Dark Chocolate Beet Brownies
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This is an easy recipe for eggless dark chocolate beet brownies. A healthier alternative to the classic sweet treat that everyone loves. Moist, chocolatey and tasty dessert!
This might not be your traditional brownies recipe but it sure tastes delicious. Pureed beet keeps these chocolate beet brownies moist, and applesauce is added instead of eggs.
How to make dark chocolate beet brownies
Tools:
- Chopping board & knife
- Saucepan & bowl – to melt the chocolate and butter
- Spatula – or wooden spoon
- Food processor – or fine grater to grate the beets
- Medium mixing bowl & wooden spoon – to mix everything together
- Brownie pan – Either 7, 8 or 9-inch pan will work great
- Baking parchment paper – optional but recommended
Ingredients:
- Main: All-purpose flour, butter, dark chocolate
- Condiments: Baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, apple sauce, sugar
- Vegetables: Beets
The prep:
Melt the chocolate and butter. When ready, stir in the sugar and set it aside. Puree the beet.
The next step is mixing together dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, baking soda and cocoa powder. To this add applesauce, pureed beets, melted chocolate and mix everything well.
Pour the batter into a brownie pan lined with baking parchment and bake! Note: A complete recipe card is at the end of this post.
Such an easy and tasty sweet treat that is also better for you. If you are looking for more healthy desserts or snacks, I highly recommend making chocolate covered dates. Keep them in the fridge and each time take out as many as you like. They are so good!
Another great dessert is avocado chocolate mousse. As for snacks, have you tried making cinnamon almonds at home? They are so easy to make. They can also be turned into gifts!
Frequently asked questions:
They are definitely healthier than classic brownies thanks to using dark chocolate with 70% cocoa content as well as adding pureed beet to the batter.
The amount of refined sugar in this recipe is kept to a minimum as beets and applesauce will also add to the sweetness of these brownies.
No, you will not taste it at all.
1 brownie contains 229 calories which is about half of a classic chocolate brownie. Now this is based on 9 slices.
Note: Many recipes for traditional brownies calculate the nutrition based on 16 slices though. This brings the calorie count rapidly down and makes it seem that they are quite low in calories.
If you wanted to cut these into 16 pieces, then 1 piece would contain 129 calories only!
Useful tips:
- To make the prep quicker you can do steps 1 and 2 at the same time: Prep the beets while waiting for the chocolate to melt.
- I often buy cooked beets from my local supermarket. This saves me time cooking it and peeling it. However, you can also buy fresh beets and cook them yourself, if you like. I have a recipe for instant pot beets, if interested.
- The sweetness of these brownies may vary. This will depend on the sweetness of applesauce and beets.
- Make sure to use unsweetened natural cocoa powder. Not a hot cocoa powder!
- The baking time may vary. This depends on your oven but also on your taste. If you like them gooey then 40 minutes should be perfect. If not, cook them longer.
More unique brownie recipes
- Strawberry Marshmallow Brownies – Almost like chocolate strawberry s’mores minus Graham crackers.
- Peanut Butter Banana Brownies – These are not only better for you but taste amazing! Plus, they are flourless!
Want to see how to make dark chocolate beet brownies? Watch the video!
Dark Chocolate Beet Brownies
Ingredients
- 3 ounces dark chocolate 70% cocoa content (90 grams), see note 1
- ⅓ cup butter (75 grams), see note 2
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
- 10 ounces cooked beets (280 grams), see note 3
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (140 grams), see note 4
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder , see note 5
- 1 cup applesauce (250 grams), see note 6
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 Fahrenheit/190 Celsius.
- Finely chop the chocolate. Melt it in a heat-proof bowl with butter over a pot of simmering water. When ready, stir in the sugar. Set aside.
- Cut beets into chunks and puree in a food processor. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine together flour, baking soda, baking powder and cocoa powder. Mix well.
- To this, add applesauce, pureed beets and melted chocolate. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
- Pour the batter into a brownie pan (see note 7) lined with baking parchment. Bake in the middle rack for 40 minutes or until to your liking.
Video
Notes
- Good quality dark chocolate chips can be used as a substitute.
- Use real butter, not butter substitutes.
- You can also use slightly less – 8 ounces (240 grams) will also work just fine.
- All-purpose flour (US) = Plain flour (UK).
- You can use regular cocoa powder or Dutch processed as well. Don’t substitute with hot cocoa powder.
- The sweeter the sauce the sweeter the brownies. If you can, use sauce with less sugar.
- 7, 8 or 9-inch pans will work here great.
- Use baking parchment to line the pan for an easy cleanup.
These look amazing! Do you have any recommendations for a sugar substitute? Do you think this would bake okay with say 1/4 cup of honey or maple syrup rather then 1/2 granulated sugar?
Hi Katie. I have not tried substituting the sugar so not sure if those 2 options would work.
These brownies look so delicious – moist and dense. YUM ♥
Thanks, Natalie!
perfect for valentines day!! these are gorgeous
Thank you!
Totally intrigued here! Looks divine without the guilt. Can’t wait to try!
I have got to look for that ready cooked beets at the store. These brownies looks delicious.
Thanks, Ellen!
These look so moist and I love adding beetroot to the brownies too.
Thanks!
These are a great way to sneak some vegetables in. They look lovely and fluffy.
Thanks, Dannii!
These look moist and gooey, just how I love my brownies! I also love beets and have been wanting to try beet brownies. This is going on my list (and I love the pink powdered sugar).
You gotta give this recipe a go so! :)