Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and generously grease two loaf pans.

Step 2

In a large bowl, cream  butter and sugar.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each one.  Add vanilla.

Step 3

Sift flour, baking powder and soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt in a small bowl.  Add a little of the flour mixture at a time to butter and sugar until all incorporated.

Step 4

Drain most of syrup from the sweet potatoes.  Mash the sweet potatoes with remaining syrup in a small bowl with a fork.  Add to the cake batter and mix well.

Step 5

Divide batter between the loaf pans and bake for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaves comes out clean.

Step 6

While the cake bakes, make your simple syrup.  In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil.  Add sugar.  Stir until dissolved.  Add 3 cinnamon sticks.  Let simmer for 30 minutes.  Cool until cakes are baked.

Step 7

Cool cakes for 10 minutes.  Cover each cake with about 1/4 of the simple syrup.  Serve immediately or when completely cool.