Beetroot Crème Egg Brownies
In October I spoke about brownie baking being at the top of my list of things to do when I should actually be doing something else. I’ve been doing quite well, then, considering those salted caramel fudge brownies were the last I blogged about.
With not a single word written and three other projects to hand in, if I don’t over indulge in the teeny stresses of student life on my blog, I fear there *might* be internal chaos.
Tell a lie, I distinctly remember blagging on about my dissertation “idea” to two very patient ladies at the London Coffee Festival last weekend. They gave me such a good piece of advice that I’m going to share it with you even if pointless university degrees are not your thing: narrow your focus!! I suppose that could be interpreted into some sort of life lesson, too?
Tell a lie, I distinctly remember blagging on about my dissertation “idea” to two very patient ladies at the London Coffee Festival last weekend. They gave me such a good piece of advice that I’m going to share it with you even if pointless university degrees are not your thing: narrow your focus!! I suppose that could be interpreted into some sort of life lesson, too?
Taking that on board, here’s me trying to un-narrow my baking repertoire by adding a vegetable to brownies. And here’s me again trying to un-narrow my waistline by adding a vegetable to brownies. And heres me again topping each brownie portion with half a crème egg….
It’s Easter soon and therefore completely relevant and not weird, okay?
It’s Easter soon and therefore completely relevant and not weird, okay?
Let me just round this off by saying that beetroot and crème eggs go REALLY well together. Admittedly, grated beetroot folded into a brownie and then topped with an overly sweet (and therefore only acceptable at Easter time slash all year) confection is a far cry from perfect – think savoury chunks that, better welcomed in a summer salad.
But if you puree the beety goodness it isn’t so nuanced. Its there, but the only thing hitting you in the face with flavour will be the caramelized fondant from the crème egg.
But if you puree the beety goodness it isn’t so nuanced. Its there, but the only thing hitting you in the face with flavour will be the caramelized fondant from the crème egg.
Beetroot Crème Egg Brownies
Adapted from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Chocolate & Beetroot Brownies
150g unsalted butter 100g coconut oil 250g dark chocolate 200g golden caster sugar 3 eggs 200g self raising flour 250g boiled and pureed beetroot (I used a hand blender) 9 crème eggs
Note: You can make this recipe with all butter and it taste delicious. The beetroot overpowers (in a good way!) any rich butteryness you might expect from an all butter brownie so I chose to add coconut oil for a bit of a healthy balance. Because the fats are melted together in the recipe, using all coconut oil and no butter would work perfectly too.
Line a rectangular brownie pan with parchment and preheat the oven to 180 C. Carefully slice crème eggs in half lengthways, using the indent on the chocolate as a guide. Place the butter, oil and chocolate into a medium Pyrex and microwave for 2 minute, stopping and stirring every 3 seconds. Set aside once everything has melted together smoothly. In a larger bowl whisk the eggs and sugar until combined and slowly pour in the chocolate mixture, keep whisking until incorporated. Sift over the flour and stir in until just combined. Fold in the pureed beetroot until red streaks no longer visible. Pour the batter into the pan and dot with the half eggs. Bake for 25 minutes until slightly risen and firm to touch. Cool completely in the pan, slice up and serve.
Adapted from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Chocolate & Beetroot Brownies
150g unsalted butter 100g coconut oil 250g dark chocolate 200g golden caster sugar 3 eggs 200g self raising flour 250g boiled and pureed beetroot (I used a hand blender) 9 crème eggs
Note: You can make this recipe with all butter and it taste delicious. The beetroot overpowers (in a good way!) any rich butteryness you might expect from an all butter brownie so I chose to add coconut oil for a bit of a healthy balance. Because the fats are melted together in the recipe, using all coconut oil and no butter would work perfectly too.
Line a rectangular brownie pan with parchment and preheat the oven to 180 C. Carefully slice crème eggs in half lengthways, using the indent on the chocolate as a guide. Place the butter, oil and chocolate into a medium Pyrex and microwave for 2 minute, stopping and stirring every 3 seconds. Set aside once everything has melted together smoothly. In a larger bowl whisk the eggs and sugar until combined and slowly pour in the chocolate mixture, keep whisking until incorporated. Sift over the flour and stir in until just combined. Fold in the pureed beetroot until red streaks no longer visible. Pour the batter into the pan and dot with the half eggs. Bake for 25 minutes until slightly risen and firm to touch. Cool completely in the pan, slice up and serve.
PS, tips on how not to procrastinate are more than welcome!! Love Em xx
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