My daughter said “zucchini is my worst enemy ! ” But with this yummy cake, I have successful converted her enemy into her new friend ! Yes, zucchini is definitely chocolate cake’s best friend. It makes the cake moist and soft. And you can eat your vegetable right inside a dessert !

Makes one 9 inch round cake

For the cake

• 200 g grated zucchini
• 2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1+3/4 cups cake and pastry flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup demerara or brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the ganache

• 1 cup whipping or heavy cream
• 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF
2. Lightly grease 9 inch spring-form cake pan with oil, then dust with flour
3. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt, set aside
4. Add lemon juice into milk, let sit for a few minutes
5. Using an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, beat oil and sugars at medium speed until blended
6. Mix in eggs, milk with lemon juice and vanilla
7. Add flour mixture in 2-3 portions, scraping sides and bottom of mixing bowl
8. Add grated zucchini, mix until just blended
9. Stir in 2 ounces of chopped chocolate 
10. Pour batter into pan and bake for about 30 minutes (toothpick should come out clear when inserted into middle of cake)
11. Meanwhile, prepare the ganache by heating cream in a non-stick pot over medium heat
12. Turn heat off when cream just starting to bubble
13. Pour over chopped chocolate, let sit for 1 minute
14. Stir until smooth, let cool at room temperature
15. When cake is ready, cool in pan for about 10 minutes, then completely on rack
16. Cover cake with chocolate ganache, smooth with a spatula
17. Let chocolate set, keep in refrigerator

Tools I used and you may like

KitchenAid K45SSWH Classic 4.5-Quart Bowl Stand Mixer, White

Wilton 409-7716 Angled Icing Spatula, 13-Inch, Black

You can get these tools through the Amazon website by clicking the above link. I will receive a small compensation if you purchase the item.