A cocoa laced cake packed with chocolate goodness and covered in a tangy sour cream frosting. Not to mention zucchini. Shredded zucchini adds incredible moistness and body to the cake making it dense but not heavy.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think zucchini cake could taste so heavenly good! You may think it sounds odd if you’ve never experienced it before but trust me when I say it’s not. It’s exactly like inserting applesauce or banana into your baking.

You know the ones I’m talking about. The certified vegetable haters, the ones who kick and scream when the smallest piece of vegetable is set in front of them.
When you wrap chocolate and sugar around zucchini no one can resist it’s lure.
Especially when that pertinent piece of information is kept from them.
I don’t normally condone this kind of behavior but if it gets people to eat their veggies than I plead the fifth!
P.S. Just between you and I, my family still isn’t aware there’s zucchini in this cake. It’ll be our little secret. Tee-hee.

A zucchini-laced cake packed with chocolate goodness and topped with a fluffy sour cream frosting.
INGREDIENTS:
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Put the grated zucchini in a colander to drain, you don't want to drain all the water out of it so you don't have to squeeze it.
- Preheat oven to 325º F. Butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan.
- In a large bowl sift the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt together.
- In a separate large bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer cream together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed about 3 minutes or until light and fluffy.
- Beat in oil, then one egg at a time, then vanilla. Alternately beat in flour mixture and buttermilk in 3 batches beginning and ending with flour on low speed. Stir in the zucchini.
- Pour batter into greased pan and spread evenly. Bake 1 hour and 10 - 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from center.
- Remove from oven and cool on wire rack, turn out after 15-20 minutes or if using spring form carefully remove the ring. Cool completely before frosting.
- In a large mixing bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer beat the butter until fluffy on medium speed, then beat in vanilla, slowly add two cups of the confectioners' sugar and beat until well incorporated and fluffy.
- Beat in the sour cream until well combined.
- Beat in the remaining 1 - 2 cups of sugar until well incorporated, fluffy and thick enough to spread 3 - 5 minutes. When you lift the beater it should stick to it.
- Frost cake and sprinkle with walnuts.
Notes:
Adapted from Saveur
Copyright ©2013 Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice by Reeni Pisano All Rights Reserved

This was the best zucchini cake ever! It was moist, had great flavor, and my 10 year old asked for seconds and he despises any kind of vegetable. He did know there was zucchini in the cake! Thanks for another wonderful recipe!!!
Thanks a lot Shannon! I’m glad it was a hit! I make it for my Dad – he doesn’t know there’s zucchini in it either! 😉
Thanks for the feedback Katie! I’m glad to hear you liked the frosting!
Do you think, without frosting, this would freeze ok? I am desperate to make some zucchini goodies that freeze well.
I never froze any kind of baked good with zucchini it Kelly! I’m afraid it would be soggy when defrosted. . .I googled it and found that some people had frozen other zucchini cakes with success so I think it’s worth a try.
About how much zucchini do you get from 2 large zucchini? I have mine shredded and frozen so it’s ready to use.
Hi Phyllis! 3 – 4 cups!
Mmmmm…heaven. If THIS cake doesn’t make your (sweet) heart pitterpatter, I don’t know what will. Thank You, Reeni!
You’re welcome Cal! This definitely makes my heart pitter patter!
Oooh what a divine looking cake, Reeni!!! Beautiful photography!xoxo,Tammy
I never heard of chocolate zucchini cake and today I have read three posts. I find this amazing and I have to try it.
I love adding zucchini to baked goods. So much moisture! I'm eating a mushroom omelet as I type…but as it good as it tastes, it pales in comparison to this! Thank you for sharing such a delicious recipe. I hope you are having a joyful start to your week!
I love how fudgy and good this looks. Smart of you not to tell your family 😉
Dear Reeni, This looks so rich and delicious!!! Wonderful. Blessings, Catherine xo
Sour cream frosting, zucchini secrets, OMG Reeni you are brilliant!!! I love the combination, (and the cocoa) but you knew that part already! Bookmarked!
The cake looks lovely.
Wow Reeni, this sound excellent. I cook and bake with zucchini all the time, so my family would totally dig this. And ye, kids get their veggies and sweets all in one:)
I wish you were my neighbor too Swathi! I would love to share my baked goods with you.
Chocolate zucchini cake looks delicious with sour cream frosting. I wish you were my neighbor, so that in current situation craving can be full filled.
This looks fantastic! I told myself I'll bake a chocolate zucchini bread sometime. Thanks for the recipe!