"sneaky" Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes Kids Love

Mommy Diva's Note:

These little gems look like a bite of chocolate heaven - even to ME!! I KNOW they will satisfy my little guy - who is on an anti-veggie kick at the moment. Makes me think of the decadent chocolate frosted cake from school daze that had beets in it - every kid's nightmare. Couldn't believe it when I saw the recipe as a kid. Oh, well. Get 'em in there any way you can Mommy....until they get over the YUCK phase. THIS TOO SHALL PASS! And with these cupcakes, it looks like our secret is safe!!

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 21 cupcakes

• 1 1/4 cups butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup baking cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1 cup zucchini, finely grated
• 1 cup carrot, finely grated
• 16 ounces chocolate frosting (I like Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge)

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; stir in vanilla.
3. Combine the flour, baking cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add tot he creamed mixture alternately with the yogurt, beating well after each addition.
4. FOld in zucchini and carrots.
5. Fill paper-lined muffin cups 2/3 full.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 - 22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely; once cool frost cupcales and enjoy!

Reviews

[Chef on the coast]

I opted to make these in a 9x13 pan. I followed your recipe except for the zucchini part. lol I already had bagged my shredded zucchini in 2 cup portions - so just threw the whole bag in. It didn't seem to affect the outcome as the boys inhaled these. I also omitted the frosting and served these more as a brownie. Very moist and yummy! Thanks for sharing. Made for the Aussie/NZ November 2009 recipe swap.

[AZPARZYCH]

Made these into cupcakes and then frosted to look like a football for the Superbowl. Everyone loved them and had no idea they were hiding veggies!! Will have to make these again since my DSs inhaled them and they do not like zucchini!! Made for Cook-a-Thon for Mommy Diva.

[Chef #627643]

this recipe was a HIT at a suprise birthday party last week. Thank you! I noticed, though that directions number three indicates baking powder, but baking powder was not in the ingredients list, so I just added 1 tsp of baking powder and upped the baking soda to 2 tsps. Also instead of carrot, I added two cups of zucchini. I also made it in a stoneware bundt pan. It took a little longer cooking time, but came out amazing! Then I just sprinkled the top with some powdered sugar. Everyone was surprised it had zucchini in it!