Beetroot Cake Recipe: Moist, Vibrant and Easy to Bake 2026

This beetroot cake is a wonderfully different dessert: incredibly moist, with a tender crumb and a deep, striking color that makes it a real showstopper. It is simple to make at home and the step-by-step instructions below guarantee great results every time.

Beetroot does more than add color; it keeps the cake juicy and gives it a subtly sweet, earthy note that pairs beautifully with the cocoa and a tangy cream cheese frosting. Whether you use raw or cooked beets, the method stays the same, and the result is always a crowd-pleaser.

An important tip for that vivid hue: acid is your friend. Adding vinegar and lemon juice to the batter helps preserve the beetroot's intense color during baking; without them, the cake would turn a much paler, brownish shade. That is why this recipe includes both, ensuring a beautiful, appetizing finish.

Ingredients for Beetroot Cake

This recipe makes 12 servings.

• 280 g beetroot (raw or cooked)
• 250 ml buttermilk (250 ml milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
• 250 g sugar
• 3 medium eggs
• 200 ml mild olive oil
• 350 g wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 15 g unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 pinch salt

How to Make Beetroot Cake Step by Step

1. Prepare the oven and beetroot purée

Preheat the oven to 180 °C (350 °F) with top and bottom heat. Grease and line a rectangular mold about 25 x 10 cm or a round one of 20 cm diameter. Blend 280 g of peeled raw or cooked beetroot (see the introduction for differences), cut into chunks, with 250 ml buttermilk (you can make it by mixing 250 ml milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice), 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, the juice of 1 lemon and 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract. Blend very well until you get a fine purée. Set aside.

2. Beat the sugar and eggs

In another bowl, beat 250 g sugar with 3 medium eggs until the mixture doubles in volume.

3. Add the oil

Add 200 ml mild olive oil while continuing to beat with a whisk at low speed.

4. Add the beetroot purée

Add the beetroot purée to the egg mixture and mix well.

5. Sift and incorporate the dry ingredients

Sift 350 g wheat flour together with 2 teaspoons baking powder, 15 g unsweetened cocoa powder and 1 pinch salt. Fold these ingredients into the batter with gentle movements and pour it into the mold.

6. Bake and cool

Bake the beetroot cake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let it rest in the mold for 10 minutes. Then unmold, remove the paper and let it cool completely on a wire rack.

7. Make the frosting base

Once the cake has cooled, beat 50 g unsalted butter at room temperature with 100 g sifted powdered sugar in a bowl until the mixture lightens and becomes creamy.

8. Add the cream cheese

Next, add 75 g cream cheese and beat for a couple of minutes until fully incorporated.

9. Decorate and serve

Decorate the cake by spreading this cream over the surface and serve it cut into portions.

Tips for the Best Beetroot Cake

Raw vs cooked beetroot

You can use either raw or cooked beetroot in the same quantity and following the same steps. Raw beetroot gives a much more intense, reddish color and a denser crumb, while cooked beetroot yields a softer, caramelized flavor and a more silky, tender texture. Choose raw for a striking color or cooked for a milder taste and airier crumb.

Keep the color vibrant

Acidity is key to preserving that beautiful hue. The vinegar and lemon juice in the batter prevent the cake from turning pale or brownish during baking, so don't skip them. Measure carefully and enjoy the vivid result.

Frosting perfection

The cream cheese frosting adds creaminess, color and flavor that make each bite memorable. Make sure the butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for a smooth, lump-free frosting, and spread it once the cake is completely cool.

30 Best Recipes I Love Making at Home

If you’re like me, you probably enjoy keeping a mix of easy comfort food, classic international dishes, and crowd-pleasing desserts on hand.

Whenever I want something rich and indulgent, I usually go for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And when I’m craving something fruity and comforting, I always come back to this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe.

For easy breakfasts and lighter meals, I often make these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. When I need a gluten-free pantry staple, I also like preparing this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe.

When I’m in the mood for tapas and Mediterranean flavors, I usually rotate between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. I also love serving this crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe when I want something a little more special.

For hearty lunches and cozy dinners, I always recommend this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. If I want something more filling, I’ll often make this baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Whenever I’m craving street food or party-style dishes, I usually make this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. I also like serving these easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe as a simple appetizer or snack.

And if I’m putting together drinks and a full menu for guests, I’ll often pair dinner with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To round everything out, I love adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing the table with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

More Delicious Cooking Recipes for Family

Over the years of testing and refining recipes in my own kitchen, I’ve learned that the best dishes combine simplicity, reliable techniques, and bold flavor.

The recipes in this collection are the ones I personally return to again and again—whether I’m cooking a quick meal for myself or preparing something special for friends and family.

For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I often make when I want something elegant but easy. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, learning how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.

When I want something fresh and simple, I usually turn to the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often recommend the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I also love sharing traditional dishes from around the world, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer recipes are another category I cook regularly because they save time while still producing great texture. My go-to options include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

For anyone avoiding wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe proves that classic baked pasta dishes can still be rich, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying without gluten.

Gluten free Empanada Dough Recipe 🍕 Fluffy Apple Cake Recipe 🍔 Langos Hungarian Fried Bread Recipe 🌭 Gluten Free French Brioche Recipe 🍟 Madeira British Sponge Cake Recipe 🌮 Chocolate Argentinian Cookies Alfajores Recipe 🌯 Barmbrack Irish Sweet Bread Recipe 🥙 Gluten free Cookies Recipe 🥗 Homemade cream Maruxas Galician Biscuit Recipe 🍝 Japanese Dumplings Gyoza Dough Recipe

American Gluten Free Cookies Recipe 🍜 Gluten Free King Cake Recipe 🍲 Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe 🍛 Extremadura Style Chard Recipe 🍣 Keto Sliced Sandwich Bread Recipe 🍱 Gluten Free Waffles Recipe 🍤 Low Carb Keto Pizza Recipe 🍗 Gluten Free Bread Rolls Recipe 🍖 Flourless Gluten Free Bread Buns Recipe 🥓 Protein Ice Cream Recipe 🥞 Chia Pudding Dessert with Seeds Recipe

Fluffy Cloud Bread Pan Nube Recipe 🧇 Quinoa Bread Recipe 🍞 Schiacciata Tuscan Focaccia Flat Bread Recipe 🥐 Shokupan Japanese Milk Bread Recipe 🥨 Potato Sandwich Bread Recipe 🧀 Homemade Breadsticks Recipe 🍳 Stollen German Dried Fruits Cake Recipe 🥚 French Gingerbread Spiced Cake Recipe 🍰 Gluten Free Pancakes Recipe

🥔 Potato-omelet-in-Thermomix 🍓 Smores-Sandwich-Dessert 🍰 Womens-Day-Mimosa-cake ☕ Coffee-Sorbet 🍆 Eggplant-pizza 🍋 Ciambella-Italian-Lemon-Cake 🥖 Zapiekanka-Polish-Snack 🌰 Dukkah-Egyptian-Nuts-Mix 🧆 Best-Hummus 🥑 Best-Avocado