Chocolate Zucchini Cake (Orange Zest & Cream Cheese Frosting)

chocolate zucchini cake with cream cheese frosting and orange zest

Chocolate Zucchini Cake (Orange Zest & Cream Cheese Frosting)

This chocolate zucchini cake is rich, moist, and full of cocoa flavor with no trace of veggies. A touch of orange zest adds something special, and the cream cheese frosting ties it all together. Bakes beautifully as a layer cake or in a 9x13 pan.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword best chocolate zucchini cake recipe, Chocolate Zucchini Cake, chocolate zucchini cake orange zest, chocolate zucchini cake with cream cheese frosting, easy chocolate zucchini cake, moist chocolate zucchini cake, zucchini chocolate cake

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 35

Cooling + Frosting: 1

Total Time 2

Servings slices

Calories 530kcal

Author Cathy Pollak

Equipment

measuring cups and spoons For accuracy.
mixing bowls For dry and wet ingredients.
2 baking pans 8" (round) (20 cm) For baking the layered version.
Stand Mixer or hand mixer. To combine ingredients.
box grater or food processor. To shred the zucchini.

Ingredients

Cake:

2½ cups (313 g) all-purpose flour
½ cup (43 g) unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
2½ tsps (10 g) baking powder
1½ tsps (7 g) baking soda
1 tsp (6 g) table salt
1 tsp (2.6 g) ground cinnamon
¾ cup (170 g) butter softened
1½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
3 large (150 g) eggs room temperature
2 tsps (10 ml) vanilla extract
zest of one orange
½ cup (120 ml) whole milk room temperature
2 cups (~ 260 g) shredded or grated zucchini
1 cup (120 g) chopped walnuts

Frosting:

2 (8 oz packages - 454 g) cream cheese room temperature
½ cup (113 g) butter softened
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
2 cups (240 g) confectioners' sugar sifted

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pans and set them aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sifted cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
2½ cups (313 g) all-purpose flour, ½ cup (43 g) unsweetened cocoa powder, 2½ tsps (10 g) baking powder, 1½ tsps (7 g) baking soda, 1 tsp (6 g) table salt, 1 tsp (2.6 g) ground cinnamon
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
¾ cup (170 g) butter, 1½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and orange zest.
3 large (150 g) eggs , 2 tsps (10 ml) vanilla extract, zest of one orange
Add the dry ingredients in thirds, alternating with the milk—beginning and ending with the dry. Mix on low speed just until combined.
½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
Fold in the shredded zucchini and chopped walnuts using a spatula.
2 cups (~ 260 g) shredded or grated zucchini , 1 cup (120 g) chopped walnuts
Divide the batter evenly between the pans and bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool the cakes in the pans for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, softened butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
2 (8 oz packages - 454 g) cream cheese, ½ cup (113 g) butter, 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
Add the sifted confectioners’ sugar and continue mixing on low speed until fully combined and creamy.
2 cups (240 g) confectioners' sugar
Frost the cooled cakes and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Video

Notes

For a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) version of this cake, increase the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 26–30 minutes, checking with a toothpick for doneness.
No need to peel or squeeze the zucchini—use it as is.
Cake layers can be made ahead and frozen, then thawed and frosted later.

For optimal outcomes when making this chocolate zucchini cake, I recommend referring to the details within the post. The recipe post commonly includes valuable notes, expert tips and frequently asked questions, that are not presented in the recipe card, often including how to make this recipe dairy-free, gluten free or vegan and ideas for healthy ingredient substitutions or variations.

The provided nutrition information is merely an approximation, as variations can arise depending on the specific ingredients/brands you select.

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Nutrition