Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Aren't new cookbooks great? Another one from the Cook's Garden by Ellen Ecker Ogden this week. This is a recipe that Lisa who gave me the book keeps raving about. And given that the frozen shredded zucchini is the ideal ingredient, it's a perfect week for this. This one has been a real crowd pleaser at her house. She tops it with cream cheese frosting and likes it best after its been refrigerated. It gets dense and more moist and rich. To substitute the frozen zucc, just thaw it and squeeze out the moisture and toss in.
1 C unbleached all-purpose flour
1 C whole wheat flour
1/2 unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 C sugar
8 Tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 C (+) olive oil
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 C sour cream or yogurt
3 C grated zucchini (about 4 medium sized zuchhini)
Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350F.
Butter and lightly flour a 9x13 - inch pan
Sift the flours, baking soda and powder, and salt all together into a medium bowl.
In another bowl use a mixer on high speed to beat together the sugar, butter, and oil until well combined.
One at a time, add in the eggs, beating well after each addition.
Gradually stir in the flour mixture, blending just until smooth.
Stir in the sour cream, then the zucchini.
Spead evenly into the pan!
Bake until the cake springs back when pressed in the center, about 45 minutes.
Cool completely on a wire rack.