Sweet Potato and Vanilla Cake from Réunion

[Dyfed]

This is a classic cake recipe from the Island of Reunion, East Africa

Ingredients:
1.5kg sweet potatoes
500g sugar
5 eggs
2 vanilla pods
300g butter
150ml double cream
50ml rum

Method:
Bring a pan of water to a boil, scrub the sweet potatoes clean (do not
peel) then add to the pan and boil for about 35 minutes, or until the
sweet potatoes are tender all the way through. Drain the sweet
potatoes and set aside to cool.

Soften the butter in a bowl. Split the vanilla pods in half lengthways
then cut each pod half into four equal lengths.

Once the sweet potatoes can be handled peel them then place into a
bowl and mash until smooth. Work in the eggs and vanilla pod pieces
then add the creamed butter mixture, the cream and the rum. Beat the
batter until smooth.

Turn the batter into a greased and floured springform cake tin.
Transfer to an oven pre-heated to 180°C and bake for about 60
minutes or until the cake is golden brown and cooked through (a skewer
inserted into the centre should emerge cleanly).

Allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack
to cool completely.

For more classic recipes from Réunion see:
http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/reunion.php