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
- ⅓ 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 ⅓ 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.
Kim says
Have you tried almond flour instead of cake flour? If so, is it an equal substitution?
How about stevia instead of sugar? I have someone who is diabetuc and has celiac disease.
Thanks
Kim
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I haven’t tried either substitution Kim but I’d love to know how it turns out if you do!
Cassandra Lamar says
Wonder if we could make it keto friendly …. can I sub almond flour for the cake flour and use xylitol sugar. I know I can make my appropriate glaze…
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I think it would be worth a shot Cassandra. I haven’t tried it that way myself but would love to know if it works!
Kelly Worrell says
This is one of my favorite recipes. I always have plenty of seasonal zucchini. I make it a lot!❤
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much Kelly!
Jolene says
Must I use almond milk? Not a fan of it.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You can absolutely use regular milk Jolene. Enjoy!
Don Stolfi says
What size loaf pan did you use? Thanks!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That pan was 8.5″ x 4.5″ but anything close to that will work. Thanks!
Thanya De Paz says
Has anyone tried this using Gluten Free AP Flour?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I personally haven’t but I’m pretty sure it will work 🙂
Susan S. says
I made this today and it was quite tasty. I substituted apple sauce for the eggs and coconut sugar for the sugar. My husband wants me to make this again tomorrow!!!
Sara says
I will be trying this for my boyfriend’s birthday. DO you think I could use a round cake tin instead of the loaf pan? Thank you 🙂
Danae says
I look it
CeeCee says
Hello,
Can you sub Veg oil instead of the virgin olive oil?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes you can CeeCee.
Jaylene says
I can’t wait to try this tomorrow for my father in law!!! Would I be able to double the recipe and use a normal cake pan? 9×11? My bread pans are in storage…
Jaylene says
Or I have a cupcake pan. Would this recipe work in those just adjust cook time? What do you think?
CherylD says
After reading all the comments I decided to make this recipe gluten free. I used regular milk and added an extra 1/2 cup of all purpose gluten free flour. I made a dozen muffins instead of the loaf baked them for 20 minutes and they are perfect. Moist, but not wet like the picture. I agree zucchini and lemon do go together!
Jaylene says
Oh my goodness you just answered my question! Thanks for trying this today and posting! I should have read the comments before posting my question:)
Jenn says
I don’t have Parchment paper. What do you suggest? Cooking spray ?
Jen C says
Hi, I made this yesterday and followed the directions to a T. It is super yummy! I have a ton of zucchini to use so I was going to try to make another loaf today but substitute the lemon for orange. Any recommendations on how much to use or if this is a bad idea? I know lemon is much more potent than orange so I was thinking I would need to add more orange flavoring to it. Maybe put in some orange juice and a little orange extract?
Chris says
I’ve used my Moms Recipe for Zucchini for years and have nothing but good comments on it. This was very dissapointing. So very very dry. Not making this again. I followed your recipe. Sorry, I and others don’t care for it. Way too dry. I’m glad others are enjoying it. To each their own. God Bless