Go Back
Print

Chocolate Beet and Zucchini Bundt Cake

A delicious, decadent cake that happens to have a pretty generous amount of beets and zucchini in the mix. When I served it to my kids, I didn’t tell them about the vegetables. It's not because I was trying to pull one over on them, but because I was curious to see if they'd notice. They didn't. What they did do, was ask for seconds.

Course Dessert
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 12 generous servings
Calories 445 kcal
Author Jennie Schact

Ingredients

Cake

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup gently packed light brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup plain whole-milk Greek-style yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup gently packed grated raw zucchini
  • 1 cup gently packed peeled and grated raw red beets
  • 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

Chocolate Glaze

  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, with a rack in the lower third. Generously butter a 10-cup bundt pan. Dust the pan with flour, tapping out the excess. (Alternatively, use a 9-by-2-inch square baking pan.)

  2. To make the cake, whisk together the whole-wheat pastry flour, all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon into a bowl. Set aside.

  3. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or with a handheld mixer), beat together the olive oil, butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed until light and creamy, about 4 minutes. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, beating well and stopping and scraping down the bowl after each addition. Mix in the yogurt and vanilla. On low speed, add the flour mixture and beat until nearly combined but still streaky. (The batter will be thick.) Use a wooden spoon or a spatula to stir in the zucchini, beets, and chocolate chips.

  4. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes and then test to see if it's done by inserting a long toothpick or thin wooden skewer midway between the inner and outer edges of the pan. If no wet batter appears on the skewer, it's done. If it doesn't come out clean, continue to cook another few minutes and test again. Don't overcook the cake or it will be dry.
  5. Let the cake cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Invert a flat serving plate over the pan and invert the pan and plate together to release the cake. Lift off the pan and let cool completely.

  6. To make the glaze, heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until steam begins to rise and bubbles form along the edge of the pan. Remove from the heat, add the chocolate, and let stand for 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Let the glaze stand until thick but still pourable, about 10 minutes. (Rewarm if it gets too thick).
  7. Pour the glaze in a circular motion over the top of the completely cooled cake, allowing some to drip down the center and sides. Allow the glaze to set for about 1 hour before serving.
  8. Store leftover cake, tightly covered, at room temperature for up to 1 day. Or, refrigerate for up to 5 days, then let stand at room temperatures for 15 to 30 minutes before serving.
  9. Makes 12 generous servings, 16 to 20 "kid size" servings