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Home · Recipes · Cakes · Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

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Author: Christina · Published: 08/23/2025 · This post may contain affiliate links.

This super moist and fudge-like chocolate zucchini cake is made with 2 cups of shredded zucchini-that you can't even taste! Truly the most decadent way to eat your greens and on the menu all summer long.

frosted chocolate zucchini cake on a cake stand.

If you've been craving something extra chocolatey, you're in for a treat. This chocolate zucchini cake is everything you want in a fudgy, rich dessert-moist and completely irresistible. And before you ask, no, you won't taste the zucchini. It melts into the batter, leaving you with a cake that feels almost too good to be true. 🙂

Why You'll Love This Chocolate Zucchini Cake

  • Just as loved as my double chocolate chip cookies
  • Super moist with tons of chocolate flavor
  • Batter comes together quickly and easily-1 bowl recipe!
  • Another delicious way to use excess summer zucchini
  • 2 cups of vegetables hiding inside and you don't even taste it

Overview: Chocolate Zucchini Cake Ingredients

ingredients for chocolate zucchini cake in bowls on a white table with overlay text.
  • Zucchini: We use 2 cups of shredded zucchini in this recipe. Zucchini can vary in size, but 2-3 medium zucchini is plenty. Make sure you shred it finely so it incorporates nicely into the cake batter.
  • Cocoa Powder: The cocoa powder takes the place of some flour, just like in my homemade brownies recipe.
  • Flour: It doesn't seem like much flour, and it's not because of the cocoa powder. Most of the volume is from the zucchini!
  • Butter: Using butter in this recipe not only adds moisture but also flavor. Make sure you use unsalted butter and allow it to slightly cool before stirring with other ingredients.
  • Oil: Oil adds additional moisture. You can replace it with unsweetened applesauce.
  • Sour Cream: Similar to homemade zucchini bread, add sour cream helps create a tender cake and adds moisture while also creating the reaction with the baking soda to help the cake rise. You can also use low-fat or full-fat Greek yogurt, or regular yogurt.
  • Eggs: 3 eggs bind everything together and help create the structure needed.
  • Chocolate: While cocoa powder adds chocolate to the cake, melted chocolate creates more of a fudge cake texture.
  • Brown Sugar: Using brown sugar helps keeps the cake moist and adds flavor from the molasses.
  • Milk: Use skim, 1%, 2% or whole milk, even dairy-free works here!

Success Tip: Shredding Zucchini

As you can see, today's recipe comes together easily. The most difficult part is shredding the zucchini-I recommend using this box grater. It's what I use for zucchini fritters, carrot cake, and whole wheat apple cinnamon muffins.

FAQ

Do I need to peel the zucchini before shredding?

You can if you'd like, but I never do when shredding. There's no taste or texture variance-the only difference is that you may have some green flecks throughout.

Do I need to blot shredded zucchini?

There's no need to blot the zucchini dry before stirring into the batter. You want the moisture here!

Let Me Show You How to Make It

Start by whisking together all the wet ingredients, then whisking in the dry ingredients.

wet ingredients mixed together in a bowl with whisk.
chocolate batter topped with flour in a bowl with whisk.

Once it comes together, you'll add in the shredded zucchini until combined.

chocolate cake batter whisked together in a bowl with spatula.
chocolate cake batter topped with shredded zucchini in a bowl.
chocolate cake batter mixed with shredded zucchini in a bowl.

Bake until cooked through and allow to cool completely before frosting.

chocolate cake batter in two round cake pans.
baked chocolate cake batter in two round cake pans.

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frosted chocolate zucchini cake on a cake stand.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Author: Christina
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Yield: 14 servings
5 from 1 vote
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Description

This super moist and fudge-like chocolate zucchini cake is made with 2 cups of shredded zucchini-that you can't even taste! Truly the most decadent way to eat your greens and on the menu all summer long.

Ingredients
 

Zucchini Cake

  • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup canola oil
  • 1 ½ cups light brown sugar, packed
  • 3 large eggs
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ⅓ cup milk
  • 2 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate bar
  • 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ¾ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 medium zucchini, shredded, about 2 cups

Chocolate Frosting

  • 2 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup heavy cream
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Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans, line with parchment paper rounds for easy release, then grease with non-stick baking spray.
  • Make the cake: In a large bowl, whisk the butter, oil, sugar, eggs, sour cream, melted baking chocolate, and vanilla together until combined. Then, whisk in the milk. Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until completely combined. Fold in the shredded zucchini until just combined.
  • Pour the batter evenly into the two cake pans. Bake for around 25-28 minutes or until the cakes are baked through. To test for doneness, lightly press the top of the cake with your finger-if it bounces back instead of leaving an indent, then the cake is done. You can also insert a toothpick into the center of the cake-if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it's done.
  • Set the cakes on a cooling rack and le them cool in the pans for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the cakes from the pans, removing the parchment rounds, and let the cakes finish cooling completely. The cakes must be completely cool before frosting and assembling.
  • Make the chocolate ganache: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, heat the heavy cream and chocolate together, in 30-second increments, until almost melted. Be sure to whisk in between each and whisking completely until smooth.
  • Assemble and frost: First, using a large serrated knife, slice a thin layer off the tops of the cakes to create a flat surface. Place 1 cake layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Evenly cover the top with a heaping cup of frosting. Top with the 2nd cake layer and spread the remaining frosting all over the top and sides. Pipe any leftover frosting on top. Decorate with chocolate sprinkles or chocolate chips if desired. Slice and serve.
  • Cover leftover cake and store at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Notes

  1. Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: You can prepare the cakes and frosting 1 day in advance. Cover tightly and eep cakes at room temperature. Refrigerate prepared frosting in an airtight container, then bring to room temperature when ready to use. Frosted or unfrosted cakes may be frozen up to 3 months, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature, if desired, before serving.
  2. 9x13-inch Cake: If you prefer a sheet cake, this batter will fit into a 9x13-inch pan. The bake time is much longer-at least 45 minutes at the same temperature to ensure the thick cake is baked through.

Nutrition

Calories: 543kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 248mg | Potassium: 448mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 593IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 4mg
Tried this recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @SimpleEverydayRecipes or tag #simpleeverydayrecipes!

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Comments

    5 from 1 vote

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  1. Lisa says

    August 28, 2025 at 9:43 pm

    5 stars
    With tons of zucchini from my garden I was running out of recipes to try. This was SO GOOD. I'll make this again as cupcakes too.

    Reply
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ABOUT THE CREATOR

Christina Tattory

Christina is the founder of Simple Everyday Recipes. Beyond being a recipe creator and food photographer, she's also a mom of two. Her passion lies in crafting simple, family-friendly recipes that are both easy and delicious, proving that there's always time for a homemade meal.

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frosted chocolate zucchini cake on a cake stand with overlay text.

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