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    Home » Breads

    Published: Jan 17, 2018 · Modified: Jul 27, 2023 by Smruti · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

    Purple Sweet Potato Bread

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    All natural, soft and fluffy; this Purple Sweet Potato Bread is full of flavor and subtle sweet notes.

    It is chic yet easy to make and can be used in so many recipes or just served smothered with some salted butter.

    Purple sweet potato bread loaf placed on a slate plate with bowls on the side.
    Jump to:
    • What is Loaf Bread
    • This Purple Sweet Potato Bread
    • Why this recipe works
    • Sweet Potatoes vs Ube
    • Ingredients and Substitutions
    • How to make this recipe
    • Expert Tips and Notes
    • Storage and Serving
    • Ways to cook Sweet Potato
    • Other ways to get the purple color
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Bread Recipes you will love
    • Purple Sweet Potato Bread

    Bread baking is always therapeutic. The process is satisfying, the results perfect. And once you start baking your own bread, you definitely fall in love with it. A fun weekend activity or a great way to have it prepped for the week.

    From using various ingredients for color, flavor and texture to using more uncommon fruits and vegetables, we can do it all. It is a true delight to slice every loaf pan and see how the insides are.

    There are various kinds of breads that can be baked at home. From the easy No-Knead Pumpkin Bread to the more complex Ciabatta Bread, we love them all.

    What is Loaf Bread

    Breads made in a rectangle pan yield loaves. These loaves are popular across the world. While there are some specific loaf breads in certain parts of the world, the more common ones like sandwich bread, whole wheat bread and honey oat bread are similar in many ways across the globe.

    Loaf breads are a versatile ingredient. They can be used in so many recipes, or simply enjoyed with some salted butter, cheese or jam. And no wonder then that loaf breads are often a favorite baking project.

    I have been baking loaves for a decade now. And this Chutney Swirled Bread, Pizza Braid, Original Sandwich Bread, Tricolor Bread, Whole Wheat Loaf and of course this Purple Sweet Potato Bread are the most loved.

    This Purple Sweet Potato Bread

    When making loaves of bread, the most interesting part is definitely to add various flavors and colors to them.

    Potatoes are often added to bread for moisture. They are rich in fibre and make the bread fibre rich too. No wonder then, that potato breads are popular all over.

    For me, this recipe was more for the color than the fibre content. I brought these purple sweet potatoes to make Undhiyu. I had a few leftover and decided to try a bread with them. And the result was so good; I have been making this bread loaf for years now. And no wonder it has been loved by everyone who tried it too.

    Why this recipe works

    • A super easy recipe with just 30 minutes of active time.
    • Soft fluffy bread with versatile uses.
    • A perfect way to include sweet potatoes in every diet.
    • Buttery soft loaf of bread.
    • It is packed with a gorgeous color, got naturally from potatoes.
    • Easy to make Vegan by substituting unsalted butter with Olive oil.
    • Perfect for sandwiches, French toast or simply slathered with butter.
    • A make ahead recipe that is a perfect part of meal prep.
    • Great to refrigerate or even freeze for longer.
    • A chic Purple Sweet Potato Bread loaf to use in various sandwiches for a tea party or unicorn theme party.

    Sweet Potatoes vs Ube

    Whenever you go the Farmers' Market you would have chanced upon aisles filled with various colored and shaped potatoes. These are often difficult to decode, but this should help.

    The long tubers are of various kinds; sweet potatoes, ube, yam etc. The sweet potatoes are either red skin with white inside, purple skin with purple inside or orange skin with orange inside.

    Ube, a less likely find at the markets has lighter colored skin which is rough, almost like a bark. It is light violet inside and classified as a yam. Sweet potatoes on the other hand have smooth skin and drier flesh.

