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1
Make the cake In a medium saucepan, cover the beets with water and bring to a boil.
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2
Add a generous pinch of salt and simmer over moderate heat until tender, 40 to 45 minutes.
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3
Drain and let cool completely.
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4
Peel the beets and cut into chunks, then puree in a food processor until very smooth.
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5
Measure 1 cup of the puree and reserve the rest for another use.
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6
Preheat the oven to 325.
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7
Grease three 9-inch round baking pans with nonstick cooking spray and line them with parchment paper.
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8
In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate at high power in 30-second intervals; stir until smooth.
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9
In a large bowl, sift the cake flour with the baking soda, nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
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10
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle, beat the butter with the granulated sugar at medium-high speed until fluffy.
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11
At medium speed, beat in the eggs one at a time until light and fluffy.
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12
Beat in the 1 cup of beet puree along with the melted chocolate, buttermilk, vanilla and food coloring (if using) until no streaks remain.
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13
Scrape down the side of the bowl, then beat in the dry ingredients in 2 batches until just incorporated.
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14
Spread the batter in the prepared cake pans and bake for about 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of each cake comes out clean; rotate the cakes from top to bottom halfway through baking.
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15
Transfer the cakes to a rack to cool completely.
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16
Meanwhile, make the icing In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle, beat the cream cheese with the butter, vanilla seeds and salt at medium speed until smooth.
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17
At low speed, beat in the confectioners sugar until incorporated, then beat the icing at medium speed until light and very smooth.
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18
Refrigerate until lightly chilled and firmed up, about 30 minutes.
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19
Unmold the cakes and peel off the parchment paper.
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20
Invert a cake layer on a large cake plate and frost with one-fourth of the icing.
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21
Place another cake on top and frost with another one-fourth of the icing.
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22
Top with the remaining cake.
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23
Frost the outside of the cake with one-fourth of the icing and refrigerate until the icing is firm, about 1 hour.
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24
Frost the cake with the remaining frosting and, using a spatula, decoratively swirl the top.
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25
Refrigerate the cake until the icing is set, about 45 minutes.
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26
Cut into wedges and serve.