Delicious & Healthy Red Velvet Cookies with Beets (No Artificial Dye!)
Finding a healthy dessert that truly satisfies your sweet tooth can sometimes feel like a quest, especially when you’re looking for options that are both nutritious and delightful. This particular healthy cookie recipe was born from a desire to create a wholesome version of the classic red velvet cookie – a treat I, like many others, simply can’t live without! Who doesn’t need a little chocolate and a good cookie in their life, especially when they can be a bit healthier?
Our special Healthy Red Velvet Cookie re-imagines this beloved classic by incorporating a range of natural, wholesome ingredients. We’re talking about vibrant beets for that signature red hue (absolutely no artificial red dye here!), rich real butter, and nutritious whole wheat flour. It’s comforting to know that you can indulge in a soft, chewy cookie that also offers a dose of vegetables. There’s just something inherently better about enjoying a cookie when you know it’s packed with a little extra goodness.
Does anyone else immediately think of the groom’s red velvet armadillo cake from the iconic 1989 movie “Steel Magnolias” when red velvet is mentioned? Or am I showing my age and perhaps my unwavering devotion to all things cake-related? When I hear “red velvet,” my mind invariably drifts to the southern United States, a region where this flavour is immensely popular. However, despite its strong association with the American South, its true origin story is a bit more intricate and, dare I say, sordid.
📖 The Rich History of Red Velvet
The history of red velvet cake is a fascinating tale, often debated and shrouded in legend. While many assume its deep red colour has always been a key feature, the “velvet” in its name originally referred to the cake’s remarkably smooth and fine crumb texture, not its colour. Early recipes, which often featured cocoa powder, vinegar, and buttermilk, would sometimes produce a subtle reddish-brown tint due to a natural chemical reaction between the acidic ingredients and the anthocyanins in natural cocoa. This reaction was responsible for the modest reddish hue before artificial dyes became common.
The widespread popularization of the vivid red cake we know today largely came about during the Great Depression. Adams Extract, a Texas-based company, is often credited with ingeniously marketing their red food dye by including it in red velvet cake recipes distributed across the United States. This clever strategy helped boost their sales and cemented the vibrant colour as a defining characteristic of the dessert. Additionally, the luxurious Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City also played a significant role, with its own famous red velvet cake recipe, often dubbed the “Waldorf-Astoria” cake, further elevating its status and appeal.
Red Velvet – a Fun Canadian Fact:
Beyond its American roots, red velvet also found a special place in Canadian culinary history. During the 1940s and ’50s, Red Velvet cake became a highly sought-after dessert in the restaurants of the prominent Eaton’s department store chain. It was even marketed as an exclusive Eaton’s recipe, with employees who knew the secret formula sworn to absolute secrecy. This air of mystery and exclusivity led many to falsely believe that the cake was the personal creation of the department store’s matriarch, Lady Eaton herself, further adding to its allure and mystique north of the border. This blend of historical intrigue and cultural dissemination makes the red velvet story all the more captivating.
💭 Why Beets in Red Velvet? The Natural Secret
The incorporation of beets into red velvet recipes might seem unconventional to some, but it’s a practice rooted in both historical necessity and a modern desire for natural ingredients. Beets, with their naturally intense reddish-purple pigment, are an ideal natural coloring agent for achieving that iconic red velvet look without resorting to artificial food dyes. But their use goes beyond just aesthetics.
During the challenging times of World War II, food rationing profoundly impacted baking practices. Bakers became resourceful, turning to ingredients like boiled beet juices not only to enhance the color of their cakes but also to help retain moisture in recipes that were often made with limited fats and sugars. Beets served a dual purpose: providing a rich, earthy sweetness and helping to maintain the desired soft, moist texture that defines a “velvet” cake. While “war food” often conjures images of unappetizing meals due to extreme rationing (and as a self-proclaimed “meat girl,” dishes with minimal meat rarely excite me!), this particular application of beets stands out as a true culinary innovation, making it my absolute favorite “war food” discovery. It’s a testament to how necessity can truly be the mother of invention, leading to delicious and healthier alternatives that continue to inspire today’s natural baking trends. You can read more about why beets were used to make red velvet HERE.
