Beetroot Brownies

If your a fan of guilt free indulgence, these are for you! So quick to make, not only yummy but also full of goodness! One thing I will say is even if you don't like beetroot, im sure you'll like these - don't let that put you off. Beetroot is rich in valuable nutrients and rich in fibre, also high in immune-boosting vitamin C, fiber, and essential minerals like potassium (essential for healthy nerve and muscle function) and manganese (which is good for your bones, liver, kidneys, and pancreas) - and much more!

Ingredients (makes 16):

• 250g beetroot

• 3 eggs

• 40g oats

• 175g ground almonds

• 2 tsp maple syrup

• 1tsp baking powder

• 50g macadamia nuts (you can use any nuts, thats just what I had in)

• 2 tsp Cacao powder

• 150g organic dark chocolate

• Pinch of coconut sugar

Why Cacao over Cocoa..?

The heavier processing (heating at higher temperatures) that transforms cacao to cocoa doesn’t just affect how manufacturers label the end product. This heat actually affects the beans on a molecular level, changing their structure and degrading nutrient content

Heavy processing is what makes cacao turn to “cocoa.” Much of the nutritional content dissipates in this state.

That means that cacao, which is less processed, has more powerful antioxidant effects and health benefits. 100 grams of raw cacao powder has an ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) of 95,500, which represents antioxidant capacity. This drops to 62,100 for cacao nibs, and 26,000 for cocoa powder.

It’s not that cocoa is inherently bad for you; it’s just that cacao is more beneficial. Baking with either kind probably decreases some of the nutrients and antioxidants, but unfortunately research quantifying just how much is non-existent at this point.

Bottom line: heating cacao or cocoa probably degrades some of the nutrients and lessens potent antioxidant effects. But cacao is the ideal choice because it starts with more of them than cocoa.

Method: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Blend the all the ingredients together and put in the oven for 40 mins - simples. I did sprinkle a little bit of coconut sugar on the top to give it a slightly caramelised finish. A little advise; don't open the oven whilst they are cooking because it stops them rising properly.

Desert idea - served with Raspberries and a scoop of Peanut butter.

Let me know how you get on!