Decadent Beetroot Chocolate Cake
Indulge in the rich, moist decadence of this Decadent Beetroot Chocolate Cake, where the surprise ingredient of beets adds a delightful sweetness and a hint of earthy flavor while keeping it perfectly healthy. This recipe, inspired by SusanV Jackson from Fat Free Vegan, cleverly replaces sugar with Stevia, making it suitable for those looking to reduce their sugar intake without sacrificing taste. Topped with a luscious frosting from Recipe #264799, this cake is perfect for any occasion - be it a birthday celebration, a family gathering, or just a sweet treat for yourself. Each slice is packed with nutrients, ensuring you can enjoy your dessert guilt-free!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Beets, canned
1 (drained, 15 ounce can)
Unsweetened applesauce
1 (cup)
Water
1/4 (cup)
Vanilla extract
1 (teaspoon)
Apple cider vinegar
1 (teaspoon)
Whole wheat flour
1 (cup)
Unbleached white flour
1/2 (cup)
Cocoa powder
1/2 (cup)
Stevia or Sugar
2 tablespoons or 1 (cup (for Stevia use 2 tbsp))
Cornstarch
1 (tablespoon)
Baking soda
2 (teaspoons)
Salt
1/2 (teaspoon)
Cinnamon
1/4 (teaspoon)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease or line your preferred baking pans with parchment paper.
2
In a food processor, blend the drained beets with a splash of water until smooth. This should yield a silky puree.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine the pureed beets with applesauce, 1/4 cup of water, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is well combined.
4
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, unbleached white flour, cocoa powder, Stevia (or sugar), cornstarch, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until evenly mixed.
5
Pour the wet beet mixture into the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
6
Pour the batter into your prepared baking pans and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of your pans. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean when the cake is ready.
7
Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
8
Once cooled, frost with your favorite frosting (suggested: Recipe #264799) and enjoy your delicious creation!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Decadent Beetroot Chocolate Cake?
It is a rich, moist chocolate cake that uses pureed beets as a surprise ingredient to add sweetness and earthy flavor while keeping the dessert healthy.
Is this Beetroot Chocolate Cake vegan?
Yes, based on the ingredients and tags, this recipe is vegan as it contains no animal products.
Can I make this cake sugar-free?
Yes, the recipe suggests using 2 tablespoons of Stevia as a sugar replacement to make it suitable for those reducing sugar intake.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 325°F (163°C).
How long does the cake need to bake?
The cake typically takes between 20 to 30 minutes to bake, depending on the size of your baking pans.
How do I prepare the beets for the batter?
Drain a 15-ounce can of beets and blend them in a food processor with a splash of water until you achieve a silky smooth puree.
What is the role of applesauce in this recipe?
Unsweetened applesauce is used as a wet ingredient to provide moisture and texture without the need for added fats like oil or butter.
Which flours are required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for a combination of 1 cup of whole wheat flour and 1/2 cup of unbleached white flour.
How do I check if the cake is finished baking?
Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
Can I use regular sugar instead of Stevia?
Yes, you can substitute the Stevia with 1 cup of regular sugar if preferred.
What kind of frosting is recommended for this cake?
The recipe creator suggests using a luscious frosting from Recipe #264799.
How long should the cake cool before frosting?
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before applying frosting.
Does the cake contain any spices?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon for added flavor.
Why is apple cider vinegar included in the recipe?
Apple cider vinegar reacts with the baking soda to help the cake rise, which is especially important in vegan baking.
What is the purpose of cornstarch in this cake?
A tablespoon of cornstarch is used to help provide structure and a tender crumb to the cake.
Is this recipe low-calorie?
Yes, it is tagged as a low-calorie and healthy dessert option.
Who inspired this specific recipe?
This recipe was inspired by SusanV Jackson from Fat Free Vegan.
How much cocoa powder is needed?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of cocoa powder.
Should I use canned or fresh beets?
This specific recipe calls for one 15-ounce can of drained beets.
Is this cake suitable for birthdays?
Yes, it is described as perfect for any occasion, including birthday celebrations and family gatherings.
What should I do if the batter is too thick?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of water in the wet mixture and a splash of water for the beet puree to ensure the proper consistency.
Can I overmix the batter?
It is recommended to mix the wet and dry ingredients gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
Is there any salt in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
How many teaspoons of baking soda are used?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of baking soda.
What amount of vanilla extract is required?
One teaspoon of vanilla extract is added to the wet ingredients.
Does the cake have an earthy flavor?
The beets add a hint of earthy flavor that complements the chocolate, though the primary taste is rich and sweet.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 total ingredients listed for this cake.
What type of cocoa powder should be used?
The recipe specifies standard cocoa powder; usually, unsweetened is best for baking.
Is this cake considered guilt-free?
Yes, because it is packed with nutrients from beets and uses healthier substitutions like applesauce and Stevia.
Do I need to grease the baking pans?
Yes, you should grease the pans or line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.