It’s that time of year again. You know what I’m talking about if you planted zucchini in your garden. It’s now piling up on your counter, filling your fridge…
My 13 year old was in charge of our garden this year. Earlier this year we volunteered at our local food bank and she learned you can donate produce from your garden so she was really excited to take that on. We have an Asian Pear tree that produces a lot of fruit so between that and the garden she’s donated over 100 pounds so far! That still leaves zucchini on my counter though. I wanted to make something special to celebrate her hard work and remembered my chocolate carrot cake (the most fantastic carrot cake EVER) and wondered how it translate to zucchini. I was NOT disappointed! Rich, tender, moist, and chocolaty!
I have no doubt this recipe will be made again before zucchini time is up!
Chocolate Zucchini Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 4 large eggs
- 3/4 cup canola oil (or other neutral oil)
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt (sour cream works as well)
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 3 cups shredded zucchini (cut our and discard middle with large seeds if using larger zucchini)
- 1 cup miniature chocolate chips
For Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 pound powdered sugar (about 4 cups)
- 2 Tablespoons cream or milk, more as needed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 by 13 pan. Set aside.
- Sift together the flour, sugars, cocoa, baking powder and soda, and salt into a large bowl.
- Add the eggs, oil, yogurt, and applesauce. Mix until well incorporated.
- Fold in the zucchini and chocolate chips.
- Spread batter in the prepared pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until cake springs back when you gently push on the top.
To make frosting:
- Cream the cream cheese and butter until fluffy in a large bowl.
- Sift the cocoa powder and powdered sugar together and gradually add to cream cheese.
- Add cream and vanilla, adding additional cream as needed to reach desired consistency.