    They are from different plant families and have different uses and nutrition. For this recipe we use Okinawan Sweet potatoes. However, regular purple potatoes will work too. Ube however, will not give us the right color and consistency.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    Ingredients for Purple Sweet Potato Bread; flour, yeast, sweet potato among others on a black blue background.
    • All purpose flour: We use this to make the bread. However, the same can be made with whole wheat flour and essential gluten too. Plus, bread flour is an option too.
    • Sweet Potatoes: The core ingredient in the recipe, sweet potatoes add color, flavor and moisture to the bread. I like to use purple sweet potatoes but any colored sweet potatoes are great.
    • Active dry yeast: Yeast is the rising agent in the bread. While both instant and active dry yeast work, I generally stick to active dry for loaf breads. I like to use instant yeast for focaccia, pizza etc.
    • Unsalted Butter: We need some unsalted butter for the recipe. However, it can easily be replaced with olive oil for a Vegan version. If using unsalted butter, make sure it is at room temperature.
    • Salt and Sugar: To activate the yeast we add sugar and salt. Plus, salt is added to the bread for flavor. As the potatoes are sweet, some salt does help balance the flavors.
    • Water: Water is used to bind the dough together. Warm water is used to bloom the yeast, and added to the dough. Make sure it is warm but not hot.

    See the recipe card for detailed ingredient information, measurements and nutrition.

    How to make this recipe

    1- Place sweet potatoes in a baking tray.

    2- Apply 2 tablespoon oil all over and prick with a fork. Bake in a preheated oven at 425 F for 45 minutes, till fork tender.

    Collage steps to make Purple Sweet Potato Bread; roast sweet potato in a baking tray.

    3- Remove and peel completely.

    4- Mash using a fork and set aside.

    Collage steps to make Purple Sweet Potato Bread; peel and mash the sweet potato.

    5- In a bowl add 1 cup warm water, 1 teaspoon sugar and 1 teaspoon salt.

    6- Add 2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast and stir. Place covered in a warm spot for 10-15 minutes, till frothy.

    Collage steps to make Purple Sweet Potato Bread; bloom the yeast for 10 minutes.

    7- In the base of a stand mixer add 3 cups all purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 cup mashed sweet potato and 3 tablespoon unsalted butter.

    8- Add the yeast mixture.

    Collage steps to make Purple Sweet Potato Bread; add all the ingredients to a bowl.

    9- Place the bowl in a stand mixer and start kneading with a hook attachment.

    10- Knead well till the dough forms and about 5 minutes after.

    Collage steps to make Purple Sweet Potato Bread; knead well in a stand mixer.

    11- Shape the dough into a tight round. Apply oil in the bowl and place the dough ball in it. Let the dough rise for 60-70 minutes in a warm place.

    12- Once the dough doubles in size, punch it down.

    Collage steps to make Purple Sweet Potato Bread; place the dough in oil lined bowl and set aside.

    13- Remove and lightly knead for a couple minutes.

    14- Spread the dough on a baking tray into a rectangle of about 8 inches width.

    Collage steps to make Purple Sweet Potato Bread; remove dough and spread in a rectangle shape.

    15- Roll into a tight roll along the shorter side.

    16- Grease a 9* 4 inch bread pan and place the dough log in it. Cover and rise for another hour in a warm place.

    Collage steps to make Purple Sweet Potato Bread; roll tightly and place in a greased pan.

    17- Once the dough almost reaches the top of the pan, spray some oil based spray.

    18- Bake for 22-24 minutes in an oven preheated to 425 F. Remove pan from the oven.

    Collage steps to make Purple Sweet Potato Bread; let the bread rise and then bake it.

    19- Let the bread cool and transfer to a baking tray.

    20- Once it cools, slice the bread into slices of desired thickness.

    Collage steps to make Purple Sweet Potato Bread; remove, cool and slice.

    Expert Tips and Notes

    • Use warm water (105-110 F) to bloom the yeast. Using cold water will not bloom the yeast and hot will kill the yeast. So make sure it is just right.
    • Like all baked recipes, measure the ingredients for this purple sweet potato bread correctly. The recipe works on science and proportions.
    • Ensure the ingredients are fresh. Dated yeast or flour will not work well in the recipe.
    • Sweet potatoes are great for adding moisture, color and flavor to the bread. They can be of any color; white, orange or purple.
    • Cook the potatoes well. If there are pieces in the mash, they will not mix to give an even color.
    • Use a bread pan that fits the dough well. Because if it is too large, the bread will be pretty flat and small pans will have an overflow of dough as it rises and bakes.
    A stack of purple potato bread slices stacked on a white plate with some jelly on the side.

