Chocolate Zucchini Cake |Moist Chocolate Cake with Zucchini)
Chocolate lovers will love this Chocolate Zucchini Cake! This easy homemade cake is rich, moist, and packed with chocolate flavor while using fresh zucchini to create a soft, tender texture. Indulge in the rich, moist goodness of this Chocolate Zucchini Cake recipe! Made with fresh zucchini and cocoa, this decadent cake is perfectly fudgy while sneaking in a healthy twist. Topped with chopped walnuts or pecans and chocolate chips. It’s an easy dessert that’s perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or anytime chocolate cravings strike.
If you have a garden overflowing with zucchini during the summer months, this is the perfect recipe to make. The zucchini adds moisture to the cake without making it taste like vegetables. Instead, you get a delicious chocolate dessert that tastes like a bakery-style treat. If you do not have zucchini in your garden, this recipe is so good, go buy some zucchini at. your local farmer’s market or grocery store and try this cake today!
This cake is simple enough for a weeknight dessert but special enough to serve at family gatherings, potlucks, birthdays, or holidays. Add chopped nuts and chocolate chips for even more chocolate goodness, or enjoy it with a dusting of powdered sugar or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Whether you are looking for a new zucchini recipe, an easy chocolate dessert, or a way to use up extra garden zucchini, this Chocolate Zucchini Cake is one your family will ask for again and again.
Why You Will Love This Homemade Cake Recipe:
- Rich chocolate flavor-from the cocoa powder-homemade cake wins
- Uses fresh zucchini-from your garden, a farmer’s market or a grocery store-they are inexpensive
- Easy pantry ingredients-you probably have most of these ingredients in your kitchen right now
- Soft and moist texture-you will love the way zucchini makes this cake tender and moist
- Great for summer zucchini harvest-I am always looking for ways to use zucchini from our garden
- Perfect for sharing-this makes a 9 x 13 size cake
Welcome to our food recipe blog. You will find many helpful and delicious family recipes here. Here are some recipes to get your browsing started: Hasselback Bottoms, Copycat Cheesecake Factory Louisiana Chicken Pasta, Nutty Buddy Cupcakes, White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake, Traeger S’mores Brownies, Super Moist Bundt Cake, Buttery Boiled Corn on the Cob, Boneless Honey BBQ Wings-Buffalo Wild Wings Copycat, Toblerone Cookies, Scotchmallow Cookies, Oreo Cookie Dip, Rocky Road Brownies, Lemon Cookies, Southwest Chicken Tacos, Korean Beef, One Pan Beef Noodle Casserole, Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad, Cordon Bleu Puffs, Pineapple Salsa and White Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Cookies.
Kitchen Tool For This Recipe Plus Helpful Ingredients:
365 Whole Foods Organic Cocoa Powder
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I have to double grate the zucchini?
I suggest double grating the zucchini so you will not see it. You will need a Salad Shooter or Food Processor for this.
Do you peel zucchini before making chocolate zucchini cake?
No, you usually do not need to peel zucchini before making this cake. The peel is tender and adds nutrients and color. If you are using a very large garden zucchini with thick skin, you may want to peel it first. Also, if you are using a large zucchini, cut out the large seeds and any puffiness around the seeds.
Do you need to squeeze the water out of zucchini for zucchini cake?
Usually, no. The moisture from zucchini helps create a soft and tender cake. However, if your zucchini is extremely watery, lightly squeeze out some excess moisture before adding it to the batter. When grating your zucchini in a bowl or plate, do not include the juices that will accumulate at the bottom.
Can you taste the zucchini in chocolate zucchini cake?
No. Zucchini has a mild flavor that disappears into the chocolate cake. It adds moisture and texture rather than a vegetable taste. The mild flavor is why zucchini often tricks those picky eaters that want nothing green. As you can see from the photos, the green is barely visible.
Why is my chocolate zucchini cake dry?
Chocolate zucchini cake can become dry if it is overbaked or if too much flour is added. For the best texture, measure flour carefully and bake only until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Can I use frozen zucchini in chocolate zucchini cake?
Yes. Frozen zucchini works. Thaw it completely and drain excess liquid before adding it to the batter. Frozen zucchini may release more water than fresh zucchini, so adjust as needed.
Can I make chocolate zucchini cake without chocolate chips and nuts?
Yes. Chocolate chips are optional. The cake will still have plenty of chocolate flavor from the cocoa powder. Personally, they add a lot of flavor-I love the melty chocolate chips when warm.
Can chocolate zucchini cake be frozen?
Yes. Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. It is a great idea to freeze individual pieces and remove just what you want, leaving the rest frozen.
How do I keep chocolate zucchini cake moist?
Store it tightly covered at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Adding zucchini and buttermilk helps keep this cake naturally moist, but proper storage prevents it from drying out.
Cook’s Notes:
Tips for the Best Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Use fresh zucchini
Fresh garden zucchini works beautifully, but store-bought zucchini works too.
Do not over mix the batter
Mix just until ingredients are combined. Over mixing can make the cake too dense.
Measure the flour correctly
Too much flour is one of the most common reasons cakes become dry.
