Sweet Potato Brownies
Sweet Potato Brownies – Rich, Fudgy and Moist Homemade Brownies
These Sweet Potato Brownies are rich, fudgy, chocolatey, and incredibly moist! Made with mashed sweet potatoes, melted chocolate, cocoa powder, and simple baking ingredients, these homemade brownies have a wonderfully soft, dense texture and delicious chocolate flavor.
If you’ve never tried baking brownies with sweet potatoes, you’re in for a delicious surprise! The mashed sweet potatoes add natural moisture and create a soft, almost truffle-like center while the melted chocolate gives every bite a rich, indulgent flavor.
And the best part? You can barely taste the sweet potatoes!
These brownies are perfect for fall baking, afternoon treats, lunchbox desserts, and whenever you’re craving something chocolatey. They’re also a wonderful way to use leftover cooked sweet potatoes.
Whether you’re making them for your family, a holiday dessert tray, or simply because you love homemade brownies, this easy Sweet Potato Brownies recipe is sure to become a favorite.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 25–32 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 9–12 brownies
Why You’ll Love These Sweet Potato Brownies
- Rich and fudgy: Dense, moist brownies with wonderful chocolate flavor.
- Made with sweet potatoes: Mashed sweet potatoes add moisture and tenderness.
- Easy ingredients: Made with familiar pantry baking staples.
- Great for leftovers: A delicious way to use extra cooked sweet potatoes.
- Chocolate lovers’ favorite: Melted chocolate and cocoa powder create a rich flavor.
- Perfect for fall: A cozy homemade dessert for autumn baking.
- Freezer-friendly: Make a batch and save some for later.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed cooked sweet potato, cooled
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/3 cup additional semi-sweet chocolate chips, optional
How to Make Sweet Potato Brownies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little extra parchment hanging over the sides.
Lightly grease the parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
Cook the sweet potatoes until completely tender.
You can bake, microwave, or steam them.
Remove the skins and mash the sweet potato flesh until smooth.
Measure out 1 cup of mashed sweet potato and allow it to cool before adding it to the brownie batter.
For the smoothest brownies, make sure there are no large lumps in the sweet potato.
Step 3: Melt the Chocolate and Butter
Place the butter and 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the butter and chocolate are completely melted and smooth.
Set aside to cool slightly.
Step 4: Mix the Sweet Potatoes and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.
Stir until smooth and well combined.
Step 5: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs and vanilla extract.
Whisk until the mixture is smooth.
Step 6: Add the Melted Chocolate
Slowly pour the slightly cooled melted chocolate and butter into the sweet potato mixture.
Stir until everything is completely combined.
The batter should have a rich chocolate color and a thick, smooth consistency.
Step 7: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the chocolate sweet potato mixture.
Stir gently until just combined.
Avoid overmixing the batter.
If desired, fold in the additional 1/3 cup chocolate chips.
Step 8: Pour into the Baking Pan
Transfer the brownie batter to the prepared baking pan.
Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly into the corners.
Sprinkle a few additional chocolate chips over the top if desired.
Step 9: Bake
Bake at 350°F for approximately 25–32 minutes.
The edges should be set, and a toothpick inserted near the center should come out with moist crumbs rather than wet batter.
Because these brownies are naturally moist, the center may remain slightly soft.
Avoid overbaking.
Step 10: Cool and Slice
Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the baking pan.
For cleaner slices and an extra fudgy texture, refrigerate the cooled brownies for approximately 30 minutes before cutting.
Lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper.
Cut into 9 large or 12 smaller squares and enjoy!
Jennie’s Thoughts
I love finding new ways to bake with sweet potatoes, especially during the fall when they’re perfect for so many delicious recipes.
Most people think of sweet potato casserole, candied sweet potatoes, or roasted sweet potatoes, but they’re also wonderful in baked desserts!
One of the things I love about adding mashed sweet potatoes to brownies is how moist and rich they make the chocolate batter.
The sweet potatoes blend right into the chocolate, creating a soft, fudgy texture that makes these brownies taste extra indulgent.
And because the chocolate flavor is so rich, the sweet potatoes don’t overpower the dessert.
I especially love these brownies after they’ve had a little time to cool and set. They become wonderfully dense and fudgy, almost like a chocolate truffle.
They’re delicious with a cup of coffee, a cold glass of milk, or a little scoop of vanilla ice cream.
