enjoy these cozy sweet treats:
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Peach Dump Cake – Fruity, sweet, and perfect for potlucks
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Oatmeal Cake – Rustic and hearty, with a cozy spiced profile
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Flourless Ricotta Lemon Almond Cake – Another flourless gem with a citrusy twist
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Pumpkin Spice Pancakes – A breakfast-friendly cousin to your sweet potato bake
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Heavenly Moist Fruitcake – Ideal for holiday dessert tables
Conclusion
And there you have it — a simple, spiced, flourless sweet potato cake that’s big on flavor and easy on effort. It’s the kind of dessert that brings people together, whether it’s part of a holiday spread or just something warm to enjoy with coffee on a chilly afternoon.
Give it a try, and don’t forget to let us know how it turns out. Snap a photo, share it with friends, or save it for your next special occasion. Happy baking!
Print
Flourless Sweet Potato Ginger Cake
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A moist, warmly spiced, and naturally gluten-free cake made with sweet potato, almond butter, and fresh ginger — perfect for cozy holidays or everyday treats.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed cooked sweet potato
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger (or 1 tsp ground ginger)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves (optional)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8-inch pan with parchment or grease lightly.
- In a bowl, whisk mashed sweet potato, eggs, almond butter, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth.
- Stir in ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
- Pour into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake 30–35 minutes until the center is set and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Cool completely before slicing. Optionally top with whipped coconut cream or powdered sugar.
Notes
- Use roasted sweet potatoes for deeper flavor.
- Sunflower seed butter works as a nut-free alternative.
- To make sweeter, increase maple syrup to 1/2 cup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: flourless sweet potato ginger cake, gluten-free dessert, paleo cake, healthy baking