Go Back
close up look at chocolate zucchini cake with chocolate glaze.
Print Pin
5 from 38 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