Secret Chocolate Cake

*Adapted from Simply In Season

2 cups beets* (cooked, peeled, and chopped)

1/2 cup applesauce

Puree in blender until smooth. Set aside.

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup plain yogurt

3 eggs

Combine in a large mixing bowl. Beat with electric mixer 2 minutes.

1/2 cup baking cocoa

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Add along with pureed beets; beat another 90 seconds.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

Gradually sift into the batter, mixing it in with a spoon but stirring only until well blended.

1/2 cup chocolate chips and/or nuts (chopped)

Stir in. Pour into greased 9 X 13 inch baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350F until knife inserted in center comes out clean, 40-50 minutes. Can also be baked in a bundt pan, and topped with a chocolate glaze, as pictured here.

*Variation: Substitute 2-3 cups shredded raw zucchini or summer squash for the cooked, pureed beets.