This Lemon Zucchini Cake is definitive proof that lemon and zucchini belong together! Beautifully moist and undeniably delicious, this easy cake is topped with a lemon glaze that will keep you coming back for one more slice. An excellent way to use up that zucchini from your garden!
Love zucchini recipes as much as I do? Make sure to try out this top rated Carrot Apple Zucchini Bread or this fantastic Zucchini Spice Cake.
Lemon Zucchini Cake
Every year I meticulously plan my garden with one goal in mind – eating ALL the veggies! I don’t know why, but fruits and veggies from your own garden always taste so much better. Plus, my kiddos will actually pick and eat straight from the garden much better than anything I put on their plate.
My tomatoes are growing like gangbusters because of the crazy heat wave we had last week. 103-109 every day for a WEEK! It was awful. I kept praying that my air conditioner wasn’t going to break because it was literally running non-stop. It’s about 15 years old and I keep seeing our neighbors replacing theirs and it’s got me worried for sure…
Anyways, I have been waiting ever so patiently for my first zucchini to be ready so that I could make this amazing cake for you and it finally happened! I’ve got several more almost ready and I’m so excited because I live for zucchini recipes during the summer. I can’t let a summer go by with enjoying these Baked Zucchini Fries or indulging in this decadent Chocolate Zucchini Cake that only tastes indulgent. And of course, my personal favorite, Carrot Apple Zucchini Bread, it’s SO good!
This lemon zucchini cake is something special, really, in so many ways. One, it’s made with olive oil. Yes, you can totally sub in canola or vegetable oil but if you have it, try it with olive oil, it’s really fantastic.
Two, it’s summer time and I’m a little lazy during this season, so I make the cake in a loaf pan. No layers, no frosting, no fuss. We could even call this bread if we need to feel better about it 😉 In fact, I’m feeling so good about it, I’m eating a slice right now with a cup of coffee for breakfast. Boom! Bonus that I can eat it with my hands, no fork required.
Three, this cake is denser and moister than most other cakes. I made it just yesterday and between the four of us, there’s maybe one or two slices left from the entire loaf. It’s just irresistible.
Four, I used Vanilla Almondmilk making it dairy free but whole milk can also be used in this recipe.
I add lemon juice and zest to the lemon zucchini cake batter to really brighten up the flavor. I also think that lemon and zucchini are incredible together. The glaze is super simple, a combination of powdered sugar and lemon juice. Just mix to your desired consistency and then drizzle all over the top.
The cake is not exceptionally sweet so the glaze is a really nice addition. You could even add a little lemon zest to the glaze if you want to amp up the lemon flavor.
This recipe is really so easy and perfect for summer. Reece has already asked when we’re making Lemon Zucchini Cake again… I asked him to go look in the garden for a ripe zucchini 😉
More Zucchini Recipes
- Zucchini Carrot Oatmeal Cookies
- Lemon Zucchini Muffins
- Zucchini Brownies
- Zucchini Spice Cake
- Chocolate Chip Zucchini Banana Bread
- Zucchini Banana Cake
- Carrot Zucchini Apple Bread
- Zucchini Bundt Cake with Orange Glaze
- Chocolate Zucchini Cake
How To Make Lemon Zucchini Cake
Lemon Zucchini Cake
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or vegetable or canola oil
- 2 eggs room temperature
- â…“ cup vanilla almondmilk or whole milk
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
- 2 cups cake flour can substitute AP flour following directions here
- 1 â…“ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ cup shredded zucchini drained and squeezed dry
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Spray a loaf pan with baking spray and line with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and whisk together. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the sugar and olive oil. Whisk to combine.
- Add eggs and almondmilk and whisk together.
- Add lemon juice and vanilla extract and stir to combine.
- Add flour mixture and stir just until incorporated.
- Fold in zucchini and lemon zest.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. The top of the cake should look dry.
- Place the loaf on a cooling rack and cool for 15 minutes. Use the parchment paper to carefully life the cake from the pan. Let cool completely on rack.
Glaze
- In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar and lemon juice. Whisk until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cake.
- Slice and serve.
Laurie says
I made this yesterday…oh so good and lemony! The glaze with the lemon zest really adds the perfect touch of sweetness as the cake itself is not overly sweet. I used veg. oil, regular 2% milk and regular flour as that is what I had on hand. The cake was probably a bit more dense not using cake flour but still great… I plan to make more loaves and will freeze for that taste of sunshine in the winter. Thank you so much for the recipe.
Sharon says
This cake was so moist and totally delicious! Not too sweet just right.
JUAN says
My son has food allergies. Can I use Apple sauce instead of 2 eggs ?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I haven’t tried it that way but it’s worth a shot. I’d love to know how it turns out if you do give it a try!
Mona Ayers says
My friend called me this morning and said her brother passed. So, this will be good to take to her as I have used this before.
Holly says
I made this today and it is lovely! I love the combination of lemon and almond and the color of the cake with flecks of zucchini in it is really pleasing. A great way to use up the zucchini from my garden!!
I should have left it in the oven a little longer… but now I know for next time…
jana says
We made this today and it turned out great. Very moist and not too sweet.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Jana!
Natalie Santelli says
Have you tried this with almond flour instead? Any luck?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I sure haven’t but would love to know how it works out if you give it a try!
Denise says
I never buy almond milk, can I substitute 1% milk instead?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You betcha! Any milk will work!
Amanda says
I have made this several times and we love it every time! I don’t have any eggs this time. Do you think applesauce would be a good replacement or would you suggest another egg alternative (chia seeds, etc)? I could make it vegan if I leave out the eggs, too!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hmm, I’m not super familiar with egg alternatives but I have heard that applesauce works great so I would start there for sure.
Louise says
The print button would not work. Had to cut and paste.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Sorry about that Louise! It should be working now!
Sheila says
Made this earlier today. Followed recipe exactly. Delicious! Love the lemon flavor. Thanks for the easy fix for converting all purpose flour to a cake flour equivalent. Made our condo smell wonderful. Taking to work tomorrow!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That’s awesome Sheila! Thank you so much!
Midwesterner says
Deliciously lemon-y. And even with the olive oil, not at all heavy. Skim milk plus 1/4 tsp. almond extract stood in for the almond milk, plus the recipe’s tsp of vanilla,. All added nice subtle flavors but let the lemon win. I baked mine in a Bundt ™ loaf pan with design, sprayed with flour-included baking spray and it tipped right out, even without parchment paper. Mine needed to bake 65 minutes. Allow yourself 20 – 30 minutes for ingredients prep (zest & juice lemon, peel, shred and squeeze zucchini) before you start the oven. Cake comes together quickly after all the ingredients prep is done.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much for such a thoughtful review – very appreciated! Have a great weekend!
Steffi says
I read, I made, we ATE! Perfect! I did not make the glaze, and I used Canola instead of olive oil. Will DEF make again. Thank You!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
YES! Thanks so much Steffi!
jennifer says
I made .Cake flour advice useful .We consumed cake while still warm with glaze .Lovely light texture . Might try making with choko that someone gave me
instead of the zuchini. Yummy cake
Myra says
Do you measure the zucchini before or after you squeeze it dry?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
After Myra – enjoy!
Andreah says
Could you add poppy seeds to this recipe? I love lemon poppy seed anything! Hubby almost has lemon poppy seed pancakes perfected!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Absolutely! That would be delicious!