Zucchini Chocolate Cake

This cake was eaten by Jack as a kid on his birthday so it was really special to get to make it for our daughters first birthday. It was also easy because I have giant zucchini growing in the garden.

Ingredients

1 ½ sticks of butter

2 cups sugar

3 eggs

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

2 tablespoons grated orange zest

2 cups raw grated zucchini (i deseeded them before shredding)

¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 ½ teaspoons of baking powder

1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ cup milk

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and line two 9 inch round pans with parchment paper (I buttered both sides) In a standing mixer, cream the butter. Add the sugar and beat until smooth. Add eggs and beat until smooth. Then add vanilla, orange zest, and grated zucchini. The batter might appear lumpy because of the butter but it’s okay. Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add the dry ingredients to the wet bowl and mix thoroughly. Pour the batter into prepared pans and bake for 35-40 minutes.