🥘 Key Ingredients for Healthy Beet Cookies
Crafting these easy and healthy beet cookies requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients that balance flavor, texture, and nutritional value. Here’s what you’ll need to gather to create this delightful, guilt-free treat:
- Canned Beets: Opting for canned beets simplifies the preparation process immensely. While you *can* use cooked fresh beets, draining and pureeing them adds an extra step that isn’t always necessary for busy bakers. Canned beets provide a convenient and effective way to infuse natural color and moisture into your cookies.
- Whole Wheat Flour: This is a cornerstone for making these cookies healthier. Whole wheat flour adds dietary fiber, essential nutrients, and a subtly nutty flavor compared to refined all-purpose flour. It contributes to a more satisfying and wholesome cookie.
- Baking Soda: A crucial leavening agent that works with acidic ingredients (like cocoa and yogurt) to create the cookies’ soft, cakey texture and rise.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is vital for balancing the sweetness and enhancing the overall flavor profile of the cookies, making the chocolate and beet notes truly pop.
- Butter: Real butter provides richness and contributes to the delightful mouthfeel and flavor. While we aim for health, moderation with real butter ensures these cookies remain indulgent without being overly heavy.
- Cocoa: Essential for that classic red velvet flavor. The cocoa reacts with the other ingredients to deepen the natural red color from the beets and provides a rich chocolatey backbone.
- White Granulated Sugar: Used in combination with brown sugar to achieve the perfect level of sweetness and contribute to the cookie’s tender crumb.
- Packed Brown Sugar: Adds moisture, a deeper molasses-like flavor, and a chewier texture to the cookies, complementing the other ingredients beautifully.
- Greek Yogurt: A fantastic healthy swap! I personally use non-fat Greek yogurt, which provides incredible moisture and a slight tanginess without adding significant fat. If you prefer a richer cookie, full-fat Greek yogurt can be used, but do be mindful of the increased calorie count. It’s a wonderful way to keep the cookies moist and tender.
- Vanilla: A touch of vanilla extract elevates all the other flavors, adding a warm, aromatic depth that is indispensable in baking.
💭 Top Tip for Superior Flavor!
When it comes to baking, often the smallest details make the biggest difference. For these healthy red velvet cookies, one crucial element is the vanilla extract. Don’t underestimate its power to elevate your cookies from good to truly exceptional. Always use a good quality pure vanilla extract. The depth of flavor it imparts cannot be replicated by artificial vanilla. Pure vanilla extract offers complex, warm, and sweet notes that round out the cocoa and beet flavors beautifully, enhancing the overall aroma and taste profile of your cookies. A little goes a long way, and thankfully, you can often find large bottles of pure vanilla extract at warehouse clubs like Costco for a very reasonable price, making it an affordable luxury for your pantry.
Beyond vanilla, ensure your beets are thoroughly pureed into a smooth, lump-free consistency. This is key for achieving a uniform color and texture throughout your cookies, preventing any chunky surprises and ensuring that velvety smooth bite.
Red Velvet’s Resilient Popularity Surge
In recent years, red velvet has experienced a phenomenal resurgence, captivating palates across North America and numerous European countries. What began as a subtle classic transformed into a major culinary phenomenon. In 2009, red velvet cake flavoring accounted for a mere 1.5 percent of all items listed on restaurant menus. However, by 2013, this figure had dramatically surged to 4.1 percent. Then, it seemed the entire culinary world went into a frenzy, ushering in an era of “RED VELVET EVERYTHING!”
This trend permeated all aspects of food, from lattes to ice creams, and even savory interpretations. A prime example of this trend’s peak was seen at the Calgary Stampede in 2015, an event notorious for its daring and often outrageous food innovations. That year, they offered Red Velvet Chicken Strips: Grade A chicken breast strips, deep-fried in a batter made from red velvet cake mix, and naturally, served with fries. The Calgary Stampede often acts as a barometer for current food trends; if a food is insanely popular, you can almost guarantee it will be “desecrated,” deep-fried, or morphed into something served on a stick there. Yet, by Stampede 2016, the red velvet craze seemed to have waned significantly, with no red velvet offerings to be found. This abrupt disappearance prompts the question: Does this mean red velvet is “sooo two years ago?”
Who can truly say? Attempting to track and predict food trends often feels as unpredictable as the weather patterns here in Calgary! But whether it’s still dominating global menus or not, one thing is clear: red velvet, in its various forms, has become so utterly ingrained in our food culture that it’s here to stay – at least in my foreseeable foodie future. It has transcended mere trend status to become a beloved staple, particularly in its more wholesome iterations like these delicious beet cookies. Its unique flavor profile and charming aesthetic ensure its enduring appeal, regardless of passing fads.