Let the cake cool before cutting
Allowing it to cool helps the texture set and makes cleaner slices. However, after letting the cake rest a little, you need to try this cake warm. the melty chocolate chips and the warm tender cake are perfect!
Ingredients Needed For Chocolate Zucchini Cake:
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder, packed into the measuring cup-not lightly spooned in
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups zucchini double grated-see note below in the instructions
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
Instructions For Chocolate Zucchini Cake:
- In a mixing bowl, combine butter, oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla and buttermilk until well blended. Use an electric mixer or a stand mixer.
- Add flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Mix just until moistened.
- Add the double grated zucchini and fold in with a rubber spatula. Mix it in so you do not have clumps of zucchini together.
- Pour batter into a greased 9 X 13 baking dish. Smooth the batter out.
- Top with chopped nuts and chocolate chips.
- Bake in a 325° oven for 40 minutes-until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipping cream. Enjoy this delicious, moist, chocolate cake.
- NOTE: I use a Salad Shooter to grate my zucchini. I press the zucchini pieces (cut out the seeds) through the Salad Shooter with the grater attachment. Then, I take the grated zucchini and press it back through the Salad Shooter a second time.
Variations:
Chocolate Zucchini Cake with Frosting
Top with:
- Chocolate buttercream
- Cream cheese frosting
- Chocolate ganache
Triple Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Add a drizzle of chocolate ganache or hot fudge over the top. Try our easy ganache in this cookie recipe-Ganache or our Hot Fudge recipe.
Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes
Bake batter in lined muffin tins and reduce baking time.
Healthier Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Try:
- Reducing sugar slightly
- Using whole wheat flour for part of the flour
- Adding more nuts and fewer chocolate chips
Storage & Reheating:
How to Store:
Store covered at room temperature for 2–3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Freezing Instructions:
Freeze individual slices wrapped tightly for easy desserts later.
Other Chocolate Recipes You Will Love: 💕
Peppermint Hot Cocoa Brownie Cookies
Double Chocolate Muffins-Costco Copycat
A Cake For Generations: To our family, this is an old fashioned cake. It has been made for our family for generations. Grandma made this cake and so does Mom. Now, we do too. You know it is a keeper when it is still being made after that many years. Try this delicious cake-we think you will love it as much as we do.
Other Garden Zucchini Recipes:
Zucchini Carrot Bread-easy zucchini bread recipe
Lemon Zucchini Bread-zucchini bread with a lemon twist
Zucchini Vegetable Casserole-a casserole with multiple veggies that our kids and now grandkids will eat
Zucchini Tomato Orzo Soup-easy soup recipe using garden zucchini
See More Zucchini Recipes! 😊
Chocolate Zucchini Cake
A simple and delicious homemade cake recipe made with zucchini, cocoa and more.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter room temperature
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder packed into the measuring cup-not lightly spooned in
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups zucchini double grated-see note
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans chopped
Instructions
-
In a mixing bowl, combine butter, oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla and buttermilk until well blended. Use an electric mixer or a stand mixer.
-
Add flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Mix just until moistened.
-
Add the double grated zucchini and fold in with a rubber spatula. Mix it in so you do not have clumps of zucchini together.
-
Pour batter into a greased 9 X 13 baking dish. Smooth the batter out.
-
Top with chopped nuts and chocolate chips.
-
Bake in a 325° oven for 40 minutes-until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
-
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipping cream. Enjoy this delicious, moist, chocolate cake.
-
NOTE: I use a Salad Shooter to grate my zucchini. I press the zucchini pieces (cut out the seeds) through the Salad Shooter with the grater attachment. Then, I take the grated zucchini and press it back through the Salad Shooter a second time.
Love to hear from you, leave a comment and rate this recipe ❤️
We would love to hear from you about: what you liked about this recipe, changes you made and if they were good or not so good, other ideas to go along with this recipe, and other recipe ideas you would like to see from us-Sweeter With Sugar. We love to see your comments and always try our best to make delicious recipes. We know, even in our own family, peoples tastes differ widely. We hope you find this recipe delicious and are excited to try some more of our recipes.
We can’t claim to please all people all the time, but we wish we could. It is definitely difficult feeding many people-cutting out things like onion, or dairy for those lactose intolerant, wheat for some people cutting out wheat or soy. Meals can be trying. Who knew when I became an adult, it would be my job for the rest of my life to plan for all of the meals, shop for all of the meals, prep and cook all the meals, and make things that fit into everyones wants. We are nearing 1,000 recipes on this blog and have worked hard to get you recipes in hopes that we make your meal planning, party planning etc more enjoyable, easier and delicious!
Disclaimer:
All of the thoughts and opinions here, on our family food and recipe blog, are our own. The affiliate links (if you click on one or more) here pay us a tiny commission that will not cost you anything. The commissions help us run this web-site. We appreciate your support! Thank you so much!
We all want to thank you for visiting and trying recipes from our family recipe blog. Your support is very much appreciated. All of us are hoping that all of you are staying healthy, strong and happy. Have a fantastic day and an even better week. Have fun cooking and remember to get the kids involved where it is safe to do so. They may love it and it is a great activity for quality family time. Family and friends are the best!
