Hidden Chocolate and Beetroot Vegan Brownies
Dense and fudgy vegan brownies with shredded beetroot hidden inside, adding natural moisture and a subtle earthiness without overpowering the rich chocolate flavor. This vegan recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, unsweetened, baking powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 16, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder, unsweetened
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup shredded raw beetroot
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup non-dairy milk (almond or soy)
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
The bakeware we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware Sets in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until well combined.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup shredded raw beetroot, 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 cup non-dairy milk until smooth.
- Step 4: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Fold in 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips.
- Step 5: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Step 6: Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Step 7: Let cool completely in the pan before lifting out using the parchment overhang. Cut into 16 squares and enjoy the hidden richness of beetroot in every bite.








