Christmas

Jazz Hot: Sweet Potato Pone

by:
September 22, 2011
4.3
3 Ratings
  • Serves 4-6
Author Notes

There is a tent at Jazz Fest in New Orleans (or at least there was before I had children) that sells the most delicious sweet potato pone. Somewhere between a pudding and a cake, pone is most often made with corn. Pones can also be made with sweet root vegetables like sweet potatoes. Serve pone with a savory entree or as dessert topped with whipped cream. My grandmother used make something very much like this. Here is my version. - Waverly —Waverly

Test Kitchen Notes

I have to admit, before today I had never tasted a pone and had no idea what it was. Waverly's Sweet Potato Pone fixed that. It’s really delicious. In fact I think it can wear two hats; it would be equally good as a side (think candied sweet potatoes only better and not as sweet) or as a dessert. I love the spicing and the addition of the orange zest and brandy really add to the overall flavor. It's super easy to put together, especially if you grate the sweet potato with your food processor. I had it warm with some whipped cream and imagined myself at Jazz Fest in Louisiana. - sdebrango —sdebrango

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, plus more for the topping
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 eggs at room temperature, beaten
  • 4 cups peeled and then grated sweet potatoes (about 2-3 large)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 2 tablespoons brandy
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 orange, zested
Directions
  1. PREP: Preheat the oven to 350. Butter a glass baking dish.
  2. MIX: In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and beat to combine. Add grated potatoes, milk, brandy, molasses, spices, salt and orange zest. Stir until combined.
  3. BAKE: Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish. Sprinkle with additional brown sugar on top and bake until set, about 1 hour in a shallow pan.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • gingerroot
    gingerroot
  • susan g
    susan g
  • aargersi
    aargersi
  • Michele
    Michele
Waverly used to be a lawyer and is now a mother 24/7. She has made a commitment to cooking for her family and absolutely loves it even when her family does not. She is teaching them, one meal at a time, to enjoy wholesome homemade food. She abhors processed food but recognizes its insidious nature and accepts the fact that her children will occasionally get some Skittles, Doritos, or the like. Her philosophy and hope is that if she teaches them well at home, they will prefer wholesome healthy foods when they go out into the world without her.

4 Reviews

Michele November 25, 2015
I made my husband's mother's recipe for sweet potato pone (there're both from New Orleans) for thanksgiving 2014. Then I made this recipe for Xmas 2014. Let me just say that it blew "Mummie's" version out of the running. Now hubby is requesting THIS recipe for this Thanksgiving (2015). Thanks so much! It is now become THE staple recipe for holidays.
 
gingerroot September 27, 2011
I hope to get to the Jazz Fest someday (when my kiddos are older - missed the boat on going before children), but in the meantime, I think I will be perfectly happy with your version. Yum! Thanks for the recipe.
 
susan G. September 22, 2011
This sure speaks to me!
 
aargersi September 22, 2011
How in the world did I miss that tent? This sounds so good!!!