Beetroot cupcakes recipe

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These beetroot cupcakes are topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting and only take 30 minutes to bake.

beetroot cupcakes
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Makes10
SkillEasy
Preparation Time30 mins plus cooling time
Cooking Time30 mins
Total Time1 hours
Cost RangeCheap
Nutrition Per PortionRDA
Calories498 Kcal25%
Sugar44.2 g49%
Fat28.9 g41%
Saturated Fat9.9 g50%
Protein4.9 g10%
Carbohydrates53.5 g21%

Our beetroot cupcakes are similar to a red velvet sponge but they have a natural red tinge and a wonderful rich flavour.

This cupcake recipe includes ready-cooked beetroot to save you time, add a rich earthy flavour and provide a natural red colour to your cupcakes. Using oil and beetroot keeps the sponge moist and there is enough sugar and cocoa powder to ensure they still taste sweet and indulgent. Each cupcake is under 500 calories. 

Ingredients

For the cakes:

  • 120g plain flour
  • 60g cocoa powder
  • 1½tsps baking powder
  • 170g golden caster sugar
  • 170g vacuum-packed cooked beetroot
  • 2 eggs
  • 140ml light olive oil/vegetable oil
  • 1tsp vanilla bean paste or extract

For the icing:

  • 200g tub full-fat cream cheese
  • 100g softened unsalted butter
  • 250g icing sugar
  • 1tsp vanilla extract

WEIGHT CONVERTER

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Method

  1. Line a muffin tray with 10 paper or silicone cases and heat the oven to 160C (140C fan, Gas 3).
  2. Sieve the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder into a large bowl. Stir in the sugar.
  3. Put the beetroot, eggs, oil and vanilla to a food processor and blend until smooth.
  4. Pour into the flour mix and combine with an electric whisk on a low setting until just combined.
  5. Divide the mixture between the 10 cases and bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until risen and cooked through.
  6. Cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring the cupcakes onto a cooling rack.
  7. To make the icing, put the cream cheese, butter, icing sugar and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric hand mixer on a low speed to beat until just combined. If you over-beat it the icing will become runny.
  8. Spread or pipe onto the tops of the cupcakes.

Top tips for making beetroot cupcakes

When decorating the beetroot cupcakes we like to pipe the frosting in a swirl pattern. To achieve this start in the centre of the cupcake and apply pressure to the top of your piping bag while holding it vertically.

Work your way to the edge of the cupcake case and pipe around and up. Once you achieve the desired height, stop applying pressure and lift the piping bag to create a little peak. For more tips continue reading below. 

Should beetroot cupcakes be refrigerated?

The un-iced cupcakes can be kept in an airtight container or cake tin at room temperature. However, because the icing contains cream cheese, any decorated cupcakes should be stored in the fridge.

How do I make naturally pink frosting for cupcakes?

If you’d like an additional boost of colour without using artificial colours, simply grate a little extra beetroot into the icing.

Is red velvet cake naturally red?

No, most red velvet recipes will call for the addition of artificial food colouring. However these beetroot cupcakes are a great natural nod to red velvet with a slightly red colour and rich chocolate flavoured sponge.

In step three of this recipe you need to use a food processor to blend the beetroot, eggs, oil and vanilla to a smooth consistency. If you need a new food processor, consider investing in the Ninja 3-in-1 food processor which journalist Grace Holliday reviewed for Goodto.com.

Ninja 3 in 1 food processor - View at Amazon 

Ninja 3 in 1 food processor - <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ninja-Processor-Auto-iQ-BN800UK-Silver/dp/B088TT3QW2?tag=georiot-trd-21&ascsubtag=hawk-custom-tracking-21&geniuslink=true&th=1" data-link-merchant="amazon.co.uk"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View at Amazon 

This food processor has so many functions we’re certain it will become one of your go-to pieces of kitchen equipment. It comes with three different jug sizes so you can pick the one that best suits your needs. There is a dough tool, slicing and grating disc and a chopping blade too.

If you’d like a more indulgent snack try making our chocolate cupcakes recipe. Alternatively our vanilla cupcake recipe is perfect for making with kids and our mini cupcakes are a good option too. 

Victoria Threader
Recipes Writer

Victoria Threader is 'the queen of cupcakes' and a contributing Recipe Writer at GoodTo. Not only can she bake delicious cupcakes, she can decorate them too - with each of Victoria’s cupcakes topped with handmade edible toppers. Some of her most popular cupcakes include: rainbow cupcakes, hidden shape cupcakes and even giant cupcakes.

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