CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI BUNDT CAKE

 Friend Nora recently shared a chocolate cake she had made for her family and I asked her for the recipe as soon as I saw it. It took me a couple of days to make it as I was waiting for a cooler day to work in the kitchen. It only took a few days to eat it after sharing some with friends, but my husband is already talking about my making it again and making suggestions for the next one.

I have made Chocolate Zucchini Bread before but didn't compare the recipes. This one can be made with no-sugar-added if you like or as the recipe is written. You could leave the cake unfrosted or dust lightly with some sifted powdered sugar. The recipe looks like it had already been modified to be more healthy. 

A  PRINTABLE copy of just the recipe.

CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI BUNDT CAKE

1       cup raw sugar (or sugar substitute such as stevia or Splenda)

1-1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce

1/2    cup oil

1       tablespoon vanilla extract

2-1/2 cups whole wheat flour

2       teaspoons baking soda

2       teaspoons baking powder

1       teaspoon salt

1       cup cocoa powder

3       cups shredded/grated zucchini (about 2 medium zucchini)

1       cup mini chocolate chips

Frosting:

1/4     cup unsalted butter, melted (1/2 stick)

1/3     cup cocoa powder

2        cups powdered sugar

1        tablespoon vanilla extract

1/3     cup milk 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease or spray a bundt pan. Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix the sugar, vanilla, apple sauce, and oil until

it all comes together.

In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder together.

Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, half at a time.

Mix until the batter comes together.

Stir in the zucchini (I did half at a time) and

then chocolate chips.

Pour into pan and bake for 45 to 55 minutes.

Cool cake in pan on wire rack at least 10 minutes before removing cake to finish

cooling on serving plate.

If you wish, you can make the frosting and pour over cooled cake or just sprinkle with powdered sugar if you want to have less calories.

Whisk together the melted butter, cocoa powder that you have sifted, vanilla, and milk until smooth.

Drizzle over the cooled cake and sprinkle more chocolate chips on top if you like. (I didn't)