    Storage and Serving

    This purple sweet potato bread is easy to slice once it cools down a little. Slicing hot bread is not a great idea as it crumbles instead of slicing.

    Once the bread is out of the oven, cool to room temperature and wrap in plastic film. Set on the counter for some time and then slice it.

    Leftover bread can be stored on the counter at room temperature for 1-2 days. Refrigerate after that for up to a week. The bread however freezes well. Simply wrap in double plastic and pop in the freezer. It is also a great idea to freeze slices for easy consumption.

    Serve this bread with butter or simply use it to make sandwiches, French toast or even chic colored croutons.

    Ways to cook Sweet Potato

    Sweet potatoes are easy to cook in one of three ways:

    • Microwave: Cut the sweet potato in half and place in a container. Add ¼ cup water and microwave with a lid on for 8-9 minutes; till tender. Remove, peel and mash with a fork.
    • Stovetop: There are two methods here. Simply peel and dice the potatoes and boil in a pan of 3-4 cups water till soft. This takes about 15 minutes. Else, place in the pressure cooker with ½ cup water and pressure cook for 3 whistles. Cool, peel and mash.
    • Oven: This is my favorite way to cook the potatoes. Simply apply some oil on the potatoes, prick with a fork and place in a preheated oven at 425 F. Bake for 40 minutes or till it is cooked. Peel and use mashed.
    A loaf of sweet potato bread loaf on a slate platter with potatoes on the side and a milkshake glass on the side.

    Other ways to get the purple color

    While fresh sweet potatoes are great not just for color and flavor, it helps with moisture content in the bread too. However, there are other ingredients that can be used.

    • Fresh Ube will work instead of sweet potatoes. Though Ube is difficult to find fresh, it is a great addition.
    • Frozen sweet potato or ube works well too. Simply thaw before adding.
    • A lot of brands make sweet potato powder as well as taro and ube powders. These give a vibrant color to the bread too.
    • Moreover, plant based food colors can always be used. Use ube extract in combination with purple color to get the perfect color and flavor.

    Recipe FAQs

    What is the difference between sweet potatoes and ube?

    Sweet potatoes have a smooth skin and drier flesh. In comparison, ube has a light colored bark kind of skin and light violet flesh. They have more moisture content compared to potatoes.

    What vegetable gives natural purple color to breads?

    Purple sweet potatoes are best for a violet color in breads. Plus, they add moisture to the breads and make them earthy in flavor too.

    Why is my yeast bread hard?

    The softness of yeast breads comes from properly activated yeast. If the yeast mixture is not frothy in 10-15 minutes, discard and start fresh. Using old yeast or not properly bloomed yeast yields a hard bread.

    Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

    Yes definitely. They can be used interchangeably. Simply add instant yeast to the flour and other ingredients instead of activating like active dry yeast. However, I like to use active dry for loaf breads.

    Why is my baked bread crumbling on slicing?

    Once the bread is baked, it needs to cool down well before slicing. Slicing it hot will yield a lot of crumbles. Simply cool it down before slicing.

    More Bread Recipes you will love

    • A plate with three slices of chutney bread and some chai and chutney on the side.
      Cilantro Sauce Swirled Bread - Chutney Bread
    • Whole Wheat Pizza Braid for #BreadBakers
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    • Whole Wheat Bread Loaf using freshly milled Flour
    Three slices of sweet potato bread placed on a white plate.

    I love seeing when you share my recipes!

    Tag me on Instagram @herbivorecucina or mention #herbivorecucina so I can enjoy them virtually with you! You can also find me on Pinterest, Facebook, Tik Tok, and YouTube.

    Love this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card below & if you REALLY like it, consider a review in the comments whilst you are there, thanks!

    Purple sweet potato bread loaf placed on a slate plate with bowls on the side.

