Chocolate Cake

These are soft, moist and so moreish. THE best chocolate cake!

Many chocolate cakes are too dry and even a bit bitter in taste but not this. The use of oil rather than butter and the inclusion of the beetroot really seem to make the difference in the texture of this cake. Although there is beetroot you can't taste it but it really helps to take this cake to next level taste sensation.

The recipe is good for a full size cake or fairy / cup cakes. It makes a lovely celebration cake with a simple vanilla flavoured butter icing filling.

I've been baking this for years, it was one of the first recipes I found online when it became common to search online. Certainly before the days of Instagram and saving recipes on a phone! I'd love to quote the original author but I can't find them. However, this recipe is too good not to share it!

It's really easy to make this, I'd recommend bringing it all together in a food mixer if you have one but you could easily mix by hand. I always grate the beetroot on the coarse side by hand, using food gloves (when I have them) to save on the purple fingers. You could use a food processor but it usually seems a shame to me to get it dirty when I can just use the grater, the choice is yours though. Also, I used precooked, vacuum packed beetroot for ease.

Definitely give this a try, kids and adults alike will love it!

Recipe

Makes 1, 8 Inch sandwich cake or approx. 18 cupcakes

• 250g well drained cooked beetroots (pureed or grated)

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• 300g caster sugar

• 250ml vegetable oil

• 3 eggs

• 225g plain flour

• 1 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions

1. Heat your oven to 180°C Fan / 200° without fan.

2. Mix the beetroot, vanilla, sugar, oil and eggs together in a large bowl (I use a food mixer as it's easier).

3. Then add everything else and mix again.

4. Put the mixture into your cupcake cases or lined cake tins (divide between two 8 inch cake tins if making a single cake).

5. Place in the oven for approx. 18-20min for cupcakes and 25-30mins for a single cake.