Healthy Snacks for Kids

Beetroot Chocolate Cake (aka Chocolate Surprise Cake)

Following the recent announcement that Nitrate-rich Beetroot can officially reduce blood pressure and promote a healthy heart, Elouise Robinson, a specialist dietician for Sunderland School Meals Service, has created a Beetroot Chocolate Cake in order to ensure that children can surreptitiously enjoy this nutritious vegetable.

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The recipe allows the children to enjoy a decadent chocolate cake, while covertly reaping the health benefits of Beetroot, Carrot and Fresh Orange Juice. The ‘Chocolate Surprise Cake' has already gone down a storm with school children in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, where it was originally launched.

Promoting healthy eating was Elouise Robinson's main agenda when she created this unusual cake.

Serves 4

You will need:

• 250g cooked fresh beetroots
• 100g carrot 
• 200mls Fresh orange juice
• 3 eggs
• 150g sugar
• 90 ml rapeseed oil
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 200g wholemeal plain flour
• 75g cocoa

Method:

Preheat oven to 180oC, gas mark 5 and grease and line a 23cm cake tin.

Puree the beetroot and carrot, using a food processor or blender (make sure the no beetroot can leak out) or finely chop and mash the beetroot.

Add the eggs one by one and blend or mix thoroughly.

Add the sugar, oil and orange juice blend or mix thoroughly.                                              

Sift the wholemeal flour (but ensure bran is still added to mixture), baking powder, baking soda and cocoa powder directly into the bowl.

Run the processor for about a minute or mix vigorously, then wipe down the sides with a spatula and run again for another minute. You should have a thick, glossy, deep brown batter.

Pour the batter into your prepared tin and bake for around 40-50 minutes. Test with a skewer or a toothpick to see if it comes out clean.

Allow to cool a little then remove from tin and place on a wire rack to cool completely.

Chef's Note:

Elouise Robinson commented: "I'm always looking for new and exciting ways for schoolchildren to enjoy healthy foods such as Beetroot in a format that will appeal.  Since recently introducing our beetroot cake, it's become a firm favourite in Sunderland schools."

"It's a fun way of ensuring children still get their ‘five a day' as part of a balanced diet."

Sunderland School Meals Service is offered in 90% of the city's nursery, primary and secondary schools.  For further information call 0800 1696722 or visit www.sunderland.gov.uk/schoolmeals

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