Rich and Moist Double Chocolate Muffins (with hidden beets, shhh!)

Do you love indulging in chocolate treats, but worry about the health consequences? What if I told you that there is a recipe for delicious double chocolate muffins that not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but also provide a dose of wholesome goodness?

Sounds too good to be true?

Well, these Double Chocolate Muffins have an added boost of nutrition, moisture and color thanks to a secret ingredient.

Delicious and nutritious these muffins are a winner.

When I came to refresh this post I realized I had originally made these muffins for a friend and her family after she underwent a double mastectomy (#cancersucks). I wanted them to have a quick and easy breakfast or chocolatey snack. When people set up meal trains they usually do dinners, but no one thinks about breakfast.

I added the beets for extra nutrition, some extra color and as a replacement for some of the oil.

NO! You do not taste the beets in here. They were taste tested by 4 kids (two of whom are very picky eaters) as well as 4 adults. Mary and I knew they were special, but none of us tasted anything "different" about them.

Hidden Vegetables

As I said above, the beets are added mostly for moisture so I could reduce the amount of oil in the recipe. It also adds some extra nutrition as well as a richer chocolate color.

If you object to sneaking in vegetables on moral grounds ("That's LYING!") then feel free to tell everyone there is beet puree added.

My child has autism and sometimes that is the only way I can get vegetables in him without him gagging.

This is a judgement free zone. Do what works for you.

Making Beet Puree

Making beet puree to add to foods is easy and only requires an oven and a blender or food processor.

Clean and trim 1 or 2 large beets, wrap in aluminum foil and bake at 350℉ for approximately 15-20 minutes until they feel soft.

Let cool for a few minutes until they are cool enough to touch. For some that may be completely cool (no judgements). Use the foil to scrub off the peel and discard. Roughly chop the beets and puree in food processor or blender, adding a small amount of water as needed, to blend until completely smooth.

If using canned beets, you get to skip the roasting part. Drain and save the liquid, and put the beets in the blender. Puree adding in the reserved liquid as needed to make a smooth puree.

Sound fabulous? Share it!

Until next time, happy eating.
~Audrey