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Vegetable cakes to make the most of late summer produce

• Janine Ratcliffe

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Vegetables in cakes? Don't knock it until you try it. From carrot to beetroot and courgette, we put all kinds of veg to work in these sweet bakes

Looking for vegetable cake recipes? Want the best carrot or beetroot cake? Perhaps you want to experiment with the likes of courgette, parsnip or pumpkin in your bakes? Try our ideas below.

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We have lots more inspiration for easy cake recipes, vegan cakes and cupcakes, too.

Turn your veg into a cake

Everyone's heard of carrot cake and pumpkin pie, but you can turn all manner of veg into a moreish teatime treat. Vegetable cakes make a nifty way to sneak in some of your five a day – sweet parsnip and courgette keeps sponge super moist, beetroot adds earthiness and a deep-purple hue while avocado offers a subtle, silky texture.

Vegetable cakes are great for making the most of the seasons: transform a late-summer crop of courgettes into an avocado, courgette and lime drizzle cake or turn wintery beetroot into a squidgy chocolate beetroot cake, brimming with sweet earthy flavours. You could even switch up your go-to carrot cake with an updated parsnip and maple syrup cake. Perfect for using up any leftovers from your veg box.

Instead of baking a classic sponge cake, try turning a glut of allotment root veg into a batch of fluffy cupcakes or even these baked doughnuts. Discover more of our vegetable cakes below.

How to make a cake from beetroot

Beetroot brownies

Beetroot brings an earthy depth of flavour to these brownies and creates a squidgy texture – they’re even better the day after baking along with a cup of tea.

Chocolate beetroot cake

Beetroot adds earthiness and a deep-purple hue to this chocolate bake, best served with a great big dollop of crème fraîche. A great way to use a beetroot glut.

How to turn your carrots into a cake

Carrot cake

Everyone loves the spiced flavour of carrot cake – and you'll be a fan of how simple this recipe is. We use muscovado sugar for a rich flavour, golden sultanas and pecans for texture and a shot of syrup to sweeten the frosting.

Carrot cake loaf

Upgrade your carrot cake by topping it with brown butter soft cheese icing. The nutty depth of the browned butter beautifully complements the warm orange and cinnamon notes.

Carrot cake traybake

Traybakes are famous for their ease and the fact that they can feed a crowd. Combine this with the classic flavours of a carrot cake, and you're onto a crowd-pleasing winner.

Carrot cake cupcakes

We've reimagined the classic carrot cake in cupcake form, and made it all the more delicious with an orange cream cheese frosting. You don't need butter for the sponge – it calls for light olive oil instead.

Classic vegan carrot cake

This classic frosted carrot cake is made with a surprising vegan ingredient that guarantees a moist sponge every time. It was created by Richard Makin (also known as the School Night Vegan) and might just be your new favourite version of the classic.

Carrot-halwa millionaire bars

This decadent hybrid recipe combines a fudgy carrot halwa topping with a buttery pistachio shortbread base.

Carrot and tahini muffins

Give classic carrot cake an upgrade with a silky smooth, nutty tahini buttercream – these posh muffins make for the perfect mid-afternoon pick-me-up.

Healthy carrot cake muffins

Try our healthier alternative to carrot cake. Thick Greek yogurt is the key to these miraculous muffins, flavoured with orange zest, mixed spice and maple syrup.

Carrot cake cheesecake

Combine two well-loved classics to make a next-level pud. Packed with plenty of spice, zest of an orange and crunchy pecans, this recipe is sure to impress friends and family.

Gluten-free carrot cake

Carrots, pistachios and almonds give this gluten-free carrot cake a rich, moist crumb, and the toasted marshmallow icing is a lighter topping than traditional buttercream.

Bakes to use courgette

Courgette, avocado and lime drizzle cake

Sneak some of your five a day into your bake with this recipe for courgette cakes with avocado and a lime drizzle. The courgettes keep the sponge lovely and moist while the avo gives a subtle silky feel.

Courgette and lime cake

Don't have an avocado? Then use this recipe to turn courgettes into a sweet, zesty loaf cake, with limes for zing and a crunchy pistachio top.

Courgette and coconut layer cake

If you love veggie cakes then you'll love our easy courgette and coconut cake. The courgette helps keep the layers of sponge super moist, while fluffy cream cheese icing is packed in between them. Topped with coconut crisps, it's an easy but handsome bake.

Courgette loaf cake

This courgette cake, crowned with a tangy lemon buttercream, is a wonderfully moist afternoon treat that can be prepared up to three days in advance. Stir in a handful of mixed seeds for a satisfying crunch, or add extra lemon zest to the batter if you love a zesty, slightly sour kick.

Chocolate courgette cake

Here's a great way to use up a glut of courgettes. This decadent, chocolaty cake serves up to 12 – great for a birthday or other celebration.

Courgette muffins

Try these super-simple savoury muffins, made with grated courgette and cheddar. These easy vegetable muffins make a delicious afternoon snack.

Bakes to use rhubarb

Rhubarb and ginger upside-down cake

Rhubarb gives this impressive upside-down cake a colourful patchwork-style top. The tart rhubarb is complemented with ginger and white chocolate for a seriously tasty bake.

Rhubarb and custard cake

Capture a nostalgic sweet in cake form with this delicious rhubarb and custard sponge. Soured cream keeps this bake moist, and the crumble topping is a great contrast to sharp rhubarb.

Baked rhubarb and custard cheesecake

We've jazzed up this classic combination and baked it in the style of a cheesecake. This creamy recipe isn't just easy to make, it looks super impressive, too.

Rhubarb frangipane cake

Pair tangy rhubarb with ground almonds in this nutty sponge and serve with crème fraîche for an easy dessert. This recipe comes from nose-to-tail Italian restaurant, Manteca.

Rhubarb pound cake

This rhubarb pound cake is sure to win over every crowd, with a sweet surprise of hidden white chocolate chips at its heart for an extra treat.

Rhubarb muffins

These rhubarb muffins use fewer than 10 ingredients for a fuss-free, budget-friendly bake that keeps waste to a minimum. Ready in just under an hour, they’re perfect for when your sweet tooth strikes.

Parsnip bakes

Parsnip and maple syrup cake

Change up your usual carrot cake and make this easy version with parsnip instead. Darina Allen's impressive recipe starring this sweet root veg is super moist, delicious and easy to make. Make extra crisps to nibble with drinks.

Bakes to use pumpkin

Pumpkin cake

Dotted with nuts and flavoured with maple syrup, this seasonal special (made with real pumpkin) is finished with a zesty soft cheese topping.

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Pumpkin muffins

Give your leftover Halloween pumpkin a tasty second life with these spiced pumpkin muffins. Simply blitz your roasted pumpkin in a blender and mix with warming autumnal spices to create the perfect muffin base.

Authors

Janine RatcliffeFood director

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