Chocolate Frosted Zucchini Brownies

Submitted by zoe85

"Delicious and moist, these zucchini brownies will send you reeling with pleasure"

 

• Ready In: 45mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Serves: 24

ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1⁄2 cups brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1⁄2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 1⁄2 cup chopped walnuts
• 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1⁄4 cup margarine
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1⁄4 cup milk
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, baking soda and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Fold in the zucchini and walnuts. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until brownies spring back when gently touched. To make the frosting, melt together the 6 tablespoons of cocoa and margarine; set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, blend together the confectioners' sugar, milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in the cocoa mixture. Spread over cooled brownies before cutting into squares.

Reviews

[LonghornMama]

Made as directed and knew the batter was way too dry to the point of being crumbles but pressed it into the pan anyway. Baked, the brownies were not cohesive (fell into pieces) so would suggest adding two eggs. That said, the flavor was fantastic and the frosting is to die for. We ate the entire pan with no complaints. Used Penzey's natural process cocoa which makes everything more chocolatey delicious. A great use for zucchini and the kids didn't suspect a thing. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Melodie in Hastings]

I couldn't believe this recipe didn't call for Eggs. I made it just as posted and have had rave reviews from family members. This one is a keeper. Rich, moist and super easy to make.

 

[Lucky in Bayview]

These didn't turn out well at all for me. They never firmed up. Not sure what happened. I really liked the icing though and it was a fun recipe to try.

 

[Lynn in MA]

Fudgy and delicious! I made only minor changes/additions: First of all, I made the zucchini finer in the food processor after shredding it with a cheese grater; I added 3 Tbs. strong brewed coffee (cooled) and a good squeeze of Hershey's chocolate syrup to the batter; and finally, I made 1 1/2 x the frosting recipe, which turned out to be just perfect for the 13 x 9 pan of brownies. I also added a couple of tablespoons of the coffee to the frosting mixture as well. This, I feel, really intensified the chocolate flavor.

 

[AnnGe]

Best brownies I ever made. I too noticed no eggs, so chose to read reviews. Thank you. I used a stand mixer. Too overcome the dryness factor, I beat the zucchini in so the breakdown of the zucchini would add moisture. Worked very well, although it may overwork some mixers. Next time I will try making these in a food processor. As for the frosting, I didn't have milk on hand so I substituted sour cream and since I love cream cheese frosting I added 4 oz. of cream cheese. This made a nice consistency. I frosted the brownies while slightly warm. When fully cooled frosting was set perfectly.