Step 1

First, make the beet puree. Cut off the stems and rinse the beets.

Step 2

Slice the beets in half and place into a pot. Fill the pot to where the water reaches a couple inches over the beets. Stir in the lemon juice.

Step 3

Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 30-35 minutes or until the beets are fork tender.

Step 4

Place the warm beets onto a cutting board or plate (reserve the water they were boiled in). Gently scrape away the skins with a fork and transfer the beets to a food processor.

Step 5

Add in 1/4 cup of the reserved water and blitz until the beets reach an apple sauce consistency. Run a spoon through the puree to test and make sure there are no large clumps left in the mix.

Step 6

Pour the beet puree into a measuring glass to make sure it’s exactly 1 cup. If you’re a little short, mix in a couple tablespoons of the reserved water.

Step 7

Preheat the oven to 350F and grease and line two 8” (or 9”) cake pans. Wrap the pans in damp cake strips if you have them.

Step 8

In a measuring glass, combine the milk and vinegar. Set aside.

Step 9

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder, milk powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Step 10

In a separate bowl using a hand or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix together the butter and 1 cup of sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 11

Now add in the oil and remaining 1 cup of sugar and mix until smooth.

Step 12

Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla and beet puree.

Step 13

Alternating between wet and dry, mix in half of the dry ingredients, then the milk and vinegar mixture, then the rest of the dry ingredients.

Step 14

Evenly divide the batter between the two cake pans. For 8” pans, bake for 35-40 minutes, for 9” pans, bake for 30-35 minutes. They’re ready when a toothpick comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.

Step 15

Allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling. *You can also chill the cakes overnight and frost the next day. Allow the cakes to cool at room temperature, then thoroughly wrap each cake with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator.

Step 16

While the cakes cool, make the frosting.

Step 17

In a large bowl using a hand or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix the butter until smooth.

Step 18

Add in the cream cheese and mix until well combined. Scrape down the bowl and mix again.

Step 19

Mix in the powdered sugar one cup at a time, followed by the vanilla.

Step 20

Store the frosting in the refrigerator while the cakes continue to cool.

Step 21

To assemble, level off the tops of the cakes if needed. *Optional – Preheat the oven to 350F and crumble the cake tops onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 minutes or until dry and then blitz in a food processor to make decorative crumbles. Crumbled freeze dried raspberries also make a great natural decoration.

Step 22

Spread an even layer of cream cheese frosting between the two cakes and cover the entire cake in the remaining frosting. Decorate however you like and enjoy!