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Sweet Potato Cakes (Japanese Sweet Potato)
Makes 6 · About 50 min
Soften sweet potato in the microwave, mix it with sugar, butter, milk and egg yolk, and brown it in a toaster oven.
① Cut the sweet potato→② Heat in the microwave→③ Mash and mix→④ Stir over low heat→⑤ Shape the patties→⑥ Bake in the toaster oven
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How to make it
1
Cut the sweet potato
- Wash the sweet potato well and cut off both ends
- Cut into rounds 1.5 cm thick
- Put each round on the cutting board and cut off the skin thickly, about 3 mm (also removing the stringy layer just inside the skin makes it smoother)
- Soak in a bowl of water for 5 minutes, then drain in a colander
How to tell it's doneAll the cut surfaces are yellow, with no different-colored parts left near the skin.
Be carefulSweet potato is hard. Lay each round cut side down so it does not wobble before cutting. Do not put your hand on top of the knife blade to push.
2
Heat in the microwave
- Put the sweet potato in a microwave-safe bowl and sprinkle with 1 tbsp water
- Cover loosely with plastic wrap and microwave at 600 W for 5–6 minutes
- Poke it with a bamboo skewer (or chopsticks). If it is hard, microwave 1 minute at a time more
How to tell it's doneThe skewer slides easily into the biggest piece.
Be carefulThe bowl is very hot when it comes out of the microwave. Use oven mitts. Gently peel off the plastic wrap starting from the far side (the steam can easily burn you).
3
Mash and mix while hot
- Pour out any water left in the bowl
- While hot, mash with a masher (or a fork) until there are no lumps
- Add 3 tbsp sugar and 20 g butter and mix until the butter melts
- Crack the egg and use the shell to put just the yolk in a small dish. Add half the yolk and 2 tbsp milk to the bowl and mix (use the rest of the yolk for glazing. Put the white in the fridge and use it by the next day in an omelet or soup. Cook it through before eating)
How to tell it's doneIt is all the same yellow, with no big lumps left.
4
Stir over low heat
- Move the mixture from step 3 to a frying pan (or pot) over low heat
- Stir for 2–3 minutes, turning it over from the bottom with a spatula (to cook the yolk and dry off the moisture)
- If it is too stiff to come together, add 1 tbsp milk
How to tell it's doneWhen you scoop it with the spatula and drop it, it lands in a soft lump that keeps its shape.
Be carefulThe mixture is very hot while stirring and can splatter. Keep your face away and do not touch it with your hands.
5
Shape the patties
- Spread it on a plate and cool for 5 minutes until you can touch it
- Divide into 6 equal portions. Wet your hands a little and shape each one into an oval about 6 cm long
- Cut aluminum foil to the size of the toaster oven tray, line the tray, and space them out on it
- Mix 1/2 tsp water into the rest of the yolk and brush a thin layer on top with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle a few toasted black sesame seeds on top if you like
How to tell it's doneAll 6 are about the same size, with yolk brushed on top.
6
Bake in the toaster oven
- Bake in the toaster oven for 8–10 minutes
- Check partway through. If they look like they will burn, loosely cover with aluminum foil
- If using an oven, preheat to 200°C and bake 12–15 minutes
- Take them out and let cool about 5 minutes before eating
ReadyThe tops are nicely browned and shiny.
Be carefulThe inside of the toaster oven and the tray are very hot. Use oven mitts to take them out. Freshly baked sweet potato cakes are hot inside, so let them cool a little before eating.
Be carefulPut leftovers in the fridge and eat within about 2 days.
📚 Learn more about this dish
🥬 Ingredient guide
🔪 Cutting & cooking tips
If it didn't work out
The mixture is too soft to shapeToo much moisture. Stir 1–2 more minutes in step 4 to dry it off. Next time, start with 2 tbsp milk and add more as needed.
It is crumbly and dryYou mashed it after it cooled in step 3, or there was not enough milk. Mash while hot, add 1 tbsp milk and stir.
It doesn't brownThe yolk was not brushed on, or it did not bake long enough. Bake 2–3 more minutes. Toaster ovens differ in strength, so check and add time as needed.
The top burnedToo close to the heat in the toaster oven. Next time, check partway and cover with aluminum foil once it browns.
It is stringy or has black specksThe skin was peeled too thinly in step 1. Next time, peel it thickly, about 3 mm, and also remove the stringy layer inside.
It is not sweet enoughSweet potatoes differ in sweetness. Next time, taste in step 3 and add sugar 1 tsp at a time.
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