This zucchini chocolate layer cake hides the summer squash in plain sight! This seasonal veggie, along with the yogourt and oil, give the cake its tender crumb, yet I promise you won’t be able to taste it. The subtle notes of cinnamon and nutmeg blend well with the chocolate flavour. The fragrant spices make their presence known, and complement the tangy goat cheese and cream cheese icing. To intensify the rich chocolate taste, the cake is covered in a glossy and luscious chocolate icing. This recipe is a personal favourite come August and September. I hope you enjoy it too!
This recipe makes just over 4 cups of icing. I used 2 cups as the filling between the layers of cake. You can use the rest to cover the cake if you want to forgo the chocolate icing. I love the tangy and quirky taste of the goat cheese with the zucchini chocolate cake. I think this icing tastes great cold, straight from the fridge. It is lovely and creamy at room temperature as well.
You will notice the chocolate icing never quite hardens. It remains silky smooth, and so glossy. This recipe requires patience, though. You don’t want it to be runny, you must wait for it to reach a spreadable consistency. Instead of going for a perfectly smooth finish, I used the offset spatula to give the cake a rustic look.
This summer squash, also known as courgette, is in season in August and September. This cake requires about 2 and a half fresh zucchini. Just chop off both ends and use a grater to shred the zucchini.
This recipe is one of my coups de coeur! I love the tenderness of cakes with veggies as star ingredients. They pair so well with fragrant spices and cream cheese icing. For another great veggie cake, check out my carrot cake.
All-purpose flour
Cocoa powder
Baking soda
Baking powder
Ground cinnamon
Ground nutmeg
Salt
Vegetable oil
Granulated sugar
Dark brown sugar
Large eggs
Plain yogourt
Pure vanilla extract
zucchini
Goat cheese
Cream cheese
Icing sugar
Pure vanilla extract
Unsalted butter
Dark brown sugar
Unsalted butter
Semi-sweet chocolate
Water
Kitchen scale
Oven thermometer
2 8-inch round cake pans
Cooking spray
Parchment paper
Bowls
Stand-mixer fitted with the paddle attachment
Whisk
Spatula
Teaspoons and tablespoons
Measuring cup
Small offset spatula
Large offset spatula
Small saucepan
Toothpick
Wire rack
Large serrated knife
Grater
Bon appétit!
xo
Ariane
This zucchini chocolate cake hides the summer squash in plain sight! This veggie gives the cake its tender crumb, yet you won’t be able to taste it. The fragrant spices are subtle, the cream cheese icing is tangy, and the chocolate icing so glossy.
Cake:
Cream Cheese Icing:
Chocolate Icing:
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