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Chocolate Zucchini Cake

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This Chocolate Zucchini Cake is bound to be a new favorite for chocolate lovers! Fabulously moist, decadently rich, and impossible to resist! The perfect way to enjoy the summer bounty!

Looking for more zucchini recipes? Make sure to try my Zucchini Quiche and Zucchini Fries!

whole chocolate zucchini bundt cake on wood cake stand with rich chocolate glaze on top of cake.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

If you love chocolate cake, this Chocolate Zucchini Cake is most definitely for you. It’s rich, decadent, moist and surprise, there’s zucchini inside!

Three different chocolate elements assure a deep chocolate flavor in this amazing chocolate zucchini bundt cake.

We’ve been enjoying baking up all kinds of zucchini recipes but, if you’re a chocolate lover like me though, this Chocolate Zucchini Cake is the recipe for you.

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Reader Review

“I made this cake yesterday and OMG is it delicious. Everyone loved it. My 6 and 3 year old devoured the cake. My husband and co-workers couldn’t believe it had zucchini in it. Absolutely delish. And easy…so easy to make. Thank you for this recipe.” – Tracy

chocolate zucchini cake made in a bundt pan on wood cake stand with zucchinis in the background.

Zucchini Recipes

There is nothing I look forward to more in the summer than making up all kinds of amazing zucchini recipes with zucchinis from our garden. Here are some of our favorites:

  1. Zucchini Spice Cake
  2. Amazing Zucchini Brownies
  3. Zucchini Carrot Oatmeal Cookies
  4. Lemon Zucchini Cake
  5. Zucchini Quiche with Bacon and Hash Brown Crust
  6. Chocolate Chip Zucchini Banana Bread
slice of chocolate zucchini cake on white plate.

Rich Chocolate Flavor

The rich, chocolate flavor comes from the cocoa powder and mini chocolate chips inside the cake and an incredibly delicious chocolate glaze that is drizzled on top.

To really enhance the chocolate flavor, I’ve added a bunch of mini chocolate chips to the mix which creates little pockets of rich chocolate flavor that just melt in your mouth with each bite. Delicious!

The glaze is super simple and while not entirely necessary on this cake, looks gorgeous and adds a bit of sweetness.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake Recipe

There is just something wonderful about a homemade chocolate cake with hidden veggies. I have served this recipe to so many people who have doubted that there was even zucchini in the cake – it’s just that good!

Chocolate Zucchini Cake Ingredients

Let’s take a quick look at what you’ll need and, as always, you can find the full, printable recipe at the end of this post:

For the cake:

  • zucchinis – it’s not a zucchini cake without the zucchini! This ingredient adds so much moisture to this chocolate cake.
  • unsweetened cocoa powder – gives the cake rich chocolate flavor.
  • butter – for flavor
  • eggs – room temperature eggs work best.
  • granulated sugar – this recipe calls for 2 cups but you can reduce to 1 1/2 cups without any issues.
  • unsweetened applesauce – I use this in place of vegetable oil just like I do in my carrot cake recipe.
  • vanilla extract – a must for flavor! I use a good amount in this recipe.
  • all purpose flour – the structure and base of this cake recipe.
  • baking soda – our leavener.
  • salt – to enhance the flavor of the other ingredients.
  • ground cinnamon – this is completely optional but I do love it in this recipe.
  • semi-sweet mini chocolate chips – use mini chocolate chips for the best results. They melt into the cake better.

For the chocolate glaze:

  • semi sweet chocolate chips – you can use bar chocolate instead if you prefer. Just chop finely before melting.
  • butter – gives the glaze richness and a lovely texture.
  • light corn syrup – makes the glaze so shiny.
  • vanilla extract – for flavor and depth.
beautiful shiny chocolate glaze on top of a bundt cake.

How To Make Chocolate Zucchini Cake

I just love how simple this cake is – super easy to prepare when you don’t have a lot of time. Here is a quick overview of how to make this easy cake:

  1. Preheat oven and prepare bundt pan.
  2. Prep zucchini. Grate zucchinis and let sit on paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Blot dry with a towel.
  3. Combine wet ingredients.
  4. Whisk together dry ingredients.
  5. Stir dry into wet just until combined.
  6. Stir in zucchini and chocolate chips.
  7. Bake. Takes about 60 to 70 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
  8. Prepare chocolate glaze. Prepare the glaze when the cake has cooled.
  9. Glaze cake and serve.

I’m a sucker for a good bundt pan and I really love how this glaze looks on a bundt cake.

Variations To Try

  • Make cupcakes instead. I love parchment cups for this recipe to ensure the cupcakes don’t stick to the wrappers. You’ll need to bake for about 20 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  • Make in loaf pans. This cake is delicious in 2 loaf pans as well and just as easy so if you don’t have a bundt cake, this is a great option.
  • Layered Cake. This cake can be made as a layered cake using two 8 inch or 9 inch pans. This Whipped Ganache frosting would be amazing on this cake.
  • Add some nuts. Pecans and walnuts are a delicious addition.
  • Omit the glaze. The glaze adds an additional layer of chocolate decadence but if it’s too much for you, just serve with some fresh whipped cream on the side and a sprinkle of cocoa powder.

Make Ahead and Storage

Can this cake be made ahead of time? Yes. This cake can be made a day or two in advance. I recommend making the glaze the day you plan on serving.

