Chocolate Zucchini Cake
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Chocolate Zucchini Cake is rich and moist, and topped with a decadent chocolate frosting. You’d never know there was zucchini hidden in this easy and delicious chocolate cake!
Growing up we had a family garden and a couple of fruit trees. I remember having to help weed the garden and clean up the fruit on the grass from our trees. It wasn’t always fun, but I definitely think it helped mold me into the hard worker that I am today.
If there’s one vegetable that you seriously can’t fail at growing, it’s zucchini. They grow like weeds, and then you are going around the neighborhood trying to pawn them off on your neighbors. Haha.
Chocolate Zucchini Cake
One family recipe I remember from my childhood was my mom’s Chocolate Zucchini Cake. All of us kids loved that cake. That is, until my brothers found out it had zucchini in it, then they stopped eating it. Haha, but they sure were fooled!
My kids LOVED this recipe for my mom’s chocolate zucchini cake and were fully aware of the zucchini in it. Luckily it didn’t scare them off. Although the Bakery Swirled Icing on top probably helped its appeal factor.
I’m sure all of the chocolate negates the health benefits of the zucchini, but zucchini still adds moisture to the cake, so it’s a great ingredient and helps take care of those garden veggies.
If you want more great zucchini recipes, try this Lemon Zucchini Bread. Or if you’re looking for something savory, this Carrot Zucchini Rice is so tasty. You could always make Pesto Chicken and Summer Squash Skewers too. So many ways to use zucchini!
Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Chocolate Zucchini Cake is rich and moist, and topped with a decadent chocolate frosting. You'd never know there was zucchini hidden in this easy and delicious chocolate cake!
Ingredients
Cake:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder (I use dark cocoa)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup oil (vegetable/canola)
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups shredded zucchini
Frosting:
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 6 Tbsp cocoa powder (I use dark cocoa)
- 2 Tbsp light corn syrup or honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-4 Tbsp milk
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 13x9-inch baking pan.
- FOR THE CAKE: In a large bowl whisk the flour, sugar, cocoa, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In another large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Stir in the zucchini.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until incorporated. Batter will be thick.
- Spread cake batter into prepared baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick is almost clean from the center. Do NOT over-bake. Allow cake to cool completely before frosting.
- FOR THE FROSTING: Using an electric hand mixer, beat the butter, cocoa, corn syrup, and vanilla in a large bowl. Add the powdered sugar, 2 Tablespoons of milk, and a pinch of salt. Mix well. Add more milk a little at a time until desired spreading consistency is reached.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12Amount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g
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Welcome!
Hi, I’m Amber! I am a culinary graduate and dessert lover! This is where I share my favorite sweet and savory recipes alongside my knowledge and skills as a culinary graduate. I hope you find something you like!
7 Comments on “Chocolate Zucchini Cake”
Wondering if it’s possible to make this cake and or your chocolate cupcakes with less sugar?
Hi Tatiana, I haven’t tried less sugar, but if you try it, I would only do 1/4 cup less at a time just to be sure not to mess with the chemistry of the recipe too much.
Thanks Amber, shall give it a go, when I make your cake tomorrow.
Hi Amber, How do you get the decorative pattern on icing?
I have a post about that here: https://www.dessertnowdinnerlater.com/bakery-swirled-icing/
This cake is amazing! I found the recipe on My Baking Addiction many years ago while searching for Zucchini recipes, and have made it many times since. It always gets rave reviews from family and friends and I have shared the recipe with many of them. I Rate it 5 Stars+!
Definitely a classic recipe for zucchini! Thanks Donna!