Chocolate Zucchini Cake

gnet's Note:

This recipe came from my high school friend's mother. It is so moist and delicious! My husband didn't want to have at first because of the zucchini, but he couldn't even tell it was in there! For a more healthy route, my sister-in-law does this: omit the butter, ¼ cup vegetable oil, and 3-3½ cups zucchini. Lastly, instead of buttermilk, you may use ½ cup milk+ ½ Tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice- let mixture stand at least 5 minutes.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 2 ¼ cups sifted all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 ¾ cups sugar
• ½ cup butter , at room temperature
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 2 cups grated unpeeled zucchini
• 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ¾ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Butter & flour a 9x13 pan.
3. Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, & salt into a medium size bowl.
4. Beat sugar, butter, & oil with dry ingredients until well blended.
5. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
6. Beat in vanilla.
7. Mix in dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk in 3 additions each.
8. Stir in grated zucchini.
9. Pour batter into prepared pan.
10. Sprinkle chocolate chips & nuts (optional) over top.
11. Bake about 50 minutes, testing with toothpick.
12. Cool cake in pan.

Reviews

[Chef #832183]

This is now a family favorite! No one believes there is zuchini in this cake! Wonderful recipe, you won't be disappointed.

[Charlotte J]

Update: No wonder I liked this cake, it is very similar to mine, Zucchini Chocolate Cake This recipe has 1/4 cup more cocoa powder and 1/4 cup less flour then mine .....Sept 9, 09,This is a very easy cake to make which turned out very moist and tender. I reduce the sugar and only used 1 1/4 cups and left out the nuts. After 40 minutes of baking, I tested the cake with a toothpick and it was done. Made for *New Kids On The Block 2009* game