Can you freeze chocolate zucchini cake? Yes. Let cake cool completely and then wrap individual slices or whole cake in plastic wrap and then foil. Transfer to a freezer safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. I recommend freezing the cake without the glaze.

slice of cake with a couple bites taken sitting on a white small plate.

More Cake Recipes To Enjoy

  1. Chocolate Pound Cake
  2. Peanut Butter Icebox Cake
  3. To Die For Carrot Cake
  4. Orange Creamsicle Cake
  5. Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake
  6. Easy Ice Cream Cake

How To Make Chocolate Zucchini Cake

close up look at chocolate zucchini cake with chocolate glaze.
Print Pin
5 from 30 votes

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

This Chocolate Zucchini Cake is bound to be a new favorite for chocolate lovers! Fabulously moist, decadently rich, and impossible to resist! 
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword chocolate zucchini cake, chocolate zucchini cake recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Servings 16
Calories 315kcal
Author Trish – Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

  • 2 to 3 medium zucchinis you want 2 to 3 cups shredded zucchini total
  • 7 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons butter softened
  • 3 eggs room temperature
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ cups applesauce unsweetened
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
  • 1 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips

Chocolate Glaze

  • ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 10 cup bundt pan generously and set aside.
  • Grate the zucchinis and place on several layers of paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Use a towel and gently press the zucchini to release the moisture. You don't want it completely dry, just slightly less wet. I ended up with a couple of cups of grated zucchini but it honestly doesn't affect the recipe if you have more or less. I would say between 2 and 3 cups is perfect.
  • Whisk granulated sugar, eggs, applesauce, butter, and vanilla extract together in a large mixing bowl.
  • Whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cocoa powder together. Reserve a couple tablespoons of the mixture, set aside.
  • Stir the flour mixture into the wet mixture just until combined.
  • Combine the chocolate chips with the reserved flour mixture. Add chocolate chips and grated zucchini to the batter and stir just until all ingredients are combined.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Bake the cake for 55 to 65 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool for ten minutes before inverting onto a plate. Let cake cool completely.

Chocolate Glaze

  • Combine butter, chocolate chips, and corn syrup in a microwaveable dish. I use my Pyrex glass measuring cup because it makes it easy to drizzle the glaze over the cake.
  • Heat in the microwave in 30 seconds intervals at 50% power, stirring in between, until nicely melted.
  • Stir in vanilla extract. Drizzle over the top of the cooled cake. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

To make cupcakes: I love parchment cups for this recipe to ensure the cupcakes don’t stick to the wrappers. You’ll need to bake for about 20 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Sheet Cake: To make this cake in a 9 x 13 pan, bake for 30 to 40 at 350°F.

Nutrition

Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 274mg | Potassium: 264mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 223IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 2mg

Originally published July 5, 2012.

Comments

  1. Krista says

    Love this recipe, I’ve made it twice this week for two different parties! It has been a big hit! I don’t own a bundt cake, so I just make it in a 9×13 pan and pour the glaze on top. Cooks for about 35 minutes on 350 that way. Turns out great! Thanks so much!

    Reply

  2. Penny says

    Can you tell me how many cups of shredded zucchini equals your 2 medium zucchini? Around here, our medium zucchini are about 3″ in diameter and about 10″ long! LOL

    Reply

  3. Emma says

    I’ve just baked the chocolate courgette bundt cake and if it tastes as good as it smells (and how the batter tasted when I licked the spatula – we all do that ….. right??!!) then it’ll be another successful cake I’ve baked using a recipe from your blog. This comes hot on the heels of Thursday’s offering of carrot, courgette and apple cake, that went down a storm with my friends.
    I’m really enjoying your blog and keep you as a constant in my browser/safari.
    Thank you for your super recipes.

    Reply

  5. Sheila says

    AMAZING….thanks for this recipe!! FYI made my 2nd cake today and used applesauce that was sweetened (usually buy unsweetened). Cut sugar to 1 1/2 cups….still awesome. Well cut more next time!

    Reply

  8. Annette says

    Why the applesauce and can you taste the applesauce in the final product (for me, who is not a fan of applesauce but loves her zucchini bread) 🙂

    Reply

    • Trish - Mom On Timeout says

      Hi Annette! The applesauce is in place of oil. It makes the cake a lot healthier and very moist. You can’t taste the applesauce at all but if you really don’t want to use it you could sub canola or vegetable oil in for it. Enjoy!

      Reply

  11. Diane C says

    This looks so good! I will be trying it for sure. You may actually get me to like zucchini and plant it next year just so I can try all your recipes.

    Reply

  12. Judy from Yuba City, CA says

    Thank you for posting this recipe. I planted zucchinis for the first time this summer and OMG! I have a ton! Any ways, I wanted to bake a chocolate zucchini cake and I’ve tried a betty crocker recipe for one twice this past week and both times it came out horrible and I had to toss it. I was about to give up when I saw your recipe so thank you again for posting it.

    Reply

  14. S.R.T. says

    Don’t know what I did wrong. Was really looking forward to this but this cake would never set up correctly. I put around 3 cups of zucchini but it ended up like pudding. Bummer! Put it in a 9×13 pan and used cake flour. Didn’t have wheat. Any ideas?

    Reply

    • Trish - Mom On Timeout says

      Cake flour would change the texture a bit but if the cake didn’t set up properly it has to be a moisture issue. Maybe the zucchini was really wet? Also the baking time should be decreased in a 9 x 13 pan. I’ve made the recipe several times so I know it’s good 🙂 Very strange indeed!

      Reply
5 from 30 votes (19 ratings without comment)

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