Deliciously Spiced Sweet Potato Pone
Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of this Deliciously Spiced Sweet Potato Pone, a beloved dish that brings together the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes and a blend of aromatic spices. Perfect for gatherings and family dinners, this recipe creates a delightful custard-like texture packed with rich flavors from molasses and vanilla, complemented by a hint of citrus from orange zest. It's a timeless southern classic that's sure to impress your guests or add a cozy touch to your holiday table. Serve it warm or at room temperature for a deliciously satisfying dessert.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
sweet potatoes
2 1/2 lbs (unpeeled, cooked until tender)
melted butter
1/4 cup (melted)
eggs
2 (beaten)
dark brown sugar
1/4 cup (firmly packed)
milk
1/2 cup
vanilla extract
1 1/2 tablespoons
light molasses
1/4 cup
salt
1/2 teaspoon
cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon
nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon
clove
1/8 teaspoon
grated orange zest
1 teaspoon (remove white pith)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking.
2
Wash the sweet potatoes, then cook them unpeeled in boiling water until they are tender throughout, which usually takes about 45 minutes.
3
Once cooked, allow the sweet potatoes to cool enough to handle, then peel them and mash in a large mixing bowl until smooth.
4
In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, beaten eggs, and firmly packed dark brown sugar. Mix until you achieve a creamy consistency.
5
Gradually stir in the milk, vanilla extract, light molasses, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and grated orange zest into the butter and egg mixture, making sure everything is well incorporated.
6
Carefully mix this wet mixture into the mashed sweet potatoes until the blend is seamless and even.
7
Transfer the mixture into a greased 1.5-quart baking dish, smoothing the top for an even bake.
8
Optional: For an extra touch of sweetness, sprinkle some additional brown sugar on top of the mixture.
9
Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes.
10
After 50 minutes, carefully remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes to achieve a pleasant golden top.
11
Once finished, remove the Sweet Potato Pone from the oven and allow it to cool completely before serving. This helps enhance the flavors.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sweet Potato Pone?
Sweet Potato Pone is a southern classic dessert featuring mashed sweet potatoes, spices, molasses, and vanilla with a custard-like texture.
How many sweet potatoes are needed for this recipe?
You will need 2 1/2 lbs of sweet potatoes.
How should I prepare the sweet potatoes?
Wash them and cook them unpeeled in boiling water until tender, then peel and mash them.
How long does it take to boil the sweet potatoes?
It typically takes about 45 minutes for the sweet potatoes to become tender in boiling water.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
What kind of sugar is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of firmly packed dark brown sugar.
What gives this pone its spiced flavor?
The spiced flavor comes from a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Is there any citrus in this recipe?
Yes, it includes 1 teaspoon of grated orange zest (with the white pith removed).
What kind of molasses should I use?
The recipe specifies using 1/4 cup of light molasses.
How much vanilla extract is required?
This recipe uses 1 1/2 tablespoons of vanilla extract.
How many eggs are needed?
You will need 2 beaten eggs.
What type of butter is used?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of melted butter.
What size baking dish is needed?
You should use a greased 1.5-quart baking dish.
How long is the total baking time?
The total baking time is 60 minutes: 50 minutes covered and 10 minutes uncovered.
Why do I need to cover the dish with foil?
Covering with foil ensures the pone cooks through without burning the top too quickly.
What is the purpose of the final 10 minutes of baking?
Removing the foil for the last 10 minutes helps achieve a pleasant golden top.
Can I add a topping to the Sweet Potato Pone?
Yes, you can optionally sprinkle additional brown sugar on top before baking.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes approximately 8 servings.
Should I serve the pone hot or cold?
It can be served warm or at room temperature.
Why should I let the pone cool before serving?
Allowing it to cool completely helps to enhance and settle the flavors.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this is a vegetarian-friendly dessert recipe.
Is there milk in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/2 cup of milk.
What texture should the sweet potatoes have before mixing?
They should be mashed until they are completely smooth.
Is this recipe good for holidays?
Yes, it is highly recommended for Thanksgiving and holiday family dinners.
What categories does this dish fall under?
It is categorized as a Yam/Sweet Potato dish, southern cuisine, and a dessert.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients in total.
Do I need to peel the potatoes before boiling?
No, cook them unpeeled and peel them only after they are tender.
What happens if I don't remove the white pith from the orange zest?
Removing the white pith is recommended to avoid adding bitterness to the dish.
How do I mix the ingredients?
Mix the wet ingredients (butter, eggs, sugar, milk, molasses, spices) first, then stir them into the mashed potatoes.