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Beet brownies. It sounds like an oxymoron.
Honestly, I was in my late thirties before I ate beets. One fateful night, my chef friend David Keener came to dinner and prepared “beets three ways” to get me to love beets, and he won!
As a child, I recall falling asleep at the dinner table over beet soup (borscht). Yuck. I always thought that they tasted like dirt. I was right! However, as tastes become more sophisticated, beets bring depth to any meal, not dessert. Who would have thought? Seeing is believing, and they are surprisingly delicious. This delicious brownie recipe will change your mind about beets.
What Are Beet Brownies?
Beet brownies are a delightful twist on the classic brownie, bringing a unique blend of flavors and a vibrant color to your dessert table. By incorporating beet puree into the batter, these brownies gain a beautiful red hue and a subtle earthy flavor that perfectly complements the richness of chocolate. Whether you’re a beet enthusiast or just looking to try something new, beet brownies are a fantastic way to add excitement to your baking routine. Plus, they’re a sneaky way to incorporate more veggies into your diet without sacrificing taste! Vegan beet brownies can be made using vegan substitutes like flax eggs and vegan butter, creating a guilt-free dessert that appeals even to those skeptical of beets.
The concept of Beet Brownies escaped me at first.
We are all creatives. We are always trying to get more veggies and nutrition into our diets and our families' diets. I remember the “drink your milk” daily nag in my youth. It's funny how times and perspectives on health and nutrition have changed. You will never know that beets are in these brownies.
The Benefits of Using Beets in Baking
Cooked beets and baking with honey add moisture and a unique texture, reducing the need for refined sugars and oils. Beets are also rich in vitamins and minerals, making them a nutritious addition to your baked goods. Incorporating pureed cooked beets into your recipes can enhance your treats' flavor and nutritional profile.
Beets are a powerhouse of nutrients, making them a fantastic addition to your baking repertoire. The nutritional content of beet brownies can include vitamins A and C. Rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals; beets can elevate the nutritional profile of your desserts. They are packed with antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation and boost overall health.
Beets also add moisture and a unique texture in baking, reducing the need for refined sugars and oils. This makes your treats not only healthier but also more flavorful and satisfying. So, when you make beet brownies, you’re not just indulging in a delicious treat but also doing something good for your body.
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Essential Ingredients for Beet Brownies: Beet Puree
To whip up a batch of these delectable beet brownies, you’ll need a few key ingredients that bring out the best in this unique dessert:
- Beet puree: The star of the show! Cooked and pureed beets add a beautiful color and subtle beet flavor to the brownies. You can cook fresh or frozen beets in the oven or on the stovetop. To save time, you can buy pre-cooked beets from grocery stores. The earthy taste of beets can be balanced by adding honey. Different cooking methods for beets include roasting, fast-cooking in an Instant Pot, and steaming in a pressure cooker.
- Chocolate chips: Dark chocolate chips are essential for any brownie recipe, and they pair wonderfully with the earthy notes of beets. Chocolate chips or chocolate chunks can be added to the beet brownie batter.
- Baking powder: This leavening agent ensures your brownies have a light and fluffy texture.
- Honey: A touch of honey adds natural sweetness and depth to your brownies.
- Food processor: A food processor or blender is crucial for mixing and pureeing the ingredients to a smooth consistency.
- Melted chocolate: Melted chocolate helps bind the ingredients together and adds a rich, fudgy texture to the brownies.
- Cocoa powder: A sprinkle of organic dark cocoa powder enhances the deep, chocolatey flavor of the brownies and supplements the use of chocolate chips.
Gather these ingredients, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a unique and nutritious brownie recipe.
Preparing Beet Puree for Brownies
Beet brownies can be made with beet puree mixed into the batter. Preparing beet puree is a simple process that adds a vibrant touch to your brownies. Follow these steps to get it just right:
- Cook the beets: Wrap them in foil and roast them in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 45 minutes, or until they’re tender when pierced with a fork. This method brings out their natural sweetness.
- Peel and chop: Once the beets have cooled, peel off the skins and chop them into small pieces. This makes them easier to blend.
- Puree: Transfer the chopped beets to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. You want a silky consistency to blend seamlessly into your brownie batter.
- Strain: For an extra smooth puree, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove excess liquid. This step ensures your brownies have the perfect texture.
With your beet puree ready, you can add a nutritious and colorful twist to your brownies. Baked in a preheated oven, beat brownies are a delicious treat. This recipe, just like all brownie recipes, calls for greasing or lining the baking pan with parchment paper.
