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Home » Recipes » Vegetable Desserts

Chocolate Mashed Potato Cake with Tahini Drizzle

Published: Apr 22, 2015 · Modified: Mar 5, 2020 by Kate Hackworthy · 38 Comments

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This rich chocolate potato cake with tahini drizzle is perfect for any celebration. The mashed potato brings bulk to the cake with less fat and sugar.

A piece of cake on a plate with the cake behind it.

Potato in cake?

Yup. Potato has been used in cake for hundreds of years. It adds bulk and moisture, plus helps the cake to keep for longer.

You can't taste the potato, but it adds a nice extra richness to this decadent chocolate cake. I love tahini, so I've added an extra dash of flavour by drizzling it over the cake.

This is a celebration cake, a celebration of cake. Let's party. With a delicious Chocolate Potato Cake with Chocolate Frosting and Tahini Drizzle. Because it's sooooo tasty. 

A slice of chocolate cake on a plate.

I have an announcement (sounds klaxon)! In June I'll be teaching a class about vegetable cakes at the renowned vegetarian cookery school, Demuth's in Bath.

I'm so excited! It's such an amazing place and I'm so unbelievably flattered that they've asked me. Please come along if you can.

We'll bake cakes. Maybe even a Chocolate Potato Cake. We'll talk about veg. We'll experiment. My hands might shake a little with nerves, but hey, that's useful during whisking, right?

I've never done anything like this before, so it will be a wonderful challenge. Life can be so busy that I don't think I challenge myself enough.

A close up of a piece of cake on a plate.

My sister jumps out of planes, kayaks with whales and flies a teeny tiny little plane in the air even though it could fall out of the sky.

My other sister is a 5'2" ninja who is so highly trained in self defence that she could basically stop a gang of thugs with her pinky finger and an air kiss.

I bake cakes. Yes, like chocolate mashed potato cake.

Sure, there's a challenge in getting the maximum kale into a kale cupcake without it tasting of lawn, but my comfort zone might just be a little too snuggly and warm these days.

So I'll teach a class about cake. Cake with vegetables. Lots of vegetables. Because after a few years now of baking with veg, you could call me an expert.

I've sussed out the ratios so the desserts never taste of veggies. I've experimented with flavours, textures, methods. I'm that woman who bakes with veg. 

A cake on a cake stand in front of a bookshelf.

Get the recipe for Chocolate Potato Cake with Tahini Drizzle

📖 Recipe

A slice of cake on a plate in front of the rest of the cake.

Chocolate Mashed Potato Cake with Tahini Drizzle

Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
This rich chocolate mashed potato cake with tahini drizzle is perfect for any celebration. The mashed potato brings bulk to the cake with less fat and sugar.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 662 kcal

Ingredients
 

For the Chocolate Mashed Potato Cake

  • 1 cup (225g) butter
  • 1.5 cups (345g) granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (200g) mashed potato, cooled (no milk or seasoning added)
  • 2 cups (250g) plain (all-purpose) flour
  • ¾ cup (75g) cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup (180ml) buttermilk or milk with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice stirred in

For the Chocolate Frosting (note: double to cover cake fully like I have)

  • ¾ cup (85g) chocolate chips
  • ½ cup (100g) butter softened
  • 2 cups (200g) powdered icing sugar sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Tahini Drizzle

  • 8 tablespoon tahini
  • 1 cup (100g) powdered icing sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350F / 165C. Grease and line 2 x 9” round cake tins
  • Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time and beating each one in well. Stir in the mashed potato and vanilla.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Alternating, add ⅓ of the flour to the egg mixture and gently combine, then ⅓ of the buttermilk mixture. Repeat until all combined.
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared tins and bake for 35 minutes or until an inserted skewer comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in the tins and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before icing.

For the Chocolate Frosting:

  • Melt the chocolate in a microwave or in a bowl over a pot of simmering water (but not touching the water). Allow the chocolate to cool slightly.
  • In a large bowl, beat the butter until soft and fluffy. Beat in the powdered sugar, a little at a time. Beat in the vanilla and then gently stir in the melted chocolate. Store in the fridge until ready to use. If too thick, add a teaspoon of milk to loosen. Frost completely cooled cake as desired.

For the Tahini Drizzle:

  • Mix the tahini and icing sugar together until thick but still runny. Drizzle over the frosted cake.

Nutrition

Calories: 662kcalCarbohydrates: 89gProtein: 8gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 297mgPotassium: 307mgFiber: 3gSugar: 63gVitamin A: 805IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 96mgIron: 3mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

 

 

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 2 votes

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Michael Allen

    July 12, 2017 at 1:42 pm

    Hi,
    I came across your recipe while looking for an unusual cake to make and am going to give it a try tomorrow! Just one question though. I see the mash is made without milk , but does it still need butter or is it just purely potato?

    Thanks again for the recipe!!

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      July 12, 2017 at 2:03 pm

      Hi Michael, just potato is best, but if you have leftover mash that has butter, it should still be fine. I hope you like it!

      Reply
      • Michael Allen

        July 13, 2017 at 9:59 am

        Thanks for the quick response! I'll let you know how it went 😉

        Reply
  2. Charlotte

    February 23, 2017 at 1:58 pm

    5 stars
    Can confirm that this cake tastes AMAZING! I made it and brought it into work. My colleagues couldn't believe I used mashed potato. The best secret ingredient and this will be the only type of chocolate cake I'll be making in future 🙂

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      February 24, 2017 at 10:31 am

      I'm sooooo pleased that you liked it!! Keep an eye on the blog as I'm testing recipes for white chocolate and purple potato cupcakes 🙂

      Reply
  3. Best Cake Mixers

    September 16, 2015 at 2:38 pm

    Yummy!!!! This is really delicious

    Reply
  4. plasterer bristol

    July 20, 2015 at 8:23 am

    this sounds good. Something new to try as well. thanks for sharing this recipe.

