Beet Chocolate Cake

from Jodi

Ingredients

• 2 c pureed beets
• 1/2 c applesauce
• 1 1/2 c sugar or 1 c honey
• 1/2 c butter
• 1/2 c yogurt
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 c cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2 1/2 c flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 c chocolate chips or nuts (optional)

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients, grease and flour a 9x13 pan.
2. Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Tip: To make the beet puree, cut the beets and cook them in the oven at 200 degrees for 2 hours, and then puree in a food processor. You can also boil the beets, but the slow baking maintains more flavor and nutrition.

Credit:

Simply in Season: Recipes that Celebrate Fresh, Local Foods in the Spirit of More-with-Less By Mary Beth Lind & Cathleen Hockman-Wert