Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

2hot2handle's Note:

This recipe comes from the Penzeys Spices catalog. Great for school-day breakfasts or lunches. I substitute 1/2 cup of the flour for whole wheat pastry flour for an extra health kick. It doesn't change the flavor at all.

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 24 muffins

• ½ cup milk
• ¼ teaspoon white vinegar
• ½ cup butter , room temperature (1 stick)
• ½ cup vegetable oil (I use grapeseed oil for an added health bonus)
• 1 ¾ cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups zucchini , peeled and finely grated (about 3 small zukes)
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• ¼ cup chopped pecans (optional) or ¼ cup walnuts (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325. Line 2 standard muffin pans with muffin papers.
2. Mix together the milk and vinegar and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat together the butter, oil and sugar until creamy. Add eggs, vanilla extract and milk/vinegar mix. Blend well.
4. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add to the butter mixture and stir by hand to combine.
5. Add grated zucchini and half the chocolate chips and stir well.
6. Spoon the batter evenly into the pans, filling each cup 2/3 full. Sprinkle the other half of the chocolate chips and nuts (if using) on top and bake for about 20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or the muffins spring back when lightly touched.

Reviews

[Off Road Mom]

I echo what Perfectionist says. My kids loved this recipe. I event sent a batch on a Boy Scout hike and all the boys (dads too) loved them. Thanks for posting this recipe!

[Perfectionist cook]

An excellent muffin! It's quite rich and chocolatety and the zucchini just gives it some extra moisture rather than affecting the flavour. I didn't bother peeling the zucchini but just grated it finely and then squeezed out the juice as it was a bit watery. I also added the wholemeal flour to make it a bit healthier and I would agree that you really can't tell it's there. My kids loved these muffins. Thanks 2hot2handle!