Zucchini Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Sweet zucchini cupcakes with chopped walnuts frosted with a delectable cream cheese frosting.

Zucchini polka dots fleck the batter and practically disappear adding the perfect amount of moistness so the cupcakes aren’t dry at all.

You don’t notice the zucchini. You can fool unsuspecting zucchini haters. One of my favorite pastimes.

I heart veggies for dessert.

Zucchini Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

50 minutes

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Zucchini Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Sweet zucchini cupcakes with chopped walnuts frosted with a delectable cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

1 + 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

1 + 1/2 cups zucchini (about 10 ounces), shredded

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Frosting

4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature

4 ounces regular or light cream cheese, at room-temperature

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3 cups confectioners' sugar, plus more if needed

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with liners or grease with butter or non-stick spray.
In a medium bowl mix flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together then mix in nuts.
In another bowl combine zucchini, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Add to flour mixture and mix just until combined (do not overmix).
Divide batter evenly among cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.
Cool in tin on a wire rack for 10 minutes; turn cupcakes out, right side up, and cool completely.
Meanwhile, make frosting. Using an offset spatula or butter knife, spread frosting on cupcakes. The frosted cupcakes are best eaten within 1-3 days. Store in refrigerator.
In a medium bowl, with an electric mixer, beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Add a cup of confectioners' sugar at a time and beat until light and fluffy. Refrigerate until ready to use up to 1 day.

Notes

To make the dried zucchini candy: thinly-slice zucchini, lay flat on parchment lined baking sheet, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon then slowly cook in the oven on 200 degrees until they get crispy. Garnish right before serving otherwise they may soften.

Adapted from Martha Stewart

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Comments

Katerina says:

04/30/2012 at

I can most certainly make these for my son! He may love blue cheese but he doesn’t like zucchini, unless they are fried. This is the perfect sweet to sneak a couple of them under his nose lol. They look delicious I would love to have couple myself!
Katerina recently posted..Lemon Torte di Lefkothea

Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says:

04/30/2012 at

I have yet to bake with zucchini, but your recipe here is really enticing, Reeni! These cupcakes look so moist and delicious, esp. with the cream cheese frosting. Yum!

Blond Duck says:

04/30/2012 at

This is too cute!
Blond Duck recently posted..Magical Monday 87

Amy (Savory Moments) says:

04/30/2012 at

I love these! I’m going to have to remember these when I’m up to my ears in zucchini in a few months! They look so moist and yummy.
Amy (Savory Moments) recently posted..Coconut chocolate chip banana bread

mia xara says:

04/30/2012 at

Hi Reeni,your cupcakes look amazing! I’d love to try your recipe! Have a great week! :)
mia xara recently posted..Barbecued Pork in the Slow Cooker/Sandwich με χοιρινό στο slow cooker