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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Cakes

    Chocolate Zucchini Cake Recipe

    Published: Jun 6, 2023 by Ang Paris · 1 Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links·

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    My Gram's Chocolate Zucchini Cake is filled with flavor and love. It might just become a family recipe at your house too!
    Total Time 1 hour hour
    Jump to Recipe Add to Favorites Go to Collections
    Delicious chocolate zucchini cake is a great way to get your kids to eat more vegetables. They'll never know. via @jugglingactmamaDelicious chocolate zucchini cake is a great way to get your kids to eat more vegetables. They'll never know. via @jugglingactmama

    This Chocolate Zucchini Cake Recipe from my Grandmother is simple and easy but so, so good, especially with a dollop of homemade whipped cream!

    Close up image of chocolate zucchini cake on a white plate.
    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • 🧂 Ingredients
    • 🔪Instructions
    • Equipment
    • ⭐ Tips
    • 🍴 Serving Suggestions
    • ⏲️ Storage
    • 📖 Variations
    • More Zucchini Recipes
    • More Cake Recipes
    • 📋 Let's Cook!
    • Gram's Chocolate Zucchini Cake
    • 💬 Comments

    Today I'm sharing with you one of my all-time favorite recipes from my Grandmother. I enjoy making it for my family now.  It's become one of Ethan and Olivia's favorites as well, and I think she would get a kick out of that!

    Gram used to say that it was perfect because this chocolate zucchini cake recipe 'frosted itself'.  She would include chopped walnuts with chocolate chips on top, but my family prefers it without the nuts. It's up to you!

    This is the best chocolate cake for any chocolate lover!

    ❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • The addition of zucchini makes this the best chocolate cake. It is such a moist cake!
    • It is a delicious cake with rich chocolate flavor.
    • This is the perfect way to use your garden zucchini which is sure to get rave reviews.

    🧂 Ingredients

    • salted butter
    • vegetable oil
    • white granulated sugar
    • pure vanilla extract
    • buttermilk
    • all-purpose flour
    • eggs
    • baking soda AND baking powder
    • salt
    • natural unsweetened cocoa powder
    • ground cinnamon
    • zucchini, grated
    • semi-sweet chocolate bits, if desired
    • chopped walnuts, if desired
    Zucchini in a bowl with a box grater.

    This is meant to be a brief overview of the chocolate zucchini cake recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below or Jump to Recipe.

    🔪Instructions

    1. Grease and flour a 9x12 pan, then preheat oven to 325-degrees F. 
    2. Soften butter in the microwave.
    3. Add the dry ingredients to a large bowl.
    4. Grate the zucchini into a medium bowl. For best results, I suggest draining off any excess moisture from the zucchini using a colander.
    5. Crack and gently whisk eggs into a separate bowl. Do not beat.
    6. Add the softened butter, eggs and the rest of the wet ingredients (except for the chocolate chips and walnuts if you are using them) to the dry ingredients. 
    7. Pour cake batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle chocolate chips and walnuts on top if you want.
    8. Bake 45 minutes until toothpick or cake tester comes out clean. 
    9. Cool on a wire rack before cutting.

    Equipment

    The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    • 9x12 OR 9x13 Baking Pan
    • Large Mixing Bowl
    • Whisk
    • Box Grater
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Liquid Measuring Cup

    Be sure to check out my Juggling Act Mama Storefront on Amazon where you'll find all kinds of great products to make your life easier! Thanks so much for being a part of Juggling Act Mama ❤

    ⭐ Tips

    Here are some tips my grandmother gave me for making this cake:

    • If you're a little light on the zucchini, grate up some carrot to get to the full 2 cups.
    • You can grease the pan with butter, shortening or coconut oil. Be sure to also flour the pan. too.
    • For best results, I suggest draining off any excess moisture from the zucchini using a colander.
    • 'Always remember to use pure vanilla, it makes a difference!' Gram never skimped on quality ingredients!
    • If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute... just add ½ teaspoon of lemon juice to the milk and let it stand five minutes before adding it to your cake mixture.
    Chocolate zucchini cake in a non-stick pan.

    🍴 Serving Suggestions

    Just as Gram said, this is a perfect snack cake that requires no frosting because of the chocolate bits it is delicious with a little homemade whipped cream or homemade ice cream, too!

    If you prefer, you could add a layer of vanilla or chocolate frosting to the top.

    Close up image of chocolate zucchini cake on a white plate with a fork. A glass of milk stands behind.

