Waitrose has launched two sweet vegetable cheesecakes, featuring beetroot and avocado, in what it claims is a first for a UK supermarket.

Rolling out this week, the brightly-coloured NPD is available in two flavours – Avocado & Lime and Beetroot & Raspberry –priced at £4 for two slices.

They draw on the increasing demand for added vegetables in goods from sausages to smoothies, said Waitrose, as Brits become more health conscious. Notably, the new cheesecake slices contain 30% less sugar than Waitrose New York Cheesecake with Raspberry & Passion Fruit.

“Although carrot cake has been around for years and Instagram is filled with chocolate cake recipes using beetroot, we’d not come across vegetables being used more widely in desserts. We knew our customers would love this trend, so decided to start experimenting with ideas for our desserts,” said Samantha Cooke, Waitrose desserts product developer.

“The inclusion of veg gives these cheesecakes a really bright and bold natural colour, as well as a delicious, creamy texture. For our customers who prefer a dessert that’s not super-sweet, these are the perfect option. In fact, they contain 30% less sugar than some other Waitrose cheesecakes.”