I used to hate beetroot. Those jars of alien looking, slimy, vinegary balls. Then I had it fresh and it was a whole new experience. Now I love its earthy tones, its vibrant colour and its nutritional content. I serve it with Mackerel pate, roast it or grate it in an apple and carrot salad. Sadly, I haven’t convinced J to love it yet. So like all frustrated parents, I hide it – in this gorgeous vegan chocolate beetroot cake!
This recipe is a fun and different way to use up your beetroot crop, squeeze some extra veg into your diet and make a pretty pink creation at the same time. The beetroot adds so much moisture to the sponge and also provides a stunning natural pink dye for the icing. Your family and friends will have no idea this cake is a) vegan or b) made with beetroot!
The cake recipe is based on and adapted from the BBC Good Food Eggless Chocolate and Beetroot Cake
Ingredients
Vegan chocolate beetroot cake
175g beetroot (about 200g raw)
120ml vegetable oil
175g soft brown sugar
200g self raising flour
1tbsp baking powder
200g dairy free yoghurt
2tsp vanilla extract
Icing
250g icing sugar
140g Pure dairy free butter
Beetroot juice
Dark chocolate shavings to serve
Method
Finely grate beetroot. Press into a sieve and set aside juice.
Add all the other ingredients to grated beetroot and mix together. Line two 20cm cake tins with greaseproof paper, spoon in mixture and bake at 150c for 30-40mins.
Leave to cool.
Soften butter and gently blend in icing sugar. Add a small amount of beetroot juice and combine.
Layer the two cakes together with buttercream. Top with buttercream and chocolate shavings.
Tip: It is easy to curdle the buttercream so add the juice slowly and sparingly
So, so good, are you vegan mostly now, I try and follow it but am having the odd bit of fish so a chegan! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays x
No, my husband could never manage without meat, but my parents are ‘chegans’ so I eat a lot more that way when they’re around.
Yum! I have made beetroot brownies before but this sounds delicious, especially the icing #tastytuesday
I always think the icing is the best part of any cake!
Sneaky baking…I love it! Such a gorgeous cake! #foodpornthursdays
I’m always up for a bit of sneaky baking!
That’s a fantastic recipe Emma. Love it!
I have to say… I am a beetroot lover, but don’t use it enough in cakes. Really impressed with this though xx
Thanks, I’m really enjoying trying it in veg in cakes.
I love beetroot in any dish – this looks like a great recipe! I will definitely be trying it out! Like you, I love it’s flavour and colour. It is so good for us too. I think it is quite an underrated vegetable.#FreeFromFridays
It’s definitely underrated. Easy to grow, such an amazing colour and nutritious – a winner!
This looks great Emma! I don’t know how you have time to harvest crops, bake and look after your little ones! You are super mum clearly! Have a great weekend x
Ha, I don’t think so! I just have a 2 year old that I’ve convinced to like being my helper!!
This beetroot cake looks so delicious! Fresh beetroot is so much better than the canned/jarred varieties <3
I agree, it’s difficult to see them as the same vegetable!
So innovative! I’ve never heard of or thought of using beets in cake. Will definitely be trying this soon!
It’s very straightforward – but wear gloves if you don’t want purple hands!
I’m not sure I have ever tasted beetroot but I do love beets! And who doesn’t love cake? Yummy! Although my 4 year old girl probably wouldn’t eat the frosting cause she has become a complete hater of pink lol thanks for linking up with #foodpornthursdays!
Well I guess that’s just more frosting for you then!
Looks delicious!
Sure is!
Yay, a vegetable cake – my favourite kind! This looks lovely and is a fab entry to #ExtraVeg!
Love a vegetable cake!
I love cakes with veggies in, and this looks so so good. thanks for sharing with #extraveg
It was yummy.
Seriously good idea! Looks great and I bet its lovely and moist.