Description
Chocolate Zucchini Cake features a blend of grated zucchini and rich cocoa powder for a moist, tender crumb. Each bite combines deep chocolate flavor with a soft texture, enhanced by chocolate chips and a creamy chocolate frosting. Perfect for gatherings, this crowd-pleasing dessert uses buttermilk for added richness, making it a decadent treat that stays fresh and delicious.
Ingredients
- 2 cups grated zucchini
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup butter, softened (for frosting)
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder (for frosting)
- 3 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 1/3 cup milk (for frosting)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round pans.
- Grate zucchini and drain well to remove excess moisture.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just combined.
- Fold in drained zucchini and chocolate chips; do not overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy.
- Frost the completely cooled cake layers and assemble as desired.
Notes
Substitute buttermilk with an equal amount of milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Use whole wheat flour for added nutrition or swap chocolate chips for nuts if preferred. Cake can be made a day ahead; store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. If cake is too dense, ensure zucchini is well-drained. For frosting, add more milk if too thick.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 39g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 59g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg