When your garden (or your fridge) is overflowing with zucchini, there’s no better way to use it than by making this chocolate zucchini cake. It’s a recipe I make every summer, when I’ve already had zucchini noodles, zucchini chips, and zucchini salad, and something really decadent sounds like it would hit the spot. This chocolate zucchini cake is moist and delicious, with a rich chocolate flavor that I can’t get enough of. It’s wonderful on its own, but I like it best with a thick layer of frosting on top. If you want to lean into the green theme, you can frost it with a luscious matcha frosting like I did, but if not, you’ll find a few other frosting options in the post below.
Chocolate Zucchini Cake Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this chocolate zucchini cake recipe:
Shredded zucchini, of course! It gives the cake an amazing moist texture. Ground flaxseed – A perfect egg substitute. It acts as a binder (and adds healthy fats, too!). Apple cider vinegar + almond milk – Together, they create a vegan substitute for buttermilk. They add moisture and a subtle tangy flavor to the cake. All-purpose flour – For the best results, spoon and level your flour instead of scooping it straight from the canister or bag. Otherwise, you might accidentally add too much flour to the batter! Cocoa powder – It gives the cake a rich chocolate flavor. Baking powder and baking soda – To help the cake rise. Coconut oil – For richness. Maple syrup – It sweetens the cake naturally. Vanilla extract – To enhance the delicious chocolate flavor. And sea salt – To make all the flavors pop!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Chocolate Zucchini Cake Frosting and Variations
I love this chocolate zucchini cake with frosting, but if you’re not a frosting person, feel free to skip it! Instead, fold 1/2 cup chocolate chips into the batter so that the cake is extra rich and fudgy. Otherwise, you have three options for frosting the cake:
Make matcha frosting! Matcha green tea turns this cashew-based frosting a striking green. Sweeten it naturally with maple syrup, or use powdered sugar for a lighter color. Make vanilla frosting. Who doesn’t love vanilla frosting on chocolate cake? Find my go-to vegan frosting recipe here. Make chocolate frosting. A chocolate lover’s dream. Make the secret ingredient frosting from this chocolate cake recipe.
Tip: after you take the cake out of the oven, allow it to cool to room temperature before you frost it. Otherwise, the frosting will melt!
More Favorite Cakes and Quick Breads
If you love this cake, try one of these yummy baking recipes next:
Vegan Chocolate Cake Best Carrot Cake or Vegan Carrot Cake Lemon Cake Apple Cake Healthy Banana Bread Chocolate Zucchini Bread Pumpkin Bread
