Zucchini Pistachio Cupcakes – an irresistible spiced dessert with a zingy lime icing and topped with crunchy pistachios. You’ll actually forget you’re eating your veggies too.
There are so many fun things to make with zucchini, due mostly to its versatility and ability to add moisture to lots of baked goods. Think chocolate zucchini cake, zucchini-marinara dogs or zucchini on pizza for some out of the box ideas. And there’s nothing like a sweet loaf of zucchini honey bread for dessert.
Zucchini Pistachio Cupcakes Recipe
Zucchini is a great addition to baking. It adds a wonderful texture and a boost of nutrition. Zucchini is similar to using bananas or applesauce to help improve moisture.
These cupcakes are sweet and extremely tender. The frosting has lime zest and juice, lending a little zing and unique flavor to every bite.
I promise you’re going love these zucchini cupcakes. Wait till you see how easy they are to make, there is no mixer required! And the crunchy pistachios on top are everything!
Ingredients for Zucchini Pistachio Cupcakes
Full recipe and instructions can be found at the bottom of the page.
Pantry Ingredients
- Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Classic yellow cake mix – you can use other brands, I just prefer this one when using a mix
- ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, black pepper and ground cloves – the perfect quad of warming spices, make sure they’re fresh
- vegetable oil – you can use canola oil too
- confectioners’ sugar also known as icing sugar
- pistachio nuts
Fresh Ingredients
- eggs – must be size large
- zucchini – make sure it’s not mushy when you press on the outside
- fresh lime juice and zest – make sure to zest the lime before juicing it
How To Make Zucchini Cupcakes
Step one: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pans with baking liners.
Step two: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, cinnamon, cardamom, pepper and cloves. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, vegetable oil and milk. Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until smooth, stir in the zucchini.
Step three: Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pans. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, 20-24 minutes. Let cool.
Step four: Sift the powdered sugar into a medium bowl. Whisk in the lime zest and juice and add 1 Tablespoon of water. If the icing is too thick add more water in one teaspoon increments. If the icing is too thin just add more sugar. Cover each cupcake with the glaze and sprinkle with the pistachios.
Do You Peel Zucchini for Cupcakes?
No.
The outer surface of a zucchini is dark green and very tender. This is a great way to use the whole vegetable.
Cut off the ends and grate the entire vegetable using a cheese grater.
What Can I Substitute For Zucchini?
There are many substitutes for zucchini. These include yellow squash, eggplant, and other vegetables. Their taste and texture is similar to zucchini.
I have not tried these as substitutes, but they might work.
This recipe is a great way to help use up a bumper crop of zucchini. The kids will absolutely love to have one of these in their lunchboxes.
Other Zucchini Recipes You Might Enjoy:
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Zucchini Pistachio Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- 1 box Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Classic yellow cake mix
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 large (10 oz) zucchini, shredded
Icing:
- 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
- zest and juice of one lime
- 1/2 cup roasted, salted pistachio nuts, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pans with baking liners.
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, cinnamon, cardamom, pepper and cloves. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, vegetable oil and milk. Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until smooth, stir in the zucchini.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pans. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, 20-24 minutes. Let cool.
- Sift the powdered sugar into a medium bowl. Whisk in the lime zest and juice and add 1 Tablespoon of water. If the icing is too thick add more water in one teaspoon increments. If the icing is too thin just add more sugar. Cover each cupcake with the glaze and sprinkle with the pistachios.
Nutrition
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Monkee says
Mr. G has been talking about zucchini cakes for a long time now and I was thought: Eeeewww! Well, I guess there is such a thing as zucchini dessert heaven.
Thanks for proving me wrong (Psst: pls don’t tell Mr. G he’s right).
Stephanie says
I think this is the one way my dad would eat zucchini! Love zucchini, any which way I can get it. So does my hubby, and, thankfully, my mini-hooligans. This is a recipe my grandma would have loved, and most likely used. She would send me care packages when I was away at college and always put a loaf of zucchini bread in it.
threeundertwo says
Yum! I have to try this. One of my favorite recipes is for chocolate zucchini bread.
Asthmagirl says
After years of being victimized by the requisite zucchini bread at every potluck and family occasion (what else are you going to do with all of them?) these are a breath of fresh air!
Thank you, Cathy! They look awesome.
RecipeGirl says
Did you peel your zucchini? I didn’t see any dark green bits. These look pretty darn good, I must say (even at 6:38 in the AM)
I made some zucchini – choc. chip muffins last weekend.
Jody says
These look fantastic…I love a spin on the new fave dessert these days…
thanks for the inspiration!
jody
Jennifer says
These sound awesome! Great summer time cupcake. I might have to make these for our 4th of July party!
Fran says
Oh my goodness! My family loves zucchini bread so I know they would love this. You and your blog are just inspiring me to cook! My family thanks you!
Fran
jancd says
I’ll have to pass the recipe on to my friend. She is a zucchini bread nut. I think she needs another recipe. I’m going to try it, too. I have everything I need except the nuts.
I love your blog. It’s a must read every day. I think you have a book in that head of yours.
Jan
Harmony says
Those look great…I wonder if I can sneak them buy my sons suspecting eye?! If not I’ll make him eat it anyway!
