Father's Day Choc-Beet Treat

I don't need too much of an excuse to bake a cake - but being Father's Day - the temptation was too much. I've had baby beets just begging to be eaten so I fished out the chocolate cake with beets recipe from my deceptively delicious book. Jessica Seinfeld has created this deceptive cookbook trying to hide all sorts of healthy vege amongst her baking - often disguised with lots of sugar! That is a whole other topic so I will try and stay on track.

The beetroots get roasted first - save yourself some time and electricity by doing this the night before while you have something else in the oven.

Beetroots trimmed but not peeled
then wrapped in foil and roasted
for approx 40min - peeled when cooled

I then finely diced them using my nifty tupperware chopping gadget - you could try and puree like the recipe says, but this way seems far easier. You need half a cup for this recipe.

Beat 1 cup of firmly packed light or dark brown sugar with 1/4 cup margarine until creamy. Add one whole egg then 2 egg whites one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then beat in 85grams of melted dark chocolate that has been cooled. Then add the beetroot (1/2 cup), 1/2 cup buttermilk (I used skim) and 1 tsp vanilla beating well.

Add 2 cups plain flour, 1 tsp bi-carb soda, and pinch salt, beating well again. You will have the gloriously deep pink mix that looks divine!

Pour into a lined 9-inch round cake pan and bake 180deg for about 40 minutes. Let the cake cool for 5 minutes before turning out and when cooled completely ice with some chocolate icing. The recipe says it will keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days - but they are kidding themselves - ours will not last the day out!

While we are munching down this divine cake I fess up to the kids and admit the added vege - but it did not bother them at all! Happy Fathers' Day to all - especially our Ol' Rusty Possum daddy!