Beetroot, Chocolate Almond Cake

This recipe came about when I found a bunch of unloved beetroot in the bottom of my fridge that I forgot I had. I needed to use them!!! I would usually just throw them in a yummy juice but I was planning on baking a chocolate cake and thought why not add some beetroot. I have heard of beetroot and chocolate working well in brownies and cakes so I jumped on the net and found this recipe http://thenutritionguruandthechef. After playing around a little with the measurements to suit and converting it to Thermomix, whhaaalaaa...this was the result. DELICIOUS!!!
WARNING warning, this cake is very RICH, mudcake-like and death by CHOCOLATE good. YUMMMM!

I have included Thermomix and bowl method for your convenience.

YOU NEED: 

90g dark chocolate, melted

3 eggs
280g Rapadura or brown sugar
180g (220ml) olive oil
250g raw beetroot
1 tsp vanilla extract
25g cacao or cocoa powder
200g Almond Meal
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder ( Gluten free baking powder if GF)
good pinch of salt

TO DO:

1. Preheat oven to 170. Grease a round cake pan with a little oil and line with baking paper. 

2. Firstly cook beetroots, place in a saucepan of cold water and bring to the boil. Cook until cooked through and you can push a knife easily through. When cooked, remove skin by rubbing under cold water. 

3. Place cooked beetroots in Thermomix or food processor and Blend on high (speed 9) till pureed. Set aside.

4. In Thermomix attach butterfly, place eggs, sugar, vanilla and oil and whisk together well on speed 4 for 10secs (or in a bowl whisk together well) - important step as whisking the eggs helps the cake rise

5. Remove butterfly attachment and slowly add the pureed beetroot and melted chocolate on speed 3 for 30 secs don't over mix (or beat in until just combined ).

6. Add cacao, almond meal, baking soda and salt and fold through using spatula - I prefer to fold through with the spatula rather then use a speed on the Thermomix at this stage as I think its the best way to take care with the batter and make sure air is folded through the batter gently. Fold until just combined, do not over mix. 

7. Bake for 1 hour and 15 mins or until cooked through when skewer inserted in middle of cake comes out clean. Cooking time may vary depending on pan size and oven. 

8. Remove from oven and leave to cool in pan!

Can top with cream and chocolate shavings if wish :) or perfect as is!! 

Enjoy x