Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes
It’s that time of year where everyone is overloaded with zucchini. Our friend’s gave us a monstrous zucchini and I was determined to not let it go to waste. I made zucchini brownies, but that only made a small dent in the giant zucchini. I decided to make Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes with the rest of the zucchini. You can’t go wrong turning a vegetable into a chocolate dessert:)
If you think adding zucchini to cupcakes sounds weird, gross, or just wrong, think again. These cupcakes are one of the most moist, rich, chocolaty cupcakes I have ever tasted. If you think no one will eat them because there is zucchini involved, just don’t tell them. It will be our little secret. One of the kid’s in our neighborhood stopped by and we gave him a cupcake. He licked his wrapper clean and had chocolate all over his face. I think he liked it:)
If you are wondering what to do with your garden zucchini, try these Zucchini Chocolate Cupcakes. And if you don’t have any zucchini, I am sure a friend or neighbor would be happy to share with you:) I am going to have to hunt down some more zucchini so I can make these cupcakes again. They are a new favorite!
Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes
Yield: 20 standard cupcakes
Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Ingredients:
For the cupcakes:
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
1/4 cup melted butter
3/4 cup canola oil
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 cups grated zucchini
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup dutch processed cocoa, sifted
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamonFor the frosting:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
2/3 cup dutch processed cocoa powder
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extractDirections:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two muffin pans with paper liners and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, butter, and oil. Beat in eggs, one at a time until well incorporated. Stir in vanilla extract, buttermilk, zucchini, and chocolate chips.
3. In a separate large bowl, mix together all of the dry ingredients. Add the liquid ingredients and mix until well combined. Spoon batter into large muffin pans, filling them about 3/4 the way full. Bake in the center of the oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool cupcakes on a wire rack, while you make the frosting.
To make the frosting:
1. Melt the butter. Whisk in the cocoa powder, whisking until smooth. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. Frost the cupcakes with the chocolate frosting. Decorate with sprinkles, if desired. Store cupcakes at room temperature in an air tight container.
* Note-the frosting makes about 2 cups, you might have a little extra.
Cupcake recipe adapted from Rebar: Modern Food Cookbook-seen on 101 Cookbooks
Frosting recipe from Hershey's
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SaveIf you like these Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes, you might also like:
- Zucchini Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting from I Am Baker
- Carrot Zucchini with Maple & Cream Cheese Frosting The Novice Chef
- Zucchini Spice Cupcakes from Bake at 350
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These are awesome! Very moist and tasty! No one knew they had zucchini in them, I even used the green sprinkles for presentation!
Two Peas replied: — August 28th, 2011 @ 1:30 am
Glad you liked the cupcakes and the green sprinkles:)
I’ve made chocolate zucchini cake before and we love it. I love how you put the green sprinkles as a touch back to the green zucchini. So adorable.
Fantastic! My veggie hating 5 year old raved about these and bragged about how he made them! This made 30 cupcakes for us so we got to freeze some! thanks for a yummy recipe
I love the green sprinkles!
I made these cupcakes last night, while my husband was out and my boys were alseep. If they knew there was zucchini in these I think they would run. I was a little freaked out at the whole zucchini chocolate idea when I first read this post, but I love your other recipes and thought I’d give these a try. I’ll sneek veggies in where ever I can to feel less guilty.
These cupcakes are SO good! They are rich and puffed up beautifully and made me very happy. The cinnamon smell in my house was wonderful. Thank you for this recipe!
Two Peas replied: — September 23rd, 2011 @ 9:32 pm
You are very welcome! Glad you liked the cupcakes!
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My chocolate zucchini cake recipe doesn’t use as much zucchini as yours. I’ll have to give it a try.
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These look delicious! What do you recommend though if I don’t want to use eggs? I know there are many possible substitutes, but I’m not sure which is best.