Ingredients

1. 2 large beets, peeled and quartered
2. 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk (sub other non-dairy milk)
3. 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
4. 2/3 cup avocado oil (sub vegetable oil)
5. 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
6. 1 cup organic sugar
7. 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
8. 1/2 cup boiling water
9. 1 tsp espresso powder
10. 2 cups all-purpose flour
11. 1 cup cocoa powder
12. 1 tsp baking soda
13. 1/2 tsp baking powder
14. 1/4 tsp salt
15. 1 cup vegan butter, room temperature
16. 4 cups powdered sugar
17. 1–2 tbsp reserved beet liquid
18. 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F and place the quartered beets into a small baking dish, along with about 1/4 cup water. Cover the dish, and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until the beets are fork-tender. Allow the beets to cool for 5 minutes, then place them in a high-powdered blender, along with a tablespoon or two of liquid and puree until smooth. Measure out 3/4 cup puree to cool. Reserve the remaining liquid from the cooked beets.
2. Turn the heat down to 350 F and spray two 9″ round cake pans with non-stick spray and dust the pans with cocoa powder. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the almond milk and apple cider vinegar, and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes. Add in the avocado oil and applesauce, and whisk to combine. Add the 3/4 cup beet puree, sugar and vanilla extract. To the boiling water, add the espresso powder, and stir until completely dissolved (set aside).
3. In another large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add half the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stir a few times with a large wooden spoon, then add the espresso. Stir a few more times, then add the remaining dry ingredients. Stir with the spoon until just incorporated. Spread the batter evenly between the two cake pans (use a kitchen scale, if desired).
4. Bake the cakes for 30-35 minutes, checking at 30 minutes with a toothpick to ensure the cake is fully cooked. If the toothpick has batter remaining, bake for the additional 5 minutes. Remove the cakes from the oven, and allow them to cool for 5 minutes, before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely
5. Prepare the vegan buttercream. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a handheld electric mixer, whip the softened vegan butter until light and fluffy. Add half of the powdered sugar, followed by 1 tablespoon of reserved beet cooking liquid and mix together. Add the remaining powdered sugar, along with the vanilla extract and mix on high. If the buttercream seems too stiff, add additional beet liquid; if it is too soft, add an additional cup of powdered sugar. Frost the cake