My heart "Beets for Cherry Chocolate Cupcakes"

We've been picking beets out of our garden and roasting them and then using the leftover roasted beets in creative ways.  One of the recipes that I've seen many times over recently is for Cherry Cola Chocolate Cupcakes.  They look so tasty but are quite high in fat and sugar so I replaced most of the fat with pureed beets and cut back the sugar and love the results. They are not particularly cherry in flavour but certainly are not beet flavoured either.  It is a moist delicious chocolate cupcake that will have your family wondering what the secret ingredient is.

 I have not tested this recipe with canned or boiled beets but I think it should work fine providing they are well drained before pureeing.

• 1/3 cup unsweetened  cocoa
• 3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup pureed beets (that have been roasted in foil drizzed with olive oil.. until very tender)
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 can cherry cola (not diet)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 24 muffin cups with large cupcake liners.
2. Mix together the dry ingredients and put it through a sieve into a large bowl.
3. In another large bowl combine the beets, oil, eggs and sugar.  Beat well until combined.
4. Slowly pour in the cola and let the foam settle down.  Add the buttermilk and vanilla.
5. Slowly fold in the dry ingredients until the mixture is well combined.
6. Fill the paper liners 2/3 full and bake about 15 mintues.  Test with a toothpick to be sure it is clean.

Make a simple frosting by beating together 1 envelope Dream Whip and one 4 serving size chocolate instant pudding and 1 1/2 cups milk.  Once it is starting to thicken, add 1/2 cup whipping cream.  Once the cupcakes are cooled swirl on frosting and top with a cherry.  Topping them with simple whipped cream is also beautiful and delicious....but don't forget the cherry on top!