Beautiful Beet Brownies (Fudgy for sure!)
Posted by Jill Bosich on
Ok, so let's talk about the health benefits of beets! Beets are a hardy root vegetable with multiple varieties grown all over the world. They generally have an earthy, mineral-like, sweet taste that many enjoy and are packed with solid nutrition.
Now let's talk about chocolate! It's said that regularly eating a small amount of dark chocolate may have the following benefits: lowering cholesterol levels, preventing cognitive decline, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular problems. Now where I'm not suggesting that in consuming these brownies is in any way, shape or form a healthful food, the recipe does have functional ingredients that are proven to provide healthful benefits!
You've heard of carrot cake! You've heard of zucchini bread... Give these beautiful beet brownies a go the next time you need a delicious treat! The moisture from the hearty root vegetable supplies a dense fudgyness to the final result that's unmatched! I think you'll love them if you love all things deep, dark, and chocolate rich!
Ingredients
- ½ pound beets, boiled, peeled
- 2 sticks unsalted butter
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1¼ cups all purpose flour
- 1½ t. baking powder
- ¼ t. salt
- 4 eggs, room temperature
- 1 t. vanilla extract
- 1 c. dark brown sugar, packed
- Additional chocolate chips, walnuts, pecans (optional)
Instructions
In a food processor, puree beets until smooth. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8x8 baking pan with pan spray generously. In a heavy sauce pan, melt butter slowly, add chocolate chips and stir constantly to melt. Mixture should be smooth. Remove from heat and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, vanilla extract, and dark brown sugar until fluffy. Add the beet puree, then the chocolate mixture until just combined. Add the flour mixture and mix just until combined. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth top with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle with additional chocolate chips or chopped nuts to your liking. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs sticking to it. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
Adapted from: Pinch & Swirl