In the days before "red" was an ingredient, red velvet cupcakes were actually made with FOOD that was red - namely, beets.

Hold the phone...beets in your cupcakes?

Yes, you can put vegetables in your cupcakes, as well as my other deserts. And you should, too. It's not even fair how good these freaking cupcakes are.

And never fear - they're gluten-free and grain-free, as well. Kinda goes with the Paleo/Primal plan - swap your grains for some fresh veggies (true story - with a little creativity, you can put veggies in anything). Fewer grains mean fewer carbs and a whole lot less gluten and other inflammatory agents--leaving you with just a delicious desert that treats your body right.

In the case of these cupcakes, the beets make them incredibly moist and give them a unique flavor.

They are..."real" tasting. I know that's not terribly clear, but bear with me...

You know how when you bite into a "normal" cupcake it's like getting kicked in the teeth by pure sugar? These aren't like that. Beet-based red velvet cupcakes taste like delicious, delicious FOOD. And they are. Butter. Beets. Chocolate. A touch of natural sweetener. Ohhh boy...

So give them a shot - you might find that you like veggies after all.

Ingredients:

2 cups beet puree*

1 cup melted butter

3 eggs

3/4 cup almond flour

3/4 cup coconut flour

1 cup 100% cocoa powder

1/2 cup whole goat's milk

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 cup xylitol (for low-glycemic) or natural sweetener (honey, maple syrup, etc.)

2 teaspoons Greek yogurt or goat yogurt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 oz 100% chocolate bar cut into small pieces

Toppings:

Cream cheese

Sprinkles of cacao nibs

Cinnamon

*To puree the beets, take 2 to 3 unpeeled medium size beets, cut the stems off, wrap in tin foil and bake in the oven at 400 degrees for 1 hour. Let cool. Peel the beets (the skin should slip off pretty easily). Puree in the blender or food processor until smooth like applesauce.

Mix all ingredients except for the cream cheese, cocoa nibs and cinnamon. Scoop the batter into paper cups in a cupcake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Let your cupcakes cool (or not), top with cream cheese, and sprinkle with cacao nibs and cinnamon.

Eat ravenously.