Out the (Organic Food) Box – Beetroot and Chocolate Cake

Continuing on from last week’s ode to beetroot, I want to share this fantastic cake with you. I know you might think I’ve gone mad, but the truth is, beetroot and chocolate are a fantastic mix. Especially beetroot and bitter dark chocolate. And what a great way to get such a healthy vegetable into your children too!

In a way this is a ‘healthier’ chocolate cake too (or so I tell myself – hear me out!) as normally I like my chocolate cake to have a thick layer of equally chocolatey icing and a nice rich jam, cream or icing layer in the  middle. This recipe, however, is so rich, all it needs is a sprinkle of icing sugar for decorative purposes.

Ingredients:

• 175 g cooked beetroots, roughly chopped
• 200 g plain flour
• 100 g cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 250 g golden caster sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 200 ml sunflower oil
• 100 g dark chocolate

Instructions:

1. Heat the oven to 180C
2. Tip the beetroot into a blender & blitz until chopped.
3. Add a pinch of salt & the rest of the ingredients, expect the oil & chocolate.
4. When completely mixed pour the oil in in a steady stream while mixing all the time.
5. (If it is very dry, stir in a few teaspoons of milk, one at a time)
6. Melt the chocolate
7. Stir in the chocolate, then tip the mix into a lined 900g loaf tin or cake tin.
8. Cook for 45 – 60 mins until a inserted skewer comes out clean.
9. Leave on a rack to cool.
10. Sprinkle with icing sugar to serve