These red velvet cookies, made with the natural goodness of beets, offer a fantastic healthy dessert option and make for an ideal addition to any kids’ lunch box. They provide a sweet, satisfying treat that parents can feel good about packing. While this may mark the end of my dedicated “Lunch Bag Food” series, rest assured that I will continue to periodically post more wonderful lunch bag-friendly recipes, alongside a plethora of quick, easy, and healthy meal ideas. So, keep an eye out for more delicious inspiration!
If you’re a fan of healthy red velvet creations, don’t stop here! You absolutely must try my Healthy & Natural Red Velvet Pancakes with Sweet Chocolate Cream Cheese Butter. They are a delightful breakfast or brunch option that delivers all the classic red velvet flavor in a wholesome package.
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📋 Healthy Red Velvet Cookie Recipe
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Dessert, Snack
North American
20
cookies
146
kcal
Terri Gilson
10 minutes
15 minutes
25 minutes
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Ingredients
-
2 ¾
cups
whole wheat flour
-
½
teaspoon
baking soda -
¼
teaspoon
salt -
⅔
cup
butter -
½
cup
cocoa
-
1
-398 ml/140z can
can beets
drained and pureed -
½
cup
white granulated sugar -
1 ½
cup
packed brown sugar
-
⅔
cup
plain non fat greek yogurt
* Note: If you don’t like the non fat stuff you could go full fat, but it will obviously increase the calorie count. -
1
teaspoon
vanilla
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350°. Spray cookie sheet with non- stick cooking spray
-
In mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cocoa and salt; set aside.
-
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat; add sugars (mixture will resemble coarse sand).
-
Add yogurt and vanilla and drained and pureed beets to saucepan, stirring to combine.
-
Add flour mixture, stirring until moist.
-
Take the amount of a heaping tablespoon and form into balls. Then press down gently with a fork. Spread 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheets.
-
Bake at 350° for 12- 15 minutes or until almost set (and lightly browned on bottom). Cool on pans 3 to 5 minutes or until firm to the touch.
-
Remove cookies from pans; cool on wire racks. The cookies will have a cakey texture
Notes
Nutrition
Calories:
146
kcal
(7%)
|
Carbohydrates:
22
g
(7%)
|
Protein:
1
g
(2%)
|
Fat:
6
g
(9%)
|
Saturated Fat:
4
g
(25%)
|
Cholesterol:
16
mg
(5%)
|
Sodium:
122
mg
(5%)
|
Potassium:
67
mg
(2%)
|
Sugar:
21
g
(23%)
|
Vitamin A:
190
IU
(4%)
|
Calcium:
27
mg
(3%)
|
Iron:
0.4
mg
(2%)
Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a star rating and review below!
🥔🥕 More Healthy Desserts with Hidden Vegetables!
Embracing the goodness of vegetables in your desserts is a delicious way to enjoy sweet treats without the guilt. If you loved the idea of beets in your red velvet cookies, you’ll be thrilled to explore more inventive and healthy dessert recipes that cleverly incorporate vegetables:
- Healthy Applesauce & Spinach Brownies: A surprisingly delightful way to add greens and fruit to your chocolatey indulgence, resulting in moist and flavorful brownies.
- Healthy Homemade Jello Fruit & Veggie Snacks: Fun, colorful, and naturally sweetened snacks that pack a punch of fruits and vegetables, perfect for kids and adults alike.
- Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies: Zucchini lends incredible moisture to these classic cookies, making them soft, tender, and a little healthier.
- Healthy & Light Carrot Cake: A lighter version of the beloved classic, full of warm spices and shredded carrots for a naturally sweet and satisfying treat.
- Award-Winning Healthy Chocolate Chip Spinach Cookies: Don’t let the spinach fool you – these cookies are incredibly delicious, moist, and an excellent way to sneak in some extra greens.
- Potato Ice Cream: An adventurous and surprisingly creamy dessert that proves vegetables can truly be versatile, even in frozen treats!
Exploring these recipes will open your eyes to the incredible potential of incorporating nutrient-rich vegetables into your favorite sweet delights, proving that healthy eating can also be incredibly delicious and fun!