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 9×5 inch 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.
Nino says
I tried your recipe today, and it was honestly to die for! The consistency was so moist and satisfying. And the flavor too!! Loved everything about it. Thanks for a great post. I love to bake, and this recipe is definitely getting saved 😉
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you SO much! My birthday is this week and I’m making it for myself 🙂
Virginia Stutesman says
I was anxious to try this but only had sprouted spelt flour, and used the two Tablespoons of corn starch replacement of minus two Tablespoons flour. I also substituted Xylitol for the sugar and also made powdered xylitol in my VitaMix. I let it cool thoroughly,and cut a slice before I glazed it. It was quite dry, so I cut it in slices, and glazed each piece with the lemon glaze. I popped them into the freezer and I tasted a piece while still frozen. Voila! It is a welcome cool snack on a hot day! Better than a warm cake!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I’m glad you were able to make it work for you Virginia!
Patty says
If using unsweetened Almond milk, do I need to increase the granulated sugar?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
No, you sure don’t Patty!
Adria says
Can I use regular milk?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Absolutely!
Deborah Willlem says
Can you use 2 per cent milk in place of the almond?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes you sure can Deborah!
Adrienne smith says
What are your thoughts about adding poppy seeds?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yesss! Do it!
Carol says
Can I substitute unsweetened vanilla almond milk?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes, of course!
Kelli says
Is that wax paper you put under the batter in the loaf pan?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That was parchment paper Kelli – I use it all the time for baking!
selina says
have you ever added blueberries to this? I was thinking of trying that out
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
No I haven’t but now I want to lol! That would be seriously amazing!
Kimberley says
Is cake flour the same as self rising flour?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
No it isn’t Kimberly.
TikiMom says
Did you use sweetened or unsweetened almond milk? I’m going to try making this low carb with almond/coconut flour and bochasweet. I don’t eat sugar. TY!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Either will work in this recipe – enjoy!
Carol says
Can I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes you can Carol – enjoy!
Carol says
Unsweetened Vanilla Almond milk, not “light”
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes you can Carol!
Carol says
Can I use the light vanilla almond milk?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes you can Carol!
Marie says
Can I use regular 2% milk instead of vanilla almond milk?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes Marie, you sure can!
Amy says
I’ve never used parchment paper for cakes/bread before…I worry about it bunching weird in the corners and doing something funny. Is it ok to grease and flour the pan instead?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes! Whatever you are comfortable with!