    ⏲️ Storage

    This cake will keep at room temperature for about 1 week in an airtight container. (These are my favorite airtight containers.) However, if it is very hot or humid, I suggest storing it in the refrigerator.

    📖 Variations

    • You can substitute half of the zucchini with a grated carrot or apple.
    • For a slightly healthier cake - that's an oxymoron right?? - substitute half of the vegetable oil for a fruit puree like banana, pumpkin or applesauce.
    • For the topping, use any combination you like of dark, semi-sweet or even white chocolate chips.
    • You can add ½ cup of your favorite chopped nuts to the batter if you like.
    • This cake can also be made in a bundt pan if you like. It looks beautiful dusted with powdered sugar. You can also make it in two round cake pans. Obviously, the time will change a bit for different-sized pans.

    More Zucchini Recipes

    If you have tons of zucchini in your garden (or just really love it!) try one of these other great zucchini recipes next time:

    • Chocolate Zucchini Bread
    • Lemon Zucchini Bread
    • Easy Zucchini Hush Puppies
    • Zucchini Bread with Chocolate Chips.
    • Pulled Pork Stuffed Zucchini in a casserole dish.
    • Close up of Grilled Veggies cropped square.
    • Close up of Mediterranean Chicken Bake in a casserole dish with serving spoon.
    See more Zucchini →

    More Cake Recipes

    • lemon cake
    • chocolate caramel cake
    • orange raspberry poke cake
    • blueberry snack cake
    • Close up of Apple Spiced Bundt Cake with caramel and pecans.
    • Slice of Sweet Potato Bundt Cake with cream cheese icing on a plate with a fork.
    • A slice of Banana Pudding Ice Box Cake on a plate.
    • Lemon cake with whipped topping on a plate.
    See more Cakes →

    📋 Let's Cook!

    I hope you can share this with the special people in your lives soon. And friends, take a moment to tell those you love how much they mean to you.  Time is fleeting.

    Not ready to make Gram's delicious chocolate cake recipe yet? Don’t forget to pin this for later! When you do make it, please be sure to tag me on Instagram @jugglingactmama or #jugglingactmama – I’d love to see your pictures! And finally, if you get a chance, please comment and leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!


    Gram's Chocolate Zucchini Cake

    My Gram's Chocolate Zucchini Cake is filled with flavor and love. It might just become a family recipe at your house too!
    Add to Your Recipe BoxGo to Collections
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    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Chocolate Zucchini Cake
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 425kcal
    Author: Ang Paris

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Equipment

    • 9x12 OR 9x13 Baking Pan
    • Large Mixing Bowl
    • Whisk
    • Box Grater
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Liquid Measuring Cup

    Ingredients

    • 1 stick butter
    • ½ cup vegetable oil
    • 1¾ cups sugar
    • 3 teaspoons vanilla
    • ½ cup buttermilk
    • 2½ cups all-purpose flour sifted
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ cup cocoa powder
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 2 cups zucchini grated
    • ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate bits if desired
    • ½ cup chopped walnuts optional
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Grease and flour a 9x12 pan, then preheat oven to 325-degrees F.
    • Soften butter in the microwave.
      1 stick butter
    • Add the dry ingredients to a large bowl.
      2½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1¾ cups sugar
    • Grate the zucchini into a medium bowl.
      2 cups zucchini
    • Crack and gently whisk eggs into a separate bowl. Do not beat.
      2 eggs
    • Add the softened butter, eggs and the rest of the wet ingredients (except for the chocolate chips and walnuts if you are using them) to the dry ingredients.
      ½ cup vegetable oil, 3 teaspoons vanilla, ½ cup buttermilk
    • Pour the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the chocolate chips and walnuts on top if you want.
      ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate bits, ½ cup chopped walnuts
    • Bake 45 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.

    Notes

     
     

    For best results, be sure to check our Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help your delicious recipe come out perfectly.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 425kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 280mg | Potassium: 197mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 337IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg
    Please Note: I am not a registered dietician. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
    Tried this recipe? Pin It for Later!Mention @jugglingactmama or tag #jugglingactmama!

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    Comments

    1. Mary P says

      August 02, 2021 at 3:12 pm

      This is SOOO good and SOOO easy to make! A true crowd pleaser!

      Reply

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    Welcome! I'm Ang - the Juggling Act Mama! I love sharing quick and easy recipes, creative DIY projects, and fun family travel with you. Like many of you, I am a multi-tasking mama juggling priorities which is why here I offer solutions to tame your hectic lifestyle.

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