The other night, I made the most delicious duck with roasted beetroot and sweet potatoes. We love duck, but usually are boring and only make it a l’orange. But in my search for something different, I stumbled upon a recipe to make it with lavender and I was hooked! I bought some edible flowers last year and every chance I get to use them, I jump on the opportunity. I love the aromas and the gourmet touch they provide.
However, I didn’t take good pictures of the duck dish. So that means, we’ll have to be making it again (darn ;-P) for lunch this time, and then I’ll be able to share with all of you the exquisite, aromatic recipe!
Anyway, I had a bunch of left over pre-cooked beets and really didn’t want to use them in salads and such. Google came to the rescue and I found an interesting flourless cake from Elana’s Pantry. I made it immediately and although I loved it’s flavour and texture, I did find it somewhat too moist to serve as a cake.
Here’s what I consider my improvement upon the original. I’ve made changes for a number of reasons, aside from the moisture issue: I used olive oil, instead of grapseed oil, which I’ve read about and it is not considered a healthy fat; I used raw honey, instead of the agave nectar, which is also not considered that healthy, and here’s why; and finally, I added spices, coconut flour for the moisture, and baking soda to make it more of a cake.
I hope you give it a try and let me know what you think. We loved it!
For original recipe from Elana’s Pantry, please click here.
PALEO BEETROOT CAKE
Ingredients
- 3 cups of grated, cooked beetroots
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup raw honey
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup raw 100% cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup coconut flour (for a slightly fluffier and dryer cake, use 1/2 cup coconut flour)*
Process
- Preheat oven to 170C (350F).
- In a food processor or blender, beat the beetroots, eggs and olive oil.
- Add the honey, vanilla extract, baking soda, sea salt and spices. Blend well.
- Add the cocoa powder and coconut flour and mix until well incorporated.
- Pour into a greased cake pan of choice. I used a 9-inch diameter tart pan.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely before cutting and serving. Garnish as desired.
*I’ve made this cake both ways, with more and less coconut flour. I really can’t say which I prefer, as I love both. I would suggest making it both ways and deciding for yourself too!
used this on my blog this morning, looks wonderful
Thank you!
Hi! What a neat idea! Does the cake taste like beets???
Hi Carol, a tiny bit, yes, but it’s not an overpowering flavour since the chocolate camouflages it. It’s one of my favourites; hope you try it and like it too!
Hi! I’m new to your blog.. got a ton of beets from my CSA and was so tired of eating them in salads so I googled ‘paleo beet dessert’ and sure enough I found this site.. I was SO excited to make this dessert. OK, so I did everything just like you said (did the .33c of coconut flour for fluffier consistency, .25c coconut oil + .25c evoo)… HOLY COW these are AMAZING. I did them in a 9 muffin tin and they are perfect portion sizes! They feel totally evil and like a cheat, but I know they aren’t… which is a wonderful treat in itself. Not that I’m going to eat 3 in one sitting, but they are fantastic. I’m adding this to my rotation of dessert treats for use on veggies. OUTSTANDING recipe – thank you adapting -I think you made it perfect!
Hi! I’m glad you liked it! I love it too; and it’s my go-to recipe for parties and sharing. I just made a bread version, which I need to tweak to share.. but I think you’ll like it too! stay tuned… thank you and welcome onboard!
thank you so much for sharing this recipe ~cannot wait to try. Even though we as Paleo can use honey….I try to stick to sweeteners derived from fruits (and veggies in this case). I feel that it lessens my desire to crave the honey and maple syrup less! This cake seems to have a lovely low amount of honey. I will let you know after I try!
Glad to hear that Darla! I’m sure you’ll love it..it’s really delicious!
Do you have a weight measurement for the beets pre or post cooking? If not, is that packed or loosely measured?
Hi Veronica, I use two packages of pre-cooked beetroots. They are each 300g, but that’s with a bit of juice that comes with it. When I measure, I pack the vegetable in, without pressing too hard (but definitely not loosely). Hope that helps.
This recipe looks great! I feel though that honey is sugar and not good for you either. Wonder how it would be with stevia and how much would need to be used?
Hi Cheryl, I’ve never cooked or baked with Stevia. So, unfortunately, I have no idea how to use it. I realise honey is also a sugar and that’s why I try to use very little of it in baking. (I created a bread without sweeteners at all that may interest you: http://thesaffrongirl.com/banana-zucchini-breadcakemuffins-nut-free-grain-free-egg-free-sweetener-free/). However, having said that about honey, it does contain many nutrients in its raw form, which are healthy for us… of course, I also believe all sugars should be eaten in very low quantities for a balanced nutrition.
Cheryl – have you tried Coconut Sugar?
http://lovingearth.net/products/23/organic-coconut-sugar
I haven’t investigated if it’s legal on GAPS or SCD, but it’s definitely a healthier and more earth-friendly alternative to sugar (probably on a par with honey though).
Cheryl, there is a stevia conversion in one of the comments on Elana’s original recipe page that you may find helpful.
RED VELVET CAKE!!??!!
I’ve never made that… but is it similar?
Do you cook the beets first and then grate then or the other way around? (I don’t have much experience with beets)
Hi Ericka, yes, the beets must be cooked for this recipe. If you find them raw, do not peel them and cook in water until they are tender. Then once they are cool, you can peel and grate them. Some places sell them precooked, with no additives, and I usually have these on hands for things like this cake. Beets are also great roasted in the oven, for which I also pre-peel and cut into chunks. With a bit of olive oil over top and baked at 180C/350F for about 40 minutes, they are great! Or add them to a stew…they are very versatile and add a delicious flavour. Let me know how you fare! And thanks for stopping by…
Hi Debra! I am a huge beetroot fan, yet I’ve never had a chance to try beetroot in dessert before. My curiosity level is really high now.
And yes, we love duck as well, so hope you will share the recipe one day! 
Hi Nami! thanks for stopping by! It’s a delicious cake and you cannot tell there’s beetroot in there at all… I’m even eating it as part of my breakfast everyday, that’s how much I like it. I promise to share the duck recipe, just need to make it again to take pictures!
Let me know if you make the cake and what you think…