Velvety Beet Brownies

Beet purée enriches the flavour and moisture of these dense, dark chocolate brownies. Loaded with antioxidants (and free of nuts), they’re perfect to pack in your kids’ school lunches.

Best Health Magazine, March/April 2012; Photo by Michael Alberstat

 

Servings
16brownies (about 2 in. square)
Servings
16brownies (about 2 in. square)
Ingredients
Servings: brownies (about 2 in. square)
Units:
Ingredients
Servings: brownies (about 2 in. square)
Units:
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a nine-inch (23-cm) square baking pan with parchment (or spray with oil and dust with flour).
  2. In a large saucepan, melt chocolate and butter over low heat, stirring often.
  3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine flour with salt and baking powder.
  4. Once chocolate has melted, remove from heat and stir in sugar until evenly mixed, then add vanilla, beet purée and eggs. When well mixed, fold in flour mixture, then scrape batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 35 minutes. Cool, then dust with icing sugar, if desired.
How to make beet puree
  1. Boil two medium unpeeled beets until very tender. Drain, run under cold water to cool, then carefully slip off the skins. (Or wrap beets in foil and roast in preheated 375 degree F oven until tender. When cool enough to handle, slip off skins.) Coarsely chop beets, then whirl in food processor until you get a smooth puree. This can be refrigerated for five days, or frozen for up to three months (thaw before using).
Recipe Notes

Per brownie: 142 calories, 2 g protein, 9 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 15 g carbohydrates, 2 g fibre, 42 mg cholesterol, 56 mg sodium