If you have an extra sweet potato sitting in the kitchen, this is such a fun and delicious way to use it!
Tips for the Best Sweet Potato Brownies
Use smooth mashed sweet potatoes. Lumps of sweet potato can create an uneven brownie texture. Mash thoroughly or puree until smooth.
Let the sweet potatoes cool. Hot sweet potatoes can affect the consistency of the batter.
Use plain sweet potatoes. Avoid using leftover sweet potatoes that contain marshmallows, heavy seasonings, or other casserole ingredients.
Don’t overmix. Stir the flour into the batter just until combined.
Use good-quality chocolate. Semi-sweet chocolate chips provide a rich chocolate flavor without making the brownies overly sweet.
Avoid overbaking. These brownies should remain moist and fudgy in the center.
Cool before cutting. Allowing the brownies to cool completely helps them firm up and makes slicing easier.
Why Add Sweet Potatoes to Brownies?
Sweet potatoes are naturally moist and have a soft, creamy texture when cooked.
When mashed and added to brownie batter, they help create a dense, tender texture.
Sweet potatoes also have a mild natural sweetness that works beautifully with chocolate.
The cocoa powder and melted chocolate provide the main flavor, while the sweet potatoes contribute moisture and richness.
The result is a delicious homemade brownie with a wonderfully fudgy center.
Can You Taste the Sweet Potatoes in Brownies?
Not very much!
Sweet potatoes have a mild flavor that blends beautifully with chocolate.
The combination of melted semi-sweet chocolate, cocoa powder, brown sugar, and vanilla creates a rich chocolate flavor.
You may notice a little extra sweetness and a soft, creamy texture, but the brownies primarily taste like chocolate.
For the smoothest texture, puree the cooked sweet potatoes before adding them to the batter.
How to Cook Sweet Potatoes for Brownies
There are several easy ways to prepare sweet potatoes for this recipe.
Microwave Method
Wash a medium sweet potato and pierce it several times with a fork.
Place it on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for approximately 5–8 minutes, turning halfway through, until tender.
Allow it to cool, remove the skin, and mash the flesh.
Oven Method
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Wash and pierce the sweet potato with a fork.
Place on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 45–60 minutes, or until completely tender.
Allow to cool before removing the skin and mashing.
Steaming Method
Peel and cube the sweet potato.
Place the cubes in a steamer basket over simmering water.
Cover and steam for approximately 12–18 minutes, or until fork-tender.
Mash until smooth.
Whichever method you choose, allow the mashed sweet potatoes to cool before preparing the brownie batter.
Easy Sweet Potato Brownie Variations
Chocolate Chip Sweet Potato Brownies
Add an extra 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips to the batter for delicious pockets of melted chocolate.
Sweet Potato Brownies with Walnuts
Fold 1/2 cup chopped walnuts into the batter for a little crunch.
Peanut Butter Sweet Potato Brownies
Drop small spoonfuls of creamy peanut butter over the brownie batter and swirl gently with a knife before baking.
Sweet Potato Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Allow the brownies to cool completely, then spread a thin layer of cream cheese frosting over the top.
Dark Chocolate Sweet Potato Brownies
Use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet chocolate for a deeper chocolate flavor.
Sweet Potato Brownies with Chocolate Ganache
Top the cooled brownies with a layer of homemade chocolate ganache for an extra-rich dessert.
How to Make Sweet Potato Brownies Extra Fudgy
For the fudgiest brownies, start with smooth mashed sweet potatoes and melted chocolate.
Avoid adding too much flour, which can create a more cake-like texture.
The combination of butter, melted chocolate, and sweet potatoes helps create a rich, dense brownie.
Another important step is removing the brownies from the oven before they become dry.
The edges should be set, but the centers should remain moist.
Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting.
For an especially dense, fudgy texture, refrigerate the brownies briefly before serving.
How to Store Sweet Potato Brownies
Allow the brownies to cool completely before storing.
Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Because these brownies contain mashed sweet potatoes and have a very moist texture, refrigeration is recommended.
For the best flavor, allow the brownies to sit at room temperature for approximately 10–15 minutes before serving.
Can You Freeze Sweet Potato Brownies?
Yes!
These brownies freeze beautifully.
Allow them to cool completely and cut them into individual squares.
Wrap each brownie tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Freeze for up to
