President’s Potato Pudding – A Sweet Southern Comfort Food Classic – Black Foodie Finder

A Rich and Spiced Southern Sweet Potato Favorite

Sweet, buttery, and filled with warm spices, President’s Potato Pudding combines grated sweet potatoes, cane syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves into a comforting baked dish. Featured in The Black Family Reunion Cookbook, this traditional recipe is perfect for holiday gatherings, Sunday dinners, and family celebrations.

Ingredients

(Listed exactly as they appear in the cookbook.)

• 4 medium yams or sweet potatoes, unpeeled
• 2 cups water, divided
• 3 eggs, well beaten
• 2 cups sugar
• ½ cup cane syrup
• ⅓ cup butter, melted
• ½ cup evaporated milk
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup margarine, melted
• Salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon cloves
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Makes: 6 to 8 servings

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish or casserole to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the sweet potatoes. Thoroughly wash the sweet potatoes and remove any blemishes or undesirable spots. Leave the skins on and grate the potatoes using the coarse side of a grater.
3. Rinse the grated potatoes. Pour 1 cup of water over the grated sweet potatoes to rinse them, then drain away the excess liquid.
4. Combine the ingredients. Transfer the grated sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Add the beaten eggs, sugar, cane syrup, melted butter, evaporated milk, flour, and melted margarine. Season with salt and mix thoroughly until everything is evenly combined.
5. Add the milk and spices. Stir in the milk, remaining 1 cup of water, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon. Continue mixing until the ingredients are well distributed throughout the sweet potato mixture.
6. Transfer to the baking dish. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly.
7. Bake until golden. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the pudding develops a browned surface. Stir the mixture every 15 minutes during baking to promote even cooking.
8. Serve warm. Remove the pudding from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this sweet, spiced Southern favorite as part of a comforting family meal.

Pro Tips & Suggestions

• Use fresh sweet potatoes. Firm, fresh sweet potatoes provide the best flavor and texture for this traditional pudding.
• Grate the potatoes evenly. Coarsely grated sweet potatoes help create the pudding’s distinctive texture.
• Don’t skip the stirring. Stirring every 15 minutes helps distribute the ingredients and encourages even baking.
• Adjust the spices. For a variation, add a little extra cinnamon or nutmeg to enhance the warm, comforting flavor.
• Serve with a special topping. A spoonful of whipped cream or a drizzle of warm cane syrup makes a delicious optional finishing touch.

About the Creator

Mary O. Ross, identified in the cookbook as President of the Woman’s Convention Auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention, contributed this traditional sweet potato recipe to The Black Family Reunion Cookbook.

President’s Potato Pudding reflects the comforting flavors of Southern cooking, combining sweet potatoes, cane syrup, and warm spices in a dish suited to family gatherings and celebrations.

Mary O. Ross | The Black Family Reunion Cookbook | National Council of Negro Women

Where to Find This Recipe

The original President’s Potato Pudding recipe appears in The Black Family Reunion Cookbook: Recipes & Food Memories by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., published by Simon & Schuster.

The recipe is credited to Mary O. Ross, President of the Woman’s Convention Auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention.

This Black Foodie adaptation preserves the original ingredients and cooking method while presenting the instructions in updated language. Pro tips and serving suggestions are additional recommendations from Black Foodie.