chocolate zucchini cake

The dining hall was a dangerous place for me in college. A waffle maker positioned (stragetically?) next to the salad bar would taunt me, at both breakfast and dinner. The cereal that Kate never bought me (Cinnamon Toast Crunch) could easily end up in little take away cups, perfect for all-nighters in the library. All-you-could-eat sushi on Tuesdays lived up to its name. Mashed potatoes, spring rolls, giant pickles - everything was there - just waiting for me to come over with my tray. 

Among all the delicacies was a vegan chocolate cake, and though I’m not (nor ever will be, let it be known) vegan, this cake was exceptional. Liz would make fun of me while adding sprinkles to her vanilla cone (yes, there was a soft serve machine too) “I’m Marissa and I’m only eating this vegan cake for dessert!!!” Which, in college, was considered hardly eating dessert at all. 

What I loved about the cake was its consistency. It was so incredibly moist and full of rich, chocolate flavor. It wasn’t until I made this chocolate zucchini cake that I found a cake that could compare in the non-dry department. And the key to that is two grated zucchini in the batter. Don’t fret, you can’t taste them at all!

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

(based on this recipe) 

1/2 cup fat-free plain or Greek yogurt

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup olive oil

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

2 small zucchini, grated (with skin)

Preheat oven to 350F. Butter a loaf (or bundt) pan and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk the yogurt, honey, olive oil, eggs, vanilla and buttermilk. Add the dry ingredients and stir together until just moistened. Fold in the zucchini. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for approximately 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack for 10 minutes. Invert pan and remove cake. 

Trying to sneak veggies in someone’s diet? This cake would do the trick. Trying to re-live the moist, vegan cake you had in college? Yeah, it’ll work for that too. 

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