These delicious chocolate beetroot brownies were a huge hit with the Sneaky Veg kids. They're naturally sweetened, made with wholemeal flour and contain a healthy portion of veggies. Suitable for vegans.
Making more healthy snacks for kids
Next week I'll be working with a local charity, Incredible Edible LEAP, to offer a healthy snacks workshop to some local parents and carers of kids under four.
We've done four of these sessions already and gradually we've been adopting a theme for each session. The theme for this month's session is using seasonal vegetables.
I'm trying to focus on savoury dishes as much as possible. We'll be making baked cauliflower falafel and pesto and cheese twists.
But sweet things are always popular so for dessert we'll be having these chocolate beetroot brownies. I've made sweet potato brownies lots of times, but I really wanted this recipe to use a vegetable that grows commonly in the UK and is easy to get at this time of year.
So a new recipe had to be written. And boy am I glad that it did because these are delicious!
Are these chocolate beetroot brownies good for kids?
My two older kids - including the picky eater - loved these. Just to be awkward the little one, who loves beetroot, wasn't keen on these. No, I can't explain it either. Sometimes I think my kids conspire against me to make it impossible to find something they all like.
I made a version of these with walnuts to have at home and then made another version with pumpkin seeds so they could go into school in lunchboxes. Both versions were great.
You can leave the chunks of nuts or seeds quite big for some extra texture.
Alternatively you can grind them right down to a powder. This is a good idea if you're worried about choking or if your kids don't like "bits" in their brownies.
How to decorate chocolate beetroot brownies
These brownies are delicious when served without icing. However, if you do want to decorate them you can make a simple glacé icing, coloured with a little of the juice from a beetroot packet.
However, I wanted to keep these as sugar free as possible so I mixed a couple of tablespoons of tahini with a few drops of the juice from the beetroot. Then I simply drizzled it over the brownies.
More chocolate beetroot recipes
We're big fans of the chocolate beetroot combination here at Sneaky Veg. Here are some of our other favourites:
- Chocolate beetroot cake
- Easy chocolate beetroot black bean cookies
- Chocolate beetroot pancakes
- Mini chocolate beetroot cupcakes
- Chocolate and beetroot macarons
- Beetroot and chocolate granola
Or you might like chocolate hummus, black bean brownies or my pumpkin brownies.
Check out my healthy lunch box ideas
Pin chocolate beetroot brownies for later
Looking for savoury beetroot ideas? You might like my sweet potato and beetroot curry.
How to make chocolate beetroot brownies
Chocolate beetroot brownies
Ingredients
- 50 g walnuts or pumpkin seeds, chopped
- 500 g cooked beetroot not in vinegar
- 100 g medjool dates* chopped, or raisins
- 130 g plain wholemeal flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp maple syrup optional
To decorate, optional
- 2 tbsp tahini
- few drops beetroot juice from the packet
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan)/200°C/gas mark 6.
- Line a 20cm square tin with baking paper.
- Roughly chop the nuts or seeds. Use a food processor if you have one.
- Add the dates or raisins and the beetroot to the processor.
- Whizz to a paste.
- Scrape out into a bowl and add the flour, the baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cocoa powder and maple syrup. Mix well.
- Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes or until firm to the touch and a skewer comes out clean.
- Allow to cool in the tin for 5-10 minutes before carefully removing and cooling on a wire rack.
To decorate, optional
- Beat the tahini with a fork, gradually adding the drops of beetroot juice until it is pink in colour. Take care not to make it too watery.
- Drizzle over the brownies and leave to set for a few moments.
Notes
Nutrition
Maureen
Lovely warm with creme fraiche
Mandy Mazliah
So glad you enjoyed them Maureen - I love them warm as well
Lesley
What is the calorific value please? Thanks
Mandy Mazliah
Hi Lesley, I have updated the nutritional info now. If you cut into 12 brownies it's roughly 136 calories per brownie. Hope you enjoy them!
Roseanna Stratford
These tasted great and my kids who will never usually eat beetroot ate the lot. Thanks so much. I will be making these again.
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks so much Roseanna - so happy to hear that you loved them!
Nimisha
My sometimes fussy five year old absolutely loved these warmed up with a scoop of ice cream. Thank you for these lovely recipes.
Mandy Mazliah
So happy to hear that Nimisha!
Bethan
The beetroot was a bit overpowering & i used less than what was recommended! Nevertheless, warming up the brownie with a scoop of vanilla icecream, tastes brilliant ?
Mandy Mazliah
Hi Bethan - we love the taste of beetroot in this recipe. Just out of interest did you cook your own beetroot or did you use the pre-cooked ones from the supermarket?
Baguio Restaurants by Mae
These beetroot brownies look delicious. I also love that pink drizzle all over that brownies. A perfect snack for kids that is very nutritious. Thank you for sharing.
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks!
Cat | Curly's Cooking
These look great! Love the pink drizzle and that they area lovely healthier brownie.
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks Cat!