Coast Rat says
God! You are so good!!! I’m giving this to my neighbor who has a zucchini patch about 150′ from my trailer. Thank you!
claudia (cook eat FRET) says
man – those look and sound WONDERFUL – zucchini, lime, pistachio’s… and those spices…. beautiful. a cupcake to be proud of…
Bellini Valli says
At least another month before zucchini season. I am still trying to find zucchini blossoms:D
Lennie says
I’m all-in here; sounds yummy. I have an old family recipe I make when z. is in season, a quickbread with pineapple in it, but these look just as yummy and less work as well. I wonder, would shredded carrot work in place of the z too? Hmmm…….
Michelle in KY says
Ohhh I love zucchini!!!!! Fried, baked, however…I have a love for it!
Bridgett says
I love zucchini just about any way. I love the little flecks of zest in the icing as it makes it look so festive. Plus I have a thing for citrus icing đŸ™‚
Marcy says
Oh wow those look like yummy goodness. I LOVE zuchinni bread, and those muffins look like something I just might have to make, substituting splenda for any sugar…
Thanks for sharing that recipe
leslie says
NICE!! Maybe my kids would eat them and not know they are getting a green veggie!!!
Wait for those ripe bananas..you wont be disappointed my my Banana Bread!!1
Kevin says
Those zucchini cupcakes look great! I really like the sound of eh lime and pistachio topping!
KathyLikesPink says
Yum, I love lime too – this looks like the best of both worlds!
A plentiful zucchini harvest always reminds me of something I once heard…the only time you lock your car doors in a small town is during zucchini season, when everybody and their brother is trying to give away their extras.
karen deborah says
I have never seen black peper in a dessert, my curiosity is piqued!
Daisy says
YOU ARE AMAZING!!!
I adore zukes and have gotten tired of my overused recipes. I can’t wait to try this! I just don’t keep cake mix in the house so I’ll have to get one of those…
HoneyB says
These look delicious! I love the topping! The hooligan is pretty handsome!
jules says
Looks great…I love hiding good stuff where they least expect it!
Lori says
Love the combination of ingredients in this recipe Cathy!
Syrie says
I’ve been hearing about zucchini in baking for a while now but I’m still to try it. Your cupcakes look and sound fantastic. I love the picture with the lime zest in the icing too.
Stacy says
You know, I’ve always wondered about zucchini bread/cupcakes. I’m not the hugest zucchini fan in the world, but I’ve never tried it in a baked good and I’m curious. Might have to try this. I love the pistachios and the boxed cake mix!
pam says
My daughter hates zuchinni, so I love finding ways to use them and making her admit she likes it!
Shankari says
Wow! I fell in love with your blog. This is my first time here đŸ™‚ I have never had cakes with zucchini and this looks delish!
Pookandhouse says
Wow, Cathy…what a brilliant baking idea and recipe ! If your kitchen is happen to be around the corner of my house, I will sneak through the window to grab one too….like a sneaky cat.
I never thought of the combination Zucchini, pistachio and cupcake.
You have to bake this and sell at your future vineyard…
Flea says
Oooo! I can really use this one! Thank you!!!
My Sweet & Saucy says
I love these! Zucchini and pistachio…how could you go wrong!
Pam says
Those look terrific! What a great combination of flavors.
Christie @ fig&cherry says
zucchini, pistachio and lime – excellent combination!! Good on you for making green vegies totally lick-able! đŸ™‚
grace says
zucchini is a wonderful secret weapon for making moist cupcakes and bread. it’s a pain in my rear end to shred, but totally worth it in the end. if i lived in your house, i’d pilfer much more than just a bite–at least half of the batch would mysteriously disappear… đŸ™‚
Jennifer says
I’m about to make these for Father’s Day! I’m looking forward to them!!
Tipper says
I have some growing in the garden-can’t wait to try this!
Cass says
These look SO delicious – I need to put them on the list of things to make in the next two weeks while I’m still eating things with huge amounts of icing. Yummm
sandi @ the whistlestop cafe says
Whoo~hoo!
I love it when I find a great recipe. This is a keeper!
Now I just need to put some miracle grow on my zucchini.
Wine Tasting Guy says
Looks great. I have a box of Dunkin Hines Moist Deluxe Chocolate around that I may try substituting for the Yellow. If I do get around to it I’ll let you know how it comes out!
Deborah says
I LOVE zucchini bread, so why not in cupcakes!! They look sooo delicious! (Now I wish I would have planted zucchini this year…)
Kristy - Where's My Damn Answer says
These look fabulous. I’m made zucchini bread in the past – can’t wait to try the cupcakes. Yummmmmmmmmmm !!
Elle says
I want these now! And I’m all over that lime frosting.
Bobby says
mmm, noble pig these look fantastic. I love zucchini bread so I would image this is very similar. Great photos!
Chuck says
Cathy your right, great minds do think a like đŸ˜‰
Those cupcakes look delicious and I love pistachios. The lime zest in the icing looks stunning! Very Nice!
We Are Never Full says
gotta give it to you on this one – WHOA! looks delicious. i absolutely love pistachios!
Sandie (Inn Cuisine) says
Holy cripes these look delicious! Is it true? Can there finally be a healthy cupcake? I’d pinch myself but I’m afraid I’d wake up!
kimberleyblue says
great combo of flavours in there! i love the lime and pistachios!
hanah says
these are so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fran G says
Absolutely delicious! We love pistachios and these were a big hit!
wilhelmina says
These cupcakes are great! I love that they start with a simple box mix, but you would never guess that while eating the finished product!
Toni says
These are really amazing cupcakes!! My kids enjoyed and they can’t wait for me to make it again!