Chocolate Zucchini Cake
It’s rather rare that I bake a cake during the Summer, I typically stick to baking cupcakes and no bake treats that don’t take long to make or heat up the kitchen. But one exception is this Chocolate Zucchini Cake; super moist from the zucchini, filled with a little crunch from the nuts and a luscious chocolate flavor that can’t be beat!
Zucchini is one of those amazing vegetables, especially if you grow them yourself. They typically produce lots and lots of zucchini, and if you don’t watch them closely, you will have zucchini the size of baseball bats. I bet you know what I’m talking about. But actually, in my opinion, those are the best for baking. Just one huge zucchini will yield lots of cups of zucchini to freeze or use right away in a Zucchini Cake Recipe.
We also love Fried Zucchini, but it’s better to use small zucchini for that. My Mom used to fry the large zucchini, and although I loved them, I remember them having lots of seeds.
This recipe for Chocolate Zucchini Cake was one I found many moons ago in a newspaper article written by an Amish cook, you know they have the best recipes ever! It’s perfect to serve just about any time – potlucks, picnics, cook outs, weeknight dinner or even at a dinner party.
I like dusting it with a little powdered sugar and serving a dollop of Cool Whip or whipping cream on the side. And the cake is actually better the second or even third day – if it last that long!
We only planted 2 Zucchini plants this year in the garden, but you can see how much produce we will get from those plants. There are lots of Zucchini blossoms too. I’ve heard that they are good fried, have you ever tried them?
Zucchini is one of my favorite vegetables to bake with. Here are recipes for Zucchini Bread, Zucchini Bars, Zucchini Muffins, Zucchini Cupcakes and How to Freeze Zucchini…
Carrot Zucchini Bars | Zucchini Bread | Zucchini Raisin Muffins | Freezing Zucchini | Zucchini Cupcakes
Chocolate Zucchini Cake
A moist, decedent cake that is packed with flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 2 teaspoons Baking Soda
- 1 tablespoon Cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons Cocoa, unsweetened
- 3 Eggs
- 2 cups Sugar
- 1 cup Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Vanilla
- 2 cups Zucchini - grated
- 1 cup Nuts - I like walnuts in this recipe
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly spray 13x9 pan with cooking spray
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until well combined, do not overmix
- Pour into pan and bake for 50-60 minutes or when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean
- Cool completely
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve with whipping cream if desired
Notes
You can peel the zucchini or leave the peel on, either way is fine. Then roughly chop and grate in the food processor.
I want to bake this cake with my students but in order to go further I was wondering if I could bake it in a jellyroll pan and just decrease the baking time? What do you think?
Hi Katie, yes I think it would be fine. I haven’t baked it that way, but definitely just check the time.
Happy Baking!
~Liz
My mother-in-law used to make a delicious chocolate zucchini cake that we all loved. She passed away a few years ago, and I definitely want to try this. It would be great to recreate some wonderful memories!
This seems like a lot of sugar…can it be cut back to a cup+ a little more?
@linda, I suppose you could cut back a little, it’s not a sweet cake at all though. The zucchini absorbs the sugar.
Thanks for stopping by!
~Liz
Just wanted to say thank you for the recipe, it sounds delicious. I am going to try and make it tomorrow, wish me luck! Jade xx
I was searching through Google doing research for a blog when i came across this article and I found it very informative and interesting even though it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, It is certainly a recipe I shall try in the future. Thanks Kelli xx
@Designer Cake Lady, Thank you so much for visiting! Please stop by again soon.
~Liz
Strangely enough, I’ve lost my favorite chocolate zucchini cake recipe too. I’ll have to try this one, it sure sounds like a winner!
I was wondering could u put a cream cheese frosting on the cake. I`ve never tried a chocolate one before.
I like to sprinkle the top with some chopped nuts and mini chocolate chips. It is a rich, moist cake and is delicisous with or without frosting or topping.
sorry, “delicious”!!
Yes, we love the extra toppings on the Chocolate Zucchini Cake too, Gail!
-Liz
I made some zucchini chocolate-chip muffins that were just so-so. But I’m about to head out to the garden and see what grew during our week-long absence. I suspect I’ll see some zucchini, and now I know just what I’ll be doing with them!
Great recipe! Thanks for sharing.
I had this recipe years ago but misplaced it long ago. 🙁 So glad to find it again! Thanks!
I’ve made this before and I love it. So moist and yummy!
This looks delicious! I’m hoping someone will share their bounty of zucchini and I will give it a try!
I am really going to have to make this! I have some zucchini that was just waiting for you to post this recipe. (My zucchney have ESP! and I am proud of them!!)
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe with Food on Fridays. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Shari
Never had chocolate and zucchini together. But, you had me at chocolate, Do you think I can get away with serving this as a veggie. THANKS!!! Geri
I think you could, it has lots of zucchini in it. Thanks for visiting!
~Liz
this one is quite similar to my grandma’s recipe! 🙂 Love it. Most people can’t tell there is zucchini in it.