I am happy to say that with all of the zucchini we’ve been growing in our garden (four plants for two people… was a little much) we have yet to let many of them go to waste. I’d say only one or two have been trashed because I let them sit for too long. It’s almost become a game as to how I will prepare the next zucchini. It started with my No Really, It’s Healthy Zucchini Bread and then my Stuffed Zucchini with Tomatoes and Mozzarella was a major hit with the hubs. I mean, who really doesn’t love anything that tastes like pizza?? From there I went on to make Zucchini and Yellow Squash Gratin which is a fantastic recipe. Probably one of my favorite has been my Veggie Lovers Stuffed Zucchini (which has been pretty popular on Pinterest as well!) I then decided to switch gears a little bit with my Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins…which are PHENOMENAL! Lastly, Sunday I brought you a Roasted Veggie Medley that is the perfect pairing to any dish. I’d definitely say that my quest to diversify my typical zucchini recipes has far exceeded my expectations. What a great summer of vegetables this has been. But wait. There’s more! One of my readers ALL THE WAY FROM AUSTRALIA recently emailed me one of her favorite zucchini recipes!!! Little did I know it would be so fantastic. If you don’t make anything else with your zucchini (and even if you need to go out and buy some) you HAVE to make this! It is beyond moist and delicious. I’ve had many taste testers on this cake and the common reaction is: mmmmmmm….
Zucchini Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
This Zucchini Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is chocolate-y and delicious!
Ingredients
- 1/2 c. butter
- 1 c. brown sugar
- 1/2 c. white sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 1/2 c. flour
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/2 c. plain yogurt
- 1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 3 c. grated zucchini remove excess moisture
- 1/2 - 1 c. chocolate chips chips optional
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 c. powdered sugar
- Slightly less than 2/3 c. heavy cream
- 1/2 c. cream cheese softened
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a 9x13 or bundt pan.
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Beat the butter with the sugars. Add eggs one at a time, until light and creamy (with a spoonful of the measured flour to prevent the mixture curdling, if needed). Add the vanilla and yogurt; mix well. Sift the dry ingredients together.
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Stir in dry ingredients, along with the grated zucchini. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle the surface with choc chips if desired. Bake for 45 minutes, or until center feels firm and a inserted toothpick comes out clean.
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For the Cream Cheese Frosting: In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine all ingredients and whip until smooth. If mixture is too thick add more cream one teaspoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency. Spoon over completely cooled cake. Refrigerate and leftovers.
Recipe Notes
[My 2 Cents]
I completely forgot to add chocolate chips to the cake before I baked it, therefore I improvised and sprinkled them on after I frosted it with just a handful of mini chocolate chips. Because the cake is so moist, I also stored it in the refrigerator. It lasted a couple of days for me. You probably won't want to keep it around too much longer. But who am I kidding? This won't last longer than that!
Adapted from Karen D.
Martha
I”m new at this, but I would love to try making this cake. What kind of flour do you use is this all-purpose or self-rising?
Yvonne
I just used all-purpose and it worked great! Of all the 10 or 11 flours I have.. (I’ve got a bunch!) I don’t think I’ve ever bought self-rising :) I’m sure either would work..although I’ve never baked with the self rising. You will LOVE this cake. It’s amazing!
can this be made with gluten free flour, and still be as moist and good?
Yvonne
I don’t have any experience with gluten free flour, but I’d say it would be worth a shot! If you try it – let me know!
Sandy
Could you bake this as a layer cake?
Yvonne
Sure! I don’t see why not – in fact that’s a great idea. If you are wanting to still use the cream cheese frosting I would probably use this cream cheese frosting recipe instead, just because it’s thicker and would hold up much better. Hope that helps!
Karina
Yumm! This looks delicious and your photography skills are amazing! I think that you are doing a wonderful job in that department :) Keep up the good work!!! And I think that I need to try this recipe ;)
Yvonne
Thanks for coming over! I really, really appreciate it! I think you need to try this recipe too ;)
Oh wow! This looks amazing. Our zucchini plant was eaten before it had a chance to produce a single flower. :( I keep hoping someone will share their extras. :)
Yvonne
Oh no!! Eaten? That’s a bummer! If you don’t happen to get any from friends or neighbors, try the farmer’s market. Local and fresh!
I love zucchini cake! I am going to have to try your version. Looks delicious!
Yvonne
Try it! Try it! I’m just sure you will love it as much as I did!!
What a yummy way to use up all that zucchini sneakily ;)
Yvonne
I know right?? Three whole cups! That’s pretty decent!
Aimee Berrett
Yum! I am hoping we’ll be getting a lot more zucchini from our garden and this cake definitely looks like something I’ll need to make with it! Plus cream cheese frosting? Yum!
Yvonne
Yes! You will have to give this a try for sure. Trust me. You won’t regret it! I’ll cross my fingers for your garden to grow more zucchini.
Cream cheese frosting is my favorite! This looks incredible!
Yvonne
Isn’t it the best?? Ooooh… I love me some cream cheese frosting!