How to Make Beet Brownies with Beet Puree
First things first, you’re going to need to gather your ingredients for these gluten-free beet brownies. This beet brownie recipe uses oat flour instead of a regular mixture, so these are gluten-free brownies! Here’s your shopping list:
- Raw cashews
- Bee Inspired Honey
- Sea salt
- Vanilla extract
- Organic butter or coconut oil
- Mashed banana
- Raw beets
- Filtered water
- Eggs
- Cocoa powder
- Gluten-free oat flour
- Baking soda
- Arrowroot powder
- Coconut flour: This gluten-free flour helps create a fudgy texture and adds a wholesome touch to your brownies.
- Butter and chocolate chips: Melt these together to create a smooth brownie batter. Dark chocolate chips pair wonderfully with the earthy notes of beets.
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Follow these steps
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees and prep a 9-inch square pan generously with butter (or coconut oil).
- Add the first eight ingredients, including roasted beets, and blend until the beets and cashews are well chopped. Scrape down the sides of the blender as necessary.
- Add eggs and cocoa and pulse a few more times.
- Add oat flour, baking soda, arrowroot, and chocolate chips. Blend on medium until well blended.
- Pour into prepared pan. Baking times for beet brownies typically range from 25 to 35 minutes. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Tips for Perfect Brownies
Creating the perfect batch of chocolate beet brownies is an art, but with a few expert tips, you can master it quickly. Here’s how to ensure your brownies turn out perfectly every time:
- Use high-quality cocoa powder: Opt for a premium cocoa powder to give your brownies a rich, intense chocolate flavor that stands out.
- Don’t overmix: Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense brownies, which we want to avoid.
- Use the right type of sugar: A combination of granulated sugar and maple syrup balances out the earthy flavor of the beets, adding just the right amount of sweetness.
- Don’t overbake: Watch your brownies and bake them until they’re just set in the center. Overbaking can cause them to dry out, and we want them to stay moist and fudgy.
- Use melted chocolate: Melt the chocolate chips with the butter to create a smooth, creamy batter that blends beautifully with the beet puree.
- Add-ins are optional: Feel free to get creative with nuts, dried fruit, or other mix-ins to create a unique flavor combination that suits your taste.
- Use a food processor: Puree the cooked beets and mix the batter in a food processor for a smooth, even texture that ensures every bite is delicious.
- Don’t skip the resting time: Let the brownies rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing. This allows the flavors to meld together and the brownies to set properly.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating perfect, delicious, healthy chocolate beet brownies that everyone will love.
Discover expert tips to ensure your beet brownies turn out perfectly every time.
How to Make Our Beet Brownies Recipe Your Own
The most rewarding thing about making your food at home is adapting it to your tastes. If you need some inspiration to get started, here are some ideas to make this beet brownie recipe your own:
- You can substitute 1/2 cup of almond or cashew butter for the raw cashews.
- You can make your oat flour by placing oats in a blender on high until they are consistent with the flour.
- You can make this recipe in a blender.
- You can make this recipe in a muffin tin to serve small beetroot muffins for breakfast!
Customizing and Storing Your Brownies
One of the joys of baking at home is the ability to customize your creations to suit your tastes. Here are some ideas to make your beet brownies even more special:
- Nuts: Add a handful of walnuts or pecans for a delightful crunch and extra flavor.
- Dried fruit: Mix in some dried cranberries or cherries for a sweet and fruity twist.
- Coconut flakes: A sprinkle of coconut flakes can add a lovely texture and tropical flavor.
- Chocolate chunks: You can never have too much chocolate! Add extra chocolate chunks to the brownies for an indulgent treat.
To keep your beet brownies fresh, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
- Cool completely: Allow the brownies to cool in the pan. Beet brownies should cool completely before being sliced into squares, which helps them set properly.
- Store in an airtight container: Transfer the cooled brownies to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. This keeps them moist and delicious.
- Freeze: For extended storage, you can freeze the brownies for up to 3 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
With these tips, your beet brownies will stay fresh and tasty, ready to be enjoyed whenever you crave a delicious and healthy treat.
We are "rooting" for you to enjoy these beet brownies!
And there you have it! With these simple tips and tricks, you can create delicious and healthy chocolate beet brownies that are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. Whether you’re a fan of beets or just looking for a new twist on traditional brownies, this recipe is sure to please.
Remember, making beet brownies is a journey, not a destination. Experiment with different flavors and ingredients to create your perfect brownie recipe. And don’t be afraid to get creative with add-ins and mix-ins to make your brownies unique.
So go ahead, try this recipe, and indulge in these delicious beet brownies' rich, chocolatey goodness. Your taste buds (and your health) will thank you! Share your journey of making delicious and healthy chocolate beet brownies and encourage readers to try the recipe.
Looking for more ideas for incorporating vegetables in your dessert? Try this Raw Chocolate Pudding
