7.01.2009

Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting




My zucchini is growing like mad! I have been trying think of how to put