Chocolate cupcakes get a nutrient boost thanks to two cups of beets in the batter. Perfect for your weekend barbecue or back-to-school bake sale, these Chocolate-Beet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting from Eating Well take the (healthier!) cake.
Chocolate-Beet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
2 cups diced peeled beets (1/2-inch; about 2 medium)
2/3 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cups white whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/4 cup canola oil or grapeseed oil
1 3/4 cups packed confectioners’ sugar, divided
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
5 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups with paper liners.
2. Bring about 1 inch of water to a boil in a large saucepan fitted with a steamer basket. Add beets, cover and steam until tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a blender. Add buttermilk and puree until smooth. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the beet puree. Pour the rest into a large bowl.
3. Whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk egg, oil, 1 cup confectioners’ sugar and vanilla into the beet puree in the large bowl. Stir in the dry ingredients until just combined. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups.
4. Bake the cupcakes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.
5. To prepare frosting: Combine the remaining 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar and cream cheese with the reserved beet puree in a medium bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Top each cooled cupcake with a generous 1 tablespoon frosting.
Makes 12 cupcakes.
Nutritional Info*: Calories 221 | Fat 8g | Protein 5g | Carbs 34g | Sugar 20g
*Nutritional information provided by Eating Well
For more cupcake recipes that have been tweaked to include more vitamins and nutrients – and still taste delicious – check out this full article from Eating Well.
Do you have a favorite way to sneak in more fruits and veggies into baked goods? Spill your secrets in the comments below!
Keep Moving,
– Team FitStar
The post A Chocolate Cupcake You Can’t Beet appeared first on FitStar - Inspiring people to live healthier lives.
