Can't BEET It Sweet Bread

Will you BEET my Valentine?

I know, I know, I’m corny… I can’t help it. But seriously, this sweet bread gets its red color naturally from delicious beets! I came up with this idea originally by wanting to make a healthy red velvet cake, without any artificial coloring. The recipe evolved into a sweet bread that (surprise!) I ate for breakfast! My favorite kind of recipe J

One generous slice of Sweet Beet Bread packs 9 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber for only 320 calories! Factor in the amazing health benefits of beets and you’ve got sweet bread that will feel indulgent and energizing! This is a great way to start the day if you ask me.

And because it’s Valentine’s Day… I can’t leave out that beets are a natural aphrodisiac. This is not just a rumor from past traditions. In fact, this is backed in science. Beets contain the trace mineral, boron, which increases sex hormones in both men and women. You’re welcome.

I typically use applesauce when baking instead of oil. This time I pureed canned beets and maple syrup to stand-in for applesauce. I also used whole-wheat flour, which dulled down the bright red color a bit (maybe next time I would do half millet flour and half whole-wheat to see if I could keep a more intense red hue).

Another change you might consider making is baking in a bread pan instead of a cake pan. I like eating things in cake shape so I opted for the later. For the topping, I mixed nonfat Fage Greek yogurt with honey and sprinkled with gogi berries, but you can totally eat this bread plain or with whatever toppings you desire. 

Ok, go on, beet your heart out.

Can’t BEET It Sweet Bread

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup almond meal
• 1 cup date sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup almond milk
• ½ cup beet juice (reserved from canned beets)
• 1 can beets (drained)
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 2 Tbsp vanilla

Topping Suggestion:

• Mix nonfat Greek yogurt with honey for frosting and top with gogi berries. 

Preparation Instructions

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Drain can of beets and reserve ½ cup beet juice.
3. Puree beets and maple syrup in food processor or blender.
4. Whisk eggs and mix in beet puree, almond milk, beet juice & vanilla.
5. In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients.
6. Combine the wet and dry ingredients.
7. Pour in a lightly greased 9” round cake pan (or bread pan if you prefer).
8. Bake for 45-50 minutes.
9. Let cool completely before removing from pan.

Beet & Maple Syrup Puree

Batter Before Baking

Bread After Baking

Topped & Ready to Eat

Fuel Facts

Numbers:  321 calories, 9 g protein, 9 g fat, 53 g carbs, 6 g fiber

**For 1 piece of cake, cut into 8 total pieces.

***You can certainly but the cake into 16 smaller pieces if eating for dessert and not as part of a full breakfast meal.

           

Ingredient Breakdown:

v Whole Wheat – Unlike processed white flour, whole wheat flour still contains the bran and the germ of the grain which provides fiber and nutrients that white flour is lacking. Wheat is a one of the crops most genetically modified in the United States, so whenever possible, look for products that state non-GMO.

v Almond Meal – A gluten-free substitute for flour, almond meal is higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates than other options. Almond meal is made simply by grinding the nuts into a flour-like consistency and is therefore filled with all of the same perks as almonds themselves.

Almond meal is high in monounsaturated fats, similar to those found in olive oil, providing heart-healthy benefits. Almonds are also a great source of vitamin E, one of the most important nutrients for preventing oxidative stress. Vitamin E, when applied topically, has also been found to protect the skin against UV damage from the sun. It is believed by some researchers that this same protective effect can be achieved through consumption of foods rich in vitamin E, such as almonds.

v Date Sugar – One of nature's many gifts, dates are one of the best natural sweeteners. Not only are they sweet, but they contain high amounts of fiber, promoting good digestion & intestinal health. Date sugar is made from dehydrated, ground dates and is a good alternative for granulated sugar in baked goods.

v Egg – Eggs have the highest biological value of any protein source. This means that you can achieve more of the benefits with less of the protein. Contrary to popular belief, the dietary cholesterol in eggs is not associated with increased blood cholesterol (the type of cholesterol that is linked to heart disease). This misconception is continually being disproven with current research.

In fact, the yolk is a nutritional power house, containing high amounts of choline, a B-complex vitamin, and vitamin B12. Choline has been linked with better brain function and is important in preventing fat accumulation in the liver. Adequate B12 in the diet is crucial for preventing anemia as well as neurological deterioration. B12 deficiencies have been associated with Alzheimer’s disease in the elderly and neural tube defects in newborns.

v Beets – Not only do beets have a beautiful color and flavor, they boast a large array of health benefits.  Many of these can be attributed to betaine, a nutrient that acts as a methyl donor. So what does that mean exactly? By lending methyl groups, betaine assists in many important metabolic pathways. This is of particular benefit to the liver, helping to break down hepatic (liver) fat stores and to optimize liver function.

Another thing you may not know about beets is their ability to enhance sex drive. In ancient Rome, beets were considered an aphrodisiac. Today we know this is due to their high boron content. Boron has been linked to increased production of estrogen in post-menopausal women and testosterone in men.

v Maple Syrup – Made from the sap of the maple tree, this sweetener is a great natural alternative to refined sugar. Maple syrup is also high in zinc and manganese, nutrient that boost the immune system.

v Almond Milk – A creamy, low-calorie substitute for cow’s milk, this nutty variety is easy to digest making it a good add to pre-workout meals or smoothies.

v Vanilla – Using vanilla in baked goods enhances the flavor, decreasing the need for large amounts of sugar. Some believe it may have aphrodisiac effects and help with intestinal gas, but neither of these benefits have been confirmed through research.