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Moist and decadent beetroot chocolate squares (secretly healthy)

Marna Oettle
Chocolate squares / brownies made from oats, beetroot, and cocoa powder
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Course cake, Dessert, tea time treat
Cuisine Healthy treat
Servings 9 squares
Calories 110 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cooked beetroots (about 200g) TIP- peel, chop, and microwave for 5 minutes to cook.
  • 3/4 cup milk of choice
  • 1 cup oat bran or oats oat bran is great if you really want a fiber kick
  • 3 heaped tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup All-purpose flour see notes on making recipe gluten free
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 med egg sub with 1 flax egg for vegan
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp oil (e.g. olive or canola)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sweetener of choice / xylitol / sugar Add an extra 2 Tbsp if you have a very sweet tooth
  • 1 tsp vanilla essence
  • 2 tbsp chocolate chips optional, but delicious

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 180 C fan (200 C without the fan)
  • Place all of the ingredients except for the choc chips (if using) into a powerful blender and blend until completely smooth. You need to get the mixture as smooth as possible for optimal results. Your batter should be thick and sticky.
  • Stir in the choc chips. You could also add chopped nuts or dried cranberries for a bit of variation.
  • Pour the batter into a prepared square oven dish, about 20 X 20 cm.
  • Place the pan in the center of the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until set. You want to er on the side of under-cooking these, they will firm up more as they cool down. NB!! A knife stuck into the center will not come out clean.
  • Let the cake cool completely before cutting it into 9 squares. These are even more delicious when stored in the fridge overnight. Serve as is or decorate with thick plain yoghurt and fresh fruit.

Notes

Recommended portion size: 1 square. 
Nutrition information per square: 110 kcal; 4 g fat; 18.7 g carbohydrates; 3 g fiber; 4.8 g protein. 
To make recipe gluten free, simply use gluten free oats, increase the oats to 1.5 cups, and omit the all purpose flour. OR substitute the flour for buckwheat flour (this will give your brownies a super delicious nutty taste!).
Keyword beetroot, brownies, cocoa powder, oats