Glazed Sweet Potato Cake

Found this recipe in the 1995 publication, The Simply Healthy Lowfat Cookbook.

• Ready In: 1 hr 40 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• FOR THE CAKE

• 1  lb sweet potato
• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 cup  unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1⁄8 teaspoon allspice
• 1⁄8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1⁄3 cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄3 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1⁄3 cup  vegetable oil
• 3  egg whites
• 1  large carrot, shredded
• 2⁄3 cup low-fat buttermilk (1.5%)
• 1⁄2 cup carrot juice

• FOR THE GLAZE

• 1  cup powdered sugar
• 2  tablespoons  orange juice
• 2  teaspoons orange zest, minced

Directions

1. FOR THE CAKE: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Prick the sweet potatoes several times with a fork, then place them on a baking sheet & bake until tender, about 45 minutes.
3. When cool enough to handle, peel & mash with a fork, then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
4. Generously spray a 9"x13" baking pan with nonstick cooking spray & set aside.
5. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, allspice & cloves, then set aside.
6. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat together the mashed sweet potatoes, the granulated sugar, brown sugar & vegetable oil until light & fluffy, then beat in the egg whites until well combined, before folding in the shredded carrot.
7. In a small bowl, stir together the buttermilk & carrot juice, then alternately fold the buttermilk mixture & the flour mixture into the sweet potato mixture, beginning & ending with the flour mixture.
8. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top, then bake for 35 minutes or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack.
10. FOR THE GLAZE: In a medium bowl, stir together the powdered sugar, orange juice & orange zest.
11. When the cake has cooled, drizzle the glaze over the cake, then slice & ENJOY!