Since this One Bowl Chocolate Zucchini Cake was such a hit, I decided that an autumnal version needed to happen. Especially since I’ve given up chocolate for the time being in the name of more digestive comfort for my baby(and most dairy too, but lets not get into that – I hate crying in public).
This seasonally appropriate cake has all the moist crumb and soft texture of it’s chocolate sister, but pumpkin and zucchini are to thank, in this case. Cinnamon spices the cake and the squashes are present – but not overwhelming. And just like it’s sister cake, the frosting is absolutely the star of the show. An impressive feat, really, seeing as it’s so simple. Three ingredients are all you need for what I guarantee will be your new favorite frosting. Why? One word. Browned Butter.
Browned butter, as we all know, is my obsession and it is the perfect flavor to go along with all of this lovely pumpkin and cinnamon. You do need to plan a bit ahead to make it – the browned butter needs time to firm up in the freezer and then soften back to room temperature before it can be used, so keep that in mind before making.
If you make this cake and post it on Instagram, please tag @thekitchenmccabe because I would love to see! I’ve been adored seeing all of the chocolate zucchini cakes you lovelies have been making!
Happy fall baking!
xo
- FOR THE CAKE:
- 1⅓ cup Flour (all-purpose or whole wheat)
- 1 cup Raw Cane Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Himalayan Pink Salt
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1½ teaspoons Cinnamon
- 1 Egg
- ¼ cup Coconut Oil (liquefied)
- ⅓ cup Milk
- ⅔ cup Pumpkin Puree
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- ¾ cup finely grated Zucchini
- FOR THE FROSTING:
- 8 ounces Grass-fed Butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar
- Ciinnamon
- FOR THE CAKE:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9" round baking pan.
- Place the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon in a large bowl and whisk to combine.
- Add the egg, oil, milk, pumpkin puree, and vanilla to the dry ingredients and whisk in just until smooth, Add the zucchini and stir in just until combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and baking in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until puffed and firm on top and a tester inserted into the middle comes out mostly clean, with a few moist crumbs attached.
- Remove and let cool completely.
- FOR THE FROSTING:
- Place the butter in a saute pan over medium/high heat. Melt the butter and continue to cook until it begins to foam - stir occasionally and cook until the butter develops a nutty aroma and turns golden brown. Remove from heat and pour into a freezer safe dish. Freeze for 15 minutes, or until butter has solidified.
- Remove butter from freezer and set at room temperature until butter softens.
- Scrape the butter into a mixing bowl along with the vanilla.
- Beat with an electric mixer until the vanilla and butter are well combined. Beating on low speed, adding the powdered sugar a few tablespoons at a time, until all of the sugar has been whipped in. Scrap the bowl down, turn the speed up to medium, and beat the frosting for another 30 seconds.
- Spread thickly on top of the cooled zucchini cake, dust the top with cinnamon, and serve.
- Store covered at room temperature for a few days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
Just went into the oven and baking now! Ty! I wanted to bake today however I am out of flour mix for GF. I had enough to make this and I got to use the other half of the pumpkin I had left.
OMG it’s delicious TOOOOO tip: wait to frost till all the way cool or the butter melts 😀 hehe
This would be so good with cinnamon whipped cream icing too!
What a gorgeous cake!! Simple but oh so very tempting. I’m also obsessed with brown butter. Taking the extra time to brown it certainly makes a world of difference. I’ve already pinned it to make. Your photography is so inspiring. Not just a photo of food. It’s a work of art.
Such a lovely fall cake. Just be careful with the flowers you have used as decoration. They appear to be alstoemeria which look beautiful but when cut the sap produces an allergen that can cause skin irritation and if ingested may cause intestinal upset. Wouldn’t want you to experience any problems after all this work!
Can’t wait to try this.