Tuesday 12 June 2012

Tuesday tasters........Chocolate and Beetroot Cake.(Recipe)



 Chocolate and Beetroot Cake Recipe.

250g (9oz) cooked beetroot
75g (2¾oz) dark chocolate, broken into pieces
125g (4½oz) butter, softened
300g (10½oz) soft light-brown sugar
3 large eggs
50g (1¾oz) cocoa
powder, sifted
225g (8oz) self-raising flour, sifted
¼ tsp salt 


Method
Grate the beetroot quite coarsely. Put the chocolate into a bowl set over a pan of simmering water and melt. Put the butter, sugar and eggs in a mixer and beat until light and pale. Add the melted chocolate then fold in the cocoa powder, flour and salt. Finally, stir in the beetroot.
Pour the batter into a greased cake tin measuring 20-23cm (8-9in) and cook in an oven preheated to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4 for 45 to 50 minutes. The cake is ready when a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Turn on to a wire rack to cool. 


chocolate and beetroot cake
Chocolate and beetroot cake with Cointreau and fresh oranges.


 Once cooled the cake was sliced through the middle and then some chocolate was melted and a frosting made to go in the middle of the cake. You could decorate the top too...or even make a different filling.

It was served with fresh oranges (well I think it was actually Clementines but you get the general idea) and Cointreau. The Cointreau was poured over the cake just before eating.

This was a wonderfully indulgent dessert with the Cointreau and chocolate...yet you can also tell yourself you are being healthy as you are eating fruit and veg too!!

Of course if you want to enjoy this with your children then leave out the Cointreau!!


16 comments:

  1. The cointreau does make it indulgent! I had heard using beetroot made the cake moist. I like the idea that a chocolate cake is healthy :)

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    1. It was a wonderful end to the meal Sue. The cake was deliciously moist, I doubt it was really healthy...but adding a bit of fruit and veg certainly gives that illusion!!

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  2. It looks delicious. If only I could get my beetroot to germinate.

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    1. My beetroot doesn't seem to be doing too well this year, I germinated it in the greenhouse but since planting it doesn't seem to have grown at all.

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  3. if it's got chocolate in it, it's gotta be good :)

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  4. Does it taste like alcohol a lot with the cointreau on top? Otherwise, looks divine!

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    1. It doesn't taste like alcohol ALOT but you can certainly taste it...but you don't have to add it, we were just friends being particularly indulgent...it's great without it to!!

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  5. Dear Tanya, What a delicious chocolate cake. I think the whole cake is healthy. Chocolate is supposed to be good for you and I love chocolate.
    Your gardens look wonderful. I have a small garden to tend. I did some planting this year. I planted a few veggies and some herbs. I am looking forward to the results.
    Thank you for your visits dear friend. I look forward to them. Blessings dear. Catherine

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    1. I think it is healthy too. I don't believe in diets or this nonsense that stuff is bad for you, everything is good for you in moderation and it's good to indulge sometimes...diets are over-rated and I have never been on one!!

      Good luck with your harvest this year...maybe you can use some in your cooking.

      I enjoy visiting your site...thanks for all the wonderful recipes you share.

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  6. I have never even heard of beetroot! but this cake definitely looks yummy!! thanks..I love to learn about something new.

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    1. I can't believe you've never heard of beetroot. It is a wonderful root veg. Most are a deep purple colour and they are good baked or pickled, you can also eat it raw, juice it, add it to cakes and savoury dishes...be careful though...if a lot is eaten/drank at once it changes the colour of your urine which can cause people to panic a little if they don't know.

      It has quite a strong flavour which is toned down when added to cooking so if you tried it on it's own and didn't like it don't be put off adding it to a cake.

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  7. I think this is my kind of food. I bet everyone is thinking that though.

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    1. There are the people that don't eat beetroot so wouldn't want to give this a try Ratty...lol.

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  8. Dear Tanya!
    I simply must try this recipe!
    Best wishes,
    Anna

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keep it clean...keep it relevant...I look forward to reading your comments!!