Cake Stands Bake Off – Beetroot & Orange Dark Chocolate Cake

Probably the most risky entry to the Crystal Clear Cake Stands Bake off, the Beetroot & Orange Dark Chocolate Cake was very love it or hate it, which evened out at a very average score. We're only pointing this out because we wouldn't want you to think that this cake was bland or extraordinary, but rather it evoked passionate reactions with those who enjoyed it enjoying it very much.

If you fancy taking the risk too in the hope that it will pay off, then here is how you make it.

Beetroot & Orange Dark Chocolate Cake Ingredients

• Unsalted butter – 100g
• Dark chocolate (70% min) – 150g
• Eggs – 3
• Egg whites – 4
• Vanilla pod Seeds – 1 pods worth
• Light brown sugar – 150g
• Wholemeal flour – 150g
• Baking powder – 1.5 tea spoons (9ml)
• Ground ginger – 2 tea spoons (12ml)
• Orange zest (finely grated) – 1 Orange
• Cooked Beetroots - 200g

Beetroot & Orange Dark Chocolate Cake Recipe

1. Preheat your oven to 170°C, grease the sides of an 18cm round, deep cake tin and line the base with baking paper.
2. Put the eggs, egg whites and vanilla seeds in to a large bowl and beat them together until the mixture is white and fluffy.
3. Slowly add your sugar to the mixture. Mix it all in as you go and ensure that the added sugar is well integrated before adding any more.
4. In a separate bowl, melt the chocolate and then add the butter. When both are melted encourage the two to mix together, but be careful not to burn them.
5. Pour the melted chocolate-butter mix around the edges of the whisked egg mix and then fold them in until the mixture turns dark brown.
6. Sieve the flour into the mixture and then sprinkle in the ground ginger, orange zest and baking powder.
7. Fold them all into the mixture, just as you did the chocolate.
8. Peel your cooked beetroot and finely grate it into the mixture (alternatively you can grate it and then chop it up a little bit more before adding it).
9. Fold in the grated beetroot and pour the mixture into your 18cm round tin.
10. Bake your cake mixture in the oven for roughly 45 minutes, or until the top surface is firm and when you stick a knife into it, it comes out still just a little bit sticky.
11. Remove the cake from the oven and leave it to cool.

Your Beetroot & Orange Dark Chocolate Cake is now ready to be eaten, but you can decorate it too if you like. Our competition entry had icing sugar sprinkled on top, but you can decorate yours however you like.

Overall Score: 6.8