Saturday, August 13, 2011

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

My mother started making chocolate zucchini cake when I was a child back in the 80's.  It is a very moist and delicious cake, and a great way to use the over-sized zucchini that tend to appear out of nowhere like magic this time of year.  I make it every Summer.  It has become a hit with both the family and the friends.  Today I made one at the request of my dear friend who is preparing to leave our lovely hilltop for the Azores off the coast of Portugal.   She supplied me with the zucchini (mine never did decide to pick up production), so how could I resist.   I decided to post the recipe.  I have made changes to the recipe several times of the years, and in my humble opinion it is better than ever!


Preheat Oven to 350 F.
Grease and flour pan 9x13 or 2 8inch rounds.
Cream together:
1/2 Cup butter
1 8oz. package of cream cheese
2 Cups of sugar
Then add:
1/2 Cup milk
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 Cups of shredded or otherwise pulverized zucchini
Mix in:
2 1/2 Cups flour (I use half whole wheat and half white, but any combo will work)
1 Cup coco powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 Cup chocolate chips
Bake for 30 to 50 minutes


Today's Bundt Cake Pan Variation: 
increase sugar by 1/2 Cup
increase flour by 1/2 Cup
increase coco powder by 1/4 Cup
increase baking time to 70 minutes

Today's cake was topped with melted chocolate mixed with a splash of milk, and the nasturtiums were added for color.

The cake was good, really good, but like everything in life, better shared with friends.

9 comments:

  1. Oh man, now I'm really homesick!!

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  2. Don't be so humble. I had a taste of that cake -- absolutely divine. I had no idea of the zucchini. None. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
    D

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  3. After the year I told Fabio it had zucchini in it and he decided he didn't like it, I don't flaunt the zucchini part until after the cake has been eaten. The years before and since Fabio has always liked the cake ;o)

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  4. Every time I make this cake I think about Bill Cosby's bit about feeding his kids chocolate cake for breakfast ...eggs, flour, milk...you add zucchini to that, and you could probably justify eating chocolate cake for any meal!

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  5. That was a good skit about the chocolate cake.

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  6. It was and is always so good. It's always Lilla's bday cake, and that was no exception this year. Since I didn't trust the oven in temp. housing, I cooked it over a new acquaintance's home. Turned out wonderful. I was missing the usual companionship that goes with eating this delicious cake however.

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  7. Glad you are sharing the cake with new friends! Give Lilla big hug for me.

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