This Sweet Potato Cinnamon Bread is incredibly soft, moist, and filled with the comforting flavors of cinnamon, brown sugar, and real mashed sweet potatoes. Every slice has a tender crumb, a rich buttery flavor, and just the right amount of warm spice, making it the perfect homemade quick bread for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or an afternoon snack with coffee.

Sweet potatoes naturally add moisture and subtle sweetness, creating a loaf that’s rich without being heavy. Combined with cinnamon, vanilla, and a touch of brown sugar, this bread fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma while baking. Whether you’re using fresh roasted sweet potatoes or leftover mashed sweet potatoes, this recipe is simple to prepare and delivers bakery-quality results every time.

One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. Enjoy it plain, drizzle it with a sweet vanilla glaze, sprinkle it with cinnamon sugar, or add chopped pecans, walnuts, raisins, or chocolate chips for extra texture and flavor. It also freezes beautifully, making it ideal for meal prep or holiday baking.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Moist and tender every time
• Made with real sweet potatoes
• Warm cinnamon flavor
• Easy one-bowl quick bread
• Perfect for breakfast or dessert
• Freezes beautifully
• Great for holiday baking
• Beginner-friendly recipe
• Delicious with coffee or tea
• Easy to customize with nuts or chocolate chips

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

Wet Ingredients

• 1½ cups mashed cooked sweet potato
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup whole milk

Optional Mix-Ins

• ½ cup chopped pecans
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• ½ cup raisins
• ½ cup chocolate chips
• ¼ cup shredded coconut

Optional Cinnamon Sugar Topping

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Sweet Potatoes

Roasted sweet potatoes provide the richest flavor and the smoothest texture. Mash them well and allow them to cool before mixing.

Flour

All-purpose flour creates a soft, tender loaf. For a heartier texture, replace up to half with whole wheat flour.

Cinnamon

Use fresh ground cinnamon for the best flavor. Add a pinch of cloves or ginger if you enjoy extra warm spices.

Brown Sugar

Brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor that pairs perfectly with sweet potatoes.

Butter

Unsalted butter gives the bread a rich flavor. You can substitute vegetable oil for an even softer crumb.

Milk

Whole milk creates a moist batter, but buttermilk also works well and adds a slight tang.

Equipment You’ll Need

• 9×5-inch loaf pan
• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Wire cooling rack
• Toothpick for testing doneness

How to Make Sweet Potato Cinnamon Bread

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or nonstick baking spray, then line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together:

• All-purpose flour
• Ground cinnamon
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Nutmeg (if using)

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine:

• Mashed sweet potato
• Melted butter
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar

Whisk until smooth.

Add:

• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Milk

Mix until fully combined.

Step 4: Combine the Batter

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.

Using a rubber spatula, gently fold everything together until just combined.

Do not overmix.

If using optional mix-ins like pecans, walnuts, raisins, or chocolate chips, gently fold them into the batter.

Step 5: Fill the Pan

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.

Spread the top evenly with a spatula.

If desired, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar topping evenly over the batter.

Step 6: Bake

Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until the loaf is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

If the top begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil during the final 15 minutes of baking.

Step 7: Cool

Remove the bread from the oven.

Allow it to cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes.

Carefully transfer the loaf to a wire rack and let it cool completely before slicing.

Step 8: Slice and Serve

Slice into thick pieces and enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Serve with:

• Butter
• Honey butter
• Maple butter
• Cream cheese
• Apple butter
• Cinnamon butter

For a cozy breakfast spread, pair this bread with our Greek Yogurt Bagel Bites. If you’re baking for dessert, our Easy Jam Doughnuts Classic Berliner Recipe and Sponge Cake Recipe are also wonderful homemade treats.

Expert Tips

Use roasted sweet potatoes instead of boiled for a richer, naturally sweeter flavor.

Measure the mashed sweet potatoes after mashing for the most accurate results.

Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the bread light and tender.

Check the loaf after 50 minutes, as baking times may vary depending on your oven.

Let the bread cool completely before slicing to help it hold its shape.

Recipe Variations

Pecan Sweet Potato Bread

Fold chopped pecans into the batter for a crunchy texture.

Walnut Cinnamon Bread

Add chopped walnuts for a nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with cinnamon.

Chocolate Chip Sweet Potato Bread

Mix semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter for a sweeter version.

Maple Glazed Bread

Drizzle cooled bread with a simple maple glaze made from powdered sugar and maple syrup.

Cream Cheese Swirl Bread

Swirl softened sweetened cream cheese through the batter before baking.

Streusel-Topped Bread

Top with a buttery cinnamon streusel before baking for a bakery-style finish.

Raisin Cinnamon Bread

Fold golden or regular raisins into the batter for natural sweetness.

Pumpkin Spice Bread

Replace part of the cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice for a delicious fall variation.

What to Serve With Sweet Potato Cinnamon Bread

This moist quick bread pairs perfectly with:

• Fresh coffee
• Hot tea
• Pumpkin spice latte
• Hot chocolate
• Fresh fruit salad
• Greek yogurt
• Honey butter
• Cream cheese
• Maple butter
• Cinnamon whipped cream

Storage & Reheating

Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Wrap individual slices tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

Warm slices in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or toast lightly before serving.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using watery mashed sweet potatoes.
• Overmixing the batter.
• Opening the oven too early during baking.
• Overbaking the loaf, which can dry it out.
• Skipping parchment paper, making the loaf harder to remove.
• Slicing while the bread is still hot.
• Measuring flour incorrectly by packing it into the cup.
• Forgetting to test the center with a toothpick before removing the bread.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

This Sweet Potato Cinnamon Bread is everything you want in a homemade quick bread soft, moist, warmly spiced, and full of comforting flavor. Whether you’re baking it for a cozy fall breakfast, holiday brunch, or afternoon coffee break, it’s a recipe that’s easy to make and always satisfying.

Print