Rosemary Chocolate Beet Cake

Caitlin Elberson

This recipe was submitted by Caitlin Elberson in our 2014 We ♥ Local Beets Recipe Competition. Caitlin says, “I love this recipe because it seems to be a real people pleaser. I love serving it to diverse crowds and realizing that everyone enjoys it - adults with sophisticated palates as well as children who don’t even realize there are beets in it! This recipe is also special because all ingredients can be sourced locally in Vermont and/or organically, making it a treat that can really be enjoyed.”

Rosemary Chocolate Beet Cake

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

38 minutes

Yield

1 Loaf

Ingredients

1 cup flour, whole wheat pastry (or all purpose)
1⁄2 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄4 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt (finely ground)
1⁄2 cup coconut oil (melted, or butter)
1⁄2 cup sugar
1⁄4 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
2 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1⁄2 cups beet (raw, peeled, finely grated)
2 teaspoons rosemary, fresh (finely minced)

Instructions

Set an oven rack in the middle of the oven with plenty of room above it and preheat the oven to 350°.

Grease an 8½- by 4½-inch loaf pan with butter and then sprinkle a light layer of flour, tapping out any excess flour that does not cling.

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In another large mixing bowl, using a large whisk, whisk together the coconut oil, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes.

Stir the grated beet into the coconut oil mixture.

Add the flour mixture to the coconut oil-beet mixture with a large spatula. Combine gently but well, so that no flour remains visible in the batter. Mix in the rosemary.

Spoon the batter immediately into the prepared pan, and set in the center of the preheated 350° oven.

Bake for about 38-40 minutes. If the loaf is pulling away from the edges of the pan, immediately pull it from the oven. Over-baking this bread will make it dry.