Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

My husband inspired the idea for this recipe because of his love of carrot cake. I used a combination of my carrot cake recipe and my famous Apple Cake to create my version of zucchini spice cake. And it came out so well that my husband said he now has a new favorite! (OK, to be honest, it is still second to carrot cake. lol)

What is Zucchini Cake?

Zucchini cake is similar to carrot cake with its share of warm spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg, and uses zucchini in place of carrots to provide moisture for the cake. It is also topped with the signature carrot cake frosting, creamy, rich cream cheese frosting. Definitely a close cousin to carrot cake!

What Makes Zucchini Spice Cake So Good

I can't make up my mind whether it is the moist, rich spice cake or the incredible cinnamon cream cheese frosting that puts this cake as one of my number one summer desserts. And if you don't tell anyone there's zucchini in it, they'll never guess.

Why You'll Love This Zucchini Sheet Cake Recipe

• Easy to make
• Moist
• Flavorful, warm spices in a rich spice cake
• Creamy cinnamon cream cheese frosting
• A sweet way to use up your garden zucchini

How to Prepare Shredded Zucchini

• Wash zucchini well. It is best to purchase organic zucchini since we will be leaving the skin intact.
• Cut off the top and bottom of the zucchini.
• Using the small side of a box grater, shred the zucchini.

1. Place the shredded zucchini, in small batches, on several paper towels.
2. Roll the paper towels up around the zucchini.
3. Squeeze the zucchini to get out most of the water.
4. Measure the zucchini for the recipe.

Recipe Ingredients

For the zucchini spice cake:

The ingredient list may look a bit long, but it is worth making this cake from scratch:

• All-purpose flour - provides the structure
• Baking soda, Baking powder - used as a leavening agent
• Salt - enhances the flavor of all ingredients
• Spices - cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves - give the cake its main flavor
• Zucchini - provides moistness and texture
• Eggs - acts as the glue to hold the cake together
• Vegetable oil - provides additional moistness
• White granulated sugar - besides sweetness, mixing sugar into the fats helps create tiny air bubbles to lighten the cake and help it rise.
• Light brown sugar - provides sweetness, moisture and aids in browning
• Vanilla extract - works with salt to enhance all the flavors
• Walnuts - add a mild, nutty flavor with a little crunch to the cake.

For the cinnamon cream cheese frosting:

• Cream cheese - is the creamy base that also thickens and provides a tanginess to the finished frosting
• Butter - adds rich and delicious flavor
• Ground cinnamon - lends a spicy note to the frosting
• Vanilla extract - enhances the overall flavor
• Powdered sugar - provides sweetness
• Milk or cream - is only used to thin the frosting if necessary

How to Make Zucchini Cake

1. In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices.
2. Stir well.
3. In a large bowl, combine shredded zucchini (see preparation notes above) with sugars and eggs.
4. Pour in oil.
5. Add vanilla extract.
6. Mix well.

7. Add the dry ingredients to the zucchini mixture.
8. Stir until well mixed.
9. Sprinkle in walnuts.
10. Fold them into zucchini spice cake batter.

11. Pour into a greased and floured 9x13-inch pan. Level batter.
12. Bake for 30-40 minutes then remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.

Zucchini Cake Tips

• Bake the cake a day in advance because it is better the next day. Frost it the next day or when you are ready to serve it.
• Grate the zucchini with the small side of a box grater.
• Bake the cake in the center and on the middle rack of your oven to help with even baking.
• Check the doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center. The cake is done when the toothpick comes out without any wet batter on it.

How to Make Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

1. In a mixing bowl of an electric mixer, combine softened cream cheese, butter, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
2. Beat until light and fluffy.
3. Add the powdered sugar.
4. Beat again on low until combined.

Cream Cheese Frosting Tips

• Use quality cream cheese such as Philadelphia cream cheese or Organic Valley if you want to use organic cream cheese.
• Make sure the cream cheese is softened and at room temperature.
• Beat until the frosting is nice and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Make-Ahead Zucchini Cake

Bake the cake and let it cool completely. Do not frost the cake. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap first then aluminum foil. Freeze it for up to 3 months.
Thaw the cake overnight in the fridge. Prepare the frosting and frost the cake.

Recipe Variations

If you want to make your zucchini spice cake with fruit, another vegetable, or add in some chocolate, here are some ideas:

• Zucchini Apple Cake - substitute 1 cup of zucchini with 1 cup of grated apple
• Zucchini Banana Cake - substitute ½ cup of zucchini with 1 mashed ripe banana
• Zucchini Blueberry Cake - add 1 cup of fresh blueberries to the batter
• Zucchini Carrot Cake - substitute 1 cup of zucchini with 1 cup of grated carrots
• Zucchini Cake with Chocolate Chips - add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the batter
• Zucchini Cake with Pineapple - substitute ½ cup of zucchini with ½ cup of drained crushed pineapple

Gluten-Free Zucchini Cake - substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free baking flour. Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour and King Arthur Measure for Measure are great choices.

How to Store Zucchini Cake

Place the cake in an airtight container or cover it with plastic wrap.

• Zucchini cake without frosting can be stored on the counter for 5 to 7 days.
• Cream cheese frosted zucchini cake must be refrigerated. It will be good for up to 5 days.

Can You Freeze Zucchini Cake?

Yes, this cake can be frozen with or without the frosting. Note it is best to freeze it without the frosting and then make the frosting after you have thawed the cake in the refrigerator overnight. It will last up to 3 months in the freezer.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Cake Recipes

• Chocolate Pound Cake made in a bundt pan and covered with chocolate glaze
• Key Lime Cake with raspberry cream cheese frosting
• Lemon Chiffon Cake with a sweet and tangy lemon glaze
• Peaches & Cream Poke Cake from 4 Sons R Us
• Milky Way Cake has all the flavor of the candy bar
• Strawberry Lemon Cake with strawberry buttercream frosting

Find lots of easy dessert recipes here on 2CM!