    Simon

    Reply
  5. cassie

    June 15, 2015 at 1:37 pm

    5 stars
    I think I might be obsessed with your site. I've got two weekends to myself coming up, and I foresee some baking.

    I wanted to share this recipe, because I loved the colour so much. (You can also now buy purple yam puree in Chinese grocers, so...)

    Reply
  6. Maria

    June 06, 2015 at 10:46 am

    How many servings should this make?

    Reply
  7. Fiver Feeds

    May 02, 2015 at 1:58 am

    Didn't know this about the potato in cake, interesting fact 🙂

    Reply
  8. Hannah | The Swirling Spoon

    April 30, 2015 at 1:15 pm

    I adore this cake and everything about your website. All your recipes are brilliantly unique!
    Good luck with the cake class 🙂

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      May 03, 2015 at 1:08 pm

      THanks so much, Hannah! 😀

      Reply
  9. karen278

    April 30, 2015 at 10:45 am

    LOVE this cake Kate and also your stunning photos too! I must book a course at Demuths now that you are there too! Karen

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      May 03, 2015 at 1:08 pm

      Thanks so much, Karen. I'd love to see you at Demuth's!

      Reply
  10. kellie anderson

    April 25, 2015 at 7:30 pm

    I love this idea so much; I wish I could whip it up right now! Genius, gorgeous loveliness. And many congratulations on your cooking class at Demuth's. I can imagine that it will sell out quickly, especially if the clientele get wind of this corker of a recipe.

    Reply
  11. rovinglights

    April 24, 2015 at 12:23 pm

    Wow! This looks amazing! Tahini with anything and everything 🙂 Best of luck with the course and have fun. If only I was around Bath I would love to join 🙁

    Reply
  12. Akina Era

    April 23, 2015 at 6:10 pm

    this is so cool! i've tried potato bread before but never in cake. i'm sure it tastes just as wonderful as it looks. thanks for sharing, i will give veggies in cake a shot sometime!

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      April 25, 2015 at 11:47 am

      I hope you enjoy your adventures in vegetable cakes!

      Reply
  13. recipesfromapantry

    April 23, 2015 at 9:26 am

    You had e at mashed potato with chocolate. Wow. Plus all you sisters seem rather amazing.

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      April 25, 2015 at 11:46 am

      My sisters definitely are amazing. I miss them very much (they're on the other side of the planet).

      Reply
  14. Elizabeth

    April 23, 2015 at 9:10 am

    Congratulations on the teaching job - how exciting! 🙂 I love each and every one of your recipes; you are such an inspiring blogger and this one is no exception - gorgeous!! (your comment about kale cupcakes tasting like lawn made me lol, for real!) 😀 Thanks for sharing with the #nowastefoodchallenge!

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      April 25, 2015 at 11:45 am

      Exciting but definitely scary, Elizabeth! Thanks for your lovely, kind words 😀

      Reply
  15. Thalia @ butter and brioche

    April 23, 2015 at 5:49 am

    Wow! Mashed potato in a cake? You definitely have got me curious to know what this tastes like. Looks incredible though & I would love to learn more about how to use veggies in desserts.

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      April 25, 2015 at 11:44 am

      You can't taste the mashed potato at all!

      Reply
  16. peter @feedyoursoultoo

    April 23, 2015 at 2:59 am

    Gorgeous. I cannot believe the ingredients you used.

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      April 25, 2015 at 11:43 am

      Thanks so much, Peter!

      Reply
  17. Cindy @ Hun... What's for Dinner?

    April 23, 2015 at 2:43 am

    I can just imagine how moist the mashed potatoes make this cake. Brilliant!

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      April 25, 2015 at 11:40 am

      It really did make it nice and moist, Cindy!

      Reply
  18. Joana

    April 22, 2015 at 9:43 pm

    Quite happy to have found your blog. Wonderful recipes and a mutual love for natural baking 🙂 will be following 😀

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      April 25, 2015 at 11:39 am

      That's lovely Joana :). Natural baking is the best!

      Reply
  19. Keep Calm and Fanny On

    April 22, 2015 at 5:12 pm

    You will be FABULOUS, I have no doubt! What fun! I've always wanted to do a course there, maybe this'll be the one! Fanny had a potato chocolate pudding... She could've done with your help, it was like eating mashed potato with hot chocolate sauce! So thrilled for you, I'm sure first of many exciting adventures to come...

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      April 25, 2015 at 11:38 am

      Thanks Fanny, you're always so supportive. I would love to see you there 🙂

      Reply
  20. Fuss Free Helen

    April 22, 2015 at 5:05 pm

    Just gorgeous Kate! What a beautiful cake, I love the tahini drizzle

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      April 25, 2015 at 11:37 am

      Thanks Helen. The tahini drizzle was pretty lush. 🙂

      Reply
  21. Jac -Tinned Tomatoes (@tinnedtoms)

    April 22, 2015 at 3:10 pm

    We love using up mashed potato here is Scotland Katherine. It tops pies, i made into tattie scones and we make it into a sweet coconutty delicacy macaroons, not to be confused with macarons. I love the sound and look of your cake. Congrat on the new job, you'll be great!

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      April 25, 2015 at 11:32 am

      I sooooo want to try potato macaroons!

      Reply
  22. superfitbabe

    April 22, 2015 at 2:55 pm

    Oooh, I'm going to add sweet potatoes in mine!

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      April 25, 2015 at 11:32 am

      That would be amazing!

      Reply

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Kate Hackworthy in the kitchen

Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. Here you'll find vegetarian recipes and vegan recipes celebrating vegetables, from dinner to dessert! If you love vegetables, you've come to the right place. About Me

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