Chocolate Zucchini Cake (or cupcakes)
Moist and delicious, this recipe for Chocolate Zucchini Cake is so easy to make and is a great way to get everyone to eat their vegetables.
Ingredients
- For the Cake
- 2 ½ cups unsifted all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa I like Ghiradelli
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- pinch salt
- 1 ¾ cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla use real, not imitation vanilla, it really does make a difference
- ½ cup 2% buttermilk or sour your milk by mixing 1 teaspoon lemon juice or white wine vinegar to milk and let it sit for 5 minutes
- 1 stick ½ cup unsalted butter, cut into several pieces
- ½ cup oil I used olive oil for its heart-healthy properties, and no, you can't taste it
- 2 cups coarsely chopped or grated zucchini patted dry
- For the Frosting
- 1 stick ½ cup unsalted butter
- 6 tablespoons ⅜ cup evaporated milk
- 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 - 3 cups confectioner's sugar also known as powdered sugar
- Chopped toasted pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake or Cupcakes: Heat the oven to 325°F. In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, and a pinch of salt; mix with a fork and set aside.
- n a food processor, process the eggs, sugar, and vanilla until fluffy, then add the butter. Process about 1 minute. With the machine running, add the milk and oil. Stop the machine and add the zucchini; plus until mixed; add the dry ingredients and process, with pulses, until the flour disappears. Do not over process.
- Pour into greased and floured cake rounds (tip: use cocoa powder to flour your pan, it adds more flavor and better color) Or, ladle into a muffin tin that has paper inserts; fill about ¾ full.
- Bake for 40 - 45 minutes (for the cake) or 25 minutes (for cupcakes); or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Allow to cool then frost.
- Prepare the Frosting: In a small pan heat the butter and evaporated milk. Chop the semi-sweet chips in the food processor; with the machine running add the hot milk mixture. Add powdered sugar to make a spreadable consistency. Spread on the top of the cake; sprinkle with nuts, if desired.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!