I originally posted this a few years ago and so many of you have emailed me letting me know how much you and your family enjoy it that I thought I would post it again. It's delicious - hands down one of our favorite cakes. It is great with frosting or without frosting and just a light sprinkling of powdered sugar.
This cake is chocolatey but not overly so. My husband, who isn't a huge fan of chocolate, LOVES this cake. It's so moist and delicious and even better, it's very easy to make!
This chocolate zucchini cake recipe is easily halved. All ingredients can be cut in half (for the eggs, use 1 large/extra-large egg or 2 small eggs) and the cake batter poured into an 8x8 inch pan. Start checking for doneness at 30 minutes.
**Update 6/20 - I have created a healthier version of this cake that is just as good and can be found here. **
If you do not want family/friends to know there is zucchini in this cake, peel it before you grate it. This way they will not see the bits of green or yellow (if using summer squash).
The batter is thick making a DELICIOUS and moist cake!
The BEST Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Cake:
2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 t. baking powder
2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
2 c. sugar
8 T. unsalted butter, at room temp.
1/2 c. oil (avocado, vegetable, canola, melted coconut, whichever oil you prefer)
3 large eggs, at room temp.
1/3 c. sour cream
3 c. grated zucchini
Optional Frosting:
2/3 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 T. canola oil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter and flour a 13 x 9" pan.
Stir together, in a med. size bowl, the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Using an electric mixer in a separate bowl, beat the butter, oil and sugar on high speed until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Gradually stir in the flour mixture, then the sour cream and zucchini. Blend just until combined. Spread evenly in prepared pan.
Bake until toothpick comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
For the frosting: when the cake is cooled, melt the chocolate chips and oil in a microwave safe dish, in the microwave, stirring often. Spread over the cooled cake.