    Purple Sweet Potato Bread

    Smruti
    All natural, soft and fluffy, this Purple Sweet Potato Bread is full of flavor and subtle sweet notes.
    It is chic yet easy to make and can be used in so many recipes or just served smothered with some salted butter.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr 2 minutes mins
    Resting Time 2 hours hrs
    Total Time 1 hour hr 22 minutes mins
    Course Breads, Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24
    Calories 84 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the Sweet Potato

    • 1 medium purple sweet potato
    • 1 tablespoon oil

    For the Bread Dough

    • 3 cups all purpose flour
    • 1 cup water (warm)
    • 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
    • 2¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
    • 1½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon sugar

    Instructions
     

    • Place the sweet potatoes in a baking tray.
    • Apply some oil all over and prick with a fork. Place in a preheated oven at 425 F for 45-50 minutes, till fork tender.
    • Remove the sweet potato and peel completely.
    • Mash using a fork and set aside.
    • In a bowl add warm water and mix in sugar and salt.
    • Add active dry yeast and stir well. Cover and place in a warm spot for 10-15 minutes, till frothy.
    • In the base of a stand mixer or a large bowl add flour, salt, mashed sweet potato and unsalted butter.
    • Add the frothy yeast mixture.
    • Place the bowl in the stand mixer and start kneading with a hook attachment.
    • Knead well till the dough forms and about 5 minutes after.
    • Shape the dough into a round. Apply oil in the bowl and place the dough ball in it. Let the dough rise for 60-70 minutes in a warm place.
    • Once the dough doubles in size, punch it down.
    • Remove and lightly knead for a couple minutes.
    • Spread the dough on a baking tray into a rectangle of about 8 inches width.
    • Roll into a tight roll along the shorter side.
    • Grease a 9* 4 inch bread pan and place the dough log in it. Cover and let rise for another hour in a warm place.
    • Once the dough almost reaches the top of the pan, spray some oil based spray.
    • Bake for 22-24 minutes in an oven preheated to 425 F. Remove pan from the oven.
    • Let the bread cool a little and transfer to a baking tray or cooling rack.
    • Once it cools, slice the bread into slices of desired thickness and enjoy.

    Video

    Notes

    • Use warm water (105-110 F) to bloom the yeast. Using cold water will not bloom the yeast and hot will kill the yeast. So make sure it is just right.
    • Like all baked recipes, measure the ingredients for this purple sweet potato bread correctly. The recipe works on science and proportions.
    • Ensure the ingredients are fresh. Dated yeast or flour will not work well in the recipe.
    • Sweet potatoes are great for adding moisture, color and flavor to the bread. They can be of any color; white, orange or purple.
    • Make sure the potatoes are cooked well to mash. If it is in pieces, the pieces will not mix to give an even color.
    • Use a bread pan that fits the dough well. Because if it is too large, the bread will be pretty flat and small pans will have an overflow of dough as it rises and bakes.
    Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates using an automated calculator. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1sliceCalories: 84kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 152mgPotassium: 52mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1380IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Unknown says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:35 pm

      I will make it definitely and let you know....I’m happy I found you xoxo

      Reply
      • Smruti Ashar says

        March 10, 2022 at 7:35 pm

        Awesome!! Do share how it turns out <3

        Reply
    2. al says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:35 pm

      Don't get purple sweet potato here ...can I use food colour instead?

      Reply
      • Smruti Ashar says

        March 10, 2022 at 7:35 pm

        Yes you can. You can even use beetroots to get a pink color bread!

        Reply
    3. Vanitha says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:35 pm

      Gorgeous loaf of healthy bread!!! Love it 🙂

      Reply
      • Smruti Ashar says

        March 10, 2022 at 7:35 pm

        Thanks a lot Vanitha!

        Reply
    4. Vaidyanathan Prema says

      July 01, 2023 at 3:04 pm

      Hi!
      Thanks for this lovely recipe.
      Can you share the quantity in measurements of grams.
      Or, just share the cup capacity. TIA.

      Reply
      • Smruti says

        July 31, 2023 at 9:16 pm

        Hi. I use 120 grams of flour per cup in the recipe. The rest are measured by the same cup too.

        Reply
    5. Sushma Bhardwaj says

      July 30, 2023 at 7:28 am

      hi dear
      can i use 50-50app& wwf?

      Reply
      • Smruti says

        July 31, 2023 at 9:13 pm

        Yes for sure. It works. However, don't forget to add 1 tbsp of essential wheat gluten per cup of wheat flour used.

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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    This blog is dedicated to one of my greatest passions, Cooking. I have always loved to cook, especially trying out some unconventional recipes.

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