Chocolate Beetroot Brownies

If you fancy a sweet treat, then try these chocolate brownies with beetroot as their secret ingredient. Beetroot is high in essential nutrients and is a great source of fibre, folate (vitamin B9), potassium, iron, and vitamin C.

Ingredients

• 100g coconut oil, plus extra for greasing

• 275g cooked beetroot, drained and cut into small chunks

• 3 large eggs

• 60g cocoa powder

• 100g soft pitted dates

• 100g wholemeal self-raising flour

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

• 75g plain dark chocolate (around 85% cocoa solids), roughly chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C (fan 180, gas 6).

2. Grease and line the base and sides of a 20cm loose-based square cake tin with non-stick baking paper.

3. Place the beetroot, eggs, cocoa powder, dates and coconut oil in a food processor and blend until thoroughly combined.

4. Add the dry ingredients (flour, cinnamon, a pinch of sea salt and bicarbonate of soda) and blend or stir until well combined. Add an extra tablespoon of water to loosen the mixture, if needed.

5. Stir in the dark chocolate pieces, and spoon the mixture into the prepared tin, spreading it to the sides.

6. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until risen and just firm to the touch.

7. Cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out and cut into 20 squares to serve.