Chocolate Beet Cake

Back in May, I happened upon a gorgeous video created by Matt and Julie from Tiger in a Jar. It showcases the making and baking of a chocolate beet cake, but it's so much more than that. Matt and Julie took the simple process of baking a cake and turned it into art. The colors, the lighting, the food—everything about it was beautiful. Since it first caught my eye, I've watched it many times since.

Today, I wanted to share it with you.

Though I've never had an affinity for beets, this video made me want to give beets another chance. So this week, when walking through the grocery store, I spotted a bundle and the color was so bright and pink I couldn't resist picking them up. There was never any question what I was going to do with them—chocolate beet cake was destined to be their fate.

Those lucky, little beets...

While many of you may cringe at the idea of putting beets into a chocolate cake, hear me out. Often fruit or vegetable purees are added to cakes and breads to add nutrients to baked goods and make them healthier than their non-puree counterparts (think banana or zucchini bread). Plus, the puree flavor is usually masked by other ingredients. In the case of this chocolate beet cake, the chocolate hides the beet flavor quite well. As a result, these purees lend a very moist, healthier product (to date, I'll argue that this chocolate prune cake is one of the most deliciously moist cakes I've ever eaten).

Have I convinced you that beets and chocolate cake aren't so scary together? I hope so.

My favorite part of this cake is serving it to others. I love to watch the expressions as they take their first bite, not knowing the secret ingredient. Most people will not notice the beets whatsoever and are shocked when you divulge the secret (but it never stops them from scraping their plates clean!). Others may notice a little extra flavor, but will not be able to put their finger on quite what it is.

I ask you, what better way is there to eat a serving of vegetables than in a cake?

This Chocolate Beet Cake is so moist, it would have you believe that it literally melts in your mouth on contact. It's big on flavor and rich in texture, while the beets add something a little extra to the taste. The cake can stand alone and doesn't need frosting to make it taste better (though I wouldn't fault you if a bit of chocolate frosting found its way on top anyway). A simple dusting of powdered sugar is enough for this cake.

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Banana Cake with Chocolate Glaze

Banana cake is as unpretentious as bread and butter or toast spread with strawberry jam. Banana cake doesn't set out to dazzle your eyes (though it may very well dazzle your taste buds). It's not trying to re-create the (cake) wheel, by any means. Banana cake is as old and wise as the simple chocolate cake. I doubt you'd ever find this cake listed on the dessert menu in a fancy restaurant.

However, that doesn't mean this banana cake isn't something to talk about.

Banana cake has been a summer tradition in my family for as long as I can remember. Though bananas are available year round and this cake can (and should!) be made in every season, I only remember my mother making this cake during the height of summer. My sister and I looked forward to eating this cake with more excitement and anticipation than our birthday cakes. This banana cake could turn an ordinary Tuesday into something extraordinary.

While the cake bakes up in the oven, wonderful, sinful smells waft about the house. Like moths to a flame, we'd gather to the kitchen. When the glaze was fresh from the stove, we'd always swipe a finger or two through the still warm chocolate. My dad, to this day, requests to lick the spatula and bowl clean. I like to joke that we don't need a dishwasher anymore, though my dad does not find this terribly amusing.

Nevertheless, my family is still in debate about the best way to eat this cake. My dad and I love to eat this cake chilled. It brings a dense, moist heaviness to the cake and the chocolate glaze becomes stiff making it literally melt in your mouth. My sister, on the other hand, prefers the cake warm, which yields a lighter feel to the cake and turns the chocolate glaze divinely smooth. Though our debate may never be settled, the truth is that this cake is delicious any way you choose to serve it.

Do yourself a favor and create a little weekday magic by making yourself this simple, but charming cake.

This Banana Cake with Chocolate Glaze is a classic cake with a lot of character. The cake layers are rich and moist with banana, while a touch of cinnamon brings out a greater depth of flavor. The chocolate glaze is very simple to make, melting together only chocolate and butter, but I could eat it by the spoonful (and I usually do). The glaze spreads smooth when slightly warm and holds its shape like a dream. This cake is quick to throw together and will disappear before you are ready to see it go.

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Blueberry Coffee Cake

I remember the first time I tried coffee very clearly.

A friend and I had agreed to ditch our college classes for a day and drive four hours away with one of our professors to a conference to hear a Nobel laureate give a speech. Because we were skipping out on a day of work, we pulled an all-nighter to try to finish the homework we'd miss the next day. When you happen to be a physics major, there unfortunately aren't many breaks from the books. At 7 am, we hit the road, incredibly exhausted.

I remember very little of the conference. We arrived, food was involved, and an incredible amount of scientific information went completely over my head. In my zombie-like state, my only focus was on a nice warm bed.

Late afternoon, it was the big event. The moment we'd all been waiting for. The Nobel laureate in physics was going to give a speech. As a future scientist, I was very lucky to even be sitting in the audience. This man was going to give us his secrets. Even so, I was falling asleep standing up. This is when my friend and I decided to take drastic measures—we'd drink the free coffee in hopes of staying awake.

This was a big deal. Even though we had reached our 20s, coffee had somehow eluded both of us until this moment. We decided to share (as one will do when they are fearful of what is in the cup). Nearly 1/4 cup of sugar was poured in. Cream colored the coffee nearly white. We were afraid of the acidic, bitter drink so we tried to mask it as best we could. And then, we drank.

I had never tasted something so awful in my life.

After one sip, it was clear we both had enough. Yet, the speech was going to begin and this was the whole reason we got ourselves into this mess in the first place. We figured, after this much work, we might as well be awake to hear what this man had to say so we took the coffee with us.

Each time one of us would nod off, we'd have to drink. These were the rules. It was a terrible game we played. Though our efforts were valiant, every single word of this man's speech was completely lost on me. I had no idea what he even talked about. I couldn't tell you the vaguest details about what his Nobel was even for. But I did learn this: it is possible to actually fall asleep sitting up perfectly straight on a set of bleachers.

Also, coffee tasted like gasoline. Possibly worse.

Nevertheless, I did eventually come around to coffee (and it really does taste better if you don't put in so much sugar). It's a good thing too because otherwise I would miss out on the wonderful world of coffee cake. By definition, coffee cakes are destined to be served with coffee (or tea) and this coffee cake is no exception.

This blueberry coffee cake is lightly sweetened and stuffed full of blueberries. The cake is partially made with whole wheat flour to give it a healthy spin. The cake is tender and light, but the crumble really helps this cake truly shine. Almonds, brown sugar, and cinnamon come together to give this cake some much deserved crunch. If you're looking for a coffee cake to enjoy for breakfast or dessert, this may be exactly what you have been searching for.

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