Try the Zesty Beet-Orange Cake, a healthy and delicious twist on classic cakes. This cake features the earthy sweetness of beetroot paired with tangy orange, creating a moist and flavorful treat. Enhanced with warm spices and crunchy walnuts, it's topped with a creamy orange frosting for a refreshing finish. Ideal for any occasion, this cake combines great taste with the nutritional benefits of beetroot, adding a colorful and healthful touch to your dessert table. Originating from early 20th-century innovations, beetroot cakes have evolved from traditional recipes, and our version with orange offers a modern, citrusy update. our version with orange offers a modern, citrusy update.
Ingredients:
- For the Cake:
- 1 cup raw beetroot, peeled and grated
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- For the Orange Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Method:
1. Preheat Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a 9-inch cake tin.
2. Prepare Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated beetroot, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Mix well.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In another bowl, beat together the brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Combine and Bake:
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Fold in the chopped walnuts, if using. Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Cool and Frost:
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the tin. To make the frosting, beat the butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract, beating until well combined. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake and serve.
Notes:
- If fresh beetroot is unavailable, you can use canned or cooked beetroot, ensuring it's drained and pureed before adding to the batter.
- Feel free to substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds, if preferred.
- Adjust the frosting sweetness by varying the amount of powdered sugar or orange juice to taste.
Nutrition Value:
1. Raw Beetroot (1 cup, peeled and grated)
- Calories: 58
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 64 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Rich in vitamin C and folate
- Minerals: High in potassium and manganese
- Nutritional Benefit: Beetroot is high in fiber, antioxidants, and essential vitamins, supporting heart health and improving digestive function.
2. All-Purpose Flour (2 cups)
- Calories: 910
- Carbohydrates: 190 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Fat: 2 g
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Contains some B vitamins
- Minerals: Provides iron and calcium
- Nutritional Benefit: All-purpose flour is a primary source of carbohydrates and provides energy, though it is less nutrient-dense compared to whole grain alternatives.
3. Baking Powder (2 tsp)
- Calories: 5
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 1,220 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: None
- Minerals: Contains sodium and a small amount of calcium
- Nutritional Benefit: Baking powder is used as a leavening agent to make the cake rise but contributes minimal nutritional value.
4. Ground Cinnamon (1 tsp)
- Calories: 6
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Contains vitamin K
- Minerals: High in manganese and iron
- Nutritional Benefit: Cinnamon has antioxidant properties and may help with blood sugar regulation.
5. Ground Ginger (1/2 tsp)
- Calories: 2
- Carbohydrates: 0.5 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Contains small amounts of vitamin C
- Minerals: Provides potassium and magnesium
- Nutritional Benefit: Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and can aid digestion.
6. Ground Nutmeg (1/2 tsp)
- Calories: 3
- Carbohydrates: 0.5 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Contains small amounts of vitamins A and C
- Minerals: Rich in manganese and copper
- Nutritional Benefit: Nutmeg has antioxidant properties and can aid in digestion and pain relief.
7. Salt (1/4 tsp)
- Calories: 0
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 575 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: None
- Minerals: Provides sodium
- Nutritional Benefit: Salt enhances flavor but should be consumed in moderation to maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
8. Brown Sugar (1 cup)
- Calories: 829
- Carbohydrates: 217 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Minimal amounts of B vitamins
- Minerals: Contains calcium and potassium
- Nutritional Benefit: Brown sugar provides quick energy but should be consumed in moderation due to its high sugar content.
9. Vegetable Oil (1/2 cup)
- Calories: 960
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 108 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Contains vitamin E
- Minerals: Minimal amounts
- Nutritional Benefit: Vegetable oil provides healthy fats, though it should be used in moderation due to its high calorie content.
10. Eggs (3 large)
- Calories: 210
- Carbohydrates: 1.5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Fat: 15 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Cholesterol: 555 mg
- Vitamins: Rich in vitamins A, D, and B12
- Minerals: Provides iron, calcium, and potassium
- Nutritional Benefit: Eggs are a good source of high-quality protein and essential nutrients but should be eaten in moderation due to cholesterol content.
11. Vanilla Extract (1 tsp)
- Calories: 12
- Carbohydrates: 0.5 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Contains small amounts of B vitamins
- Minerals: Minimal amounts
- Nutritional Benefit: Vanilla extract adds flavor with minimal nutritional impact.
12. Walnuts (1/2 cup, optional)
- Calories: 392
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Fat: 40 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Rich in vitamin E
- Minerals: High in magnesium, phosphorus, and copper
- Nutritional Benefit: Walnuts provide healthy fats, protein, and essential minerals, supporting heart health and brain function.
For the Orange Frosting
13. Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup)
- Calories: 810
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Fat: 92 g
- Sodium: 8 mg
- Cholesterol: 205 mg
- Vitamins: Contains vitamin A
- Minerals: Minimal amounts
- Nutritional Benefit: Butter provides fat for texture but should be used in moderation due to its high calorie and cholesterol content.
14. Powdered Sugar (3 cups)
- Calories: 1,440
- Carbohydrates: 384 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 6 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Minimal amounts
- Minerals: Minimal amounts
- Nutritional Benefit: Powdered sugar provides sweetness but offers no significant nutrients and should be consumed sparingly.
15. Fresh Orange Juice (2 tbsp)
- Calories: 14
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: High in vitamin C
- Minerals: Contains potassium
- Nutritional Benefit: Orange juice adds vitamin C and a fresh flavor, contributing to the immune system and overall health.
16. Orange Zest (1 tbsp)
- Calories: 6
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Contains vitamin C
- Minerals: Provides potassium and calcium
- Nutritional Benefit: Orange zest adds flavor and nutrients, including vitamin C and antioxidants.
17. Vanilla Extract (1/2 tsp)
- Calories: 6
- Carbohydrates: 0.25 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 0.5 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Contains minimal amounts of B vitamins
- Minerals: Minimal amounts
- Nutritional Benefit: Adds flavor with minimal nutritional impact.
Comments