Who would have thought you could add the goodness of ruby red beets to chocolate cake? The beet’s natural sweetness and moisture adds a delicious and unique flavor that perfectly pairs with chocolate, making this delectable cake tender and moist.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Roasting Time: 60 minutes
Baking Time: 50 minutes
Serves 8
3 Ontario Beets (about 1 lb/500 g)
2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (125 mL) unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1-1/2 tsp (7 mL) baking soda
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
3 Ontario Eggs
1/4 cup (50 mL) vegetable oil
1-1/2 cups (375 mL) packed brown sugar
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla
3/4 cup (175 mL) hot water
Icing:
1 cup (250 mL) 35% Ontario Whipping Cream
1 tbsp (15 mL) granulated sugar
1 tbsp (15 mL) unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
Trim both ends of beets. Wrap beets with foil and place on baking sheet. Bake in 400°F (200°C) oven for 45 to 60 minutes or until tender when pierced with sharp knife. Unwrap and let beets cool slightly; slip off skins. Roughly chop and place in food processor and process until smooth. Measure out 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) beet purée.
Reduce oven to 350°F (180°C). Spray 9-inch (23 cm) round baking pan with cooking spray and line with circle of parchment paper.
In medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; set aside.
In large bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, brown sugar, vanilla and beet purée. Add flour mixture to beet mixture alternately with hot water, beginning and ending with flour mixture, stirring until smooth.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean. Let cool in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes. Turn cake out and let cool completely.
Icing: In large chilled bowl, using electric mixer on high, whip cream, sugar and cocoa, until firm peaks form. Pipe rosettes or frost top of cake and dust with cocoa; if desired.
Tips: Omit cocoa from whipping cream and add 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla for vanilla whipped cream.
If you have any extra beet purée freeze for another use.
Nutritional Information:
1 Serving
PROTEIN: 8 grams
FAT: 20 grams
CARBOYHDRATE: 73 grams
CALORIES: 494
FIBRE: 2 grams
SODIUM: 454 mg
– Printed with permission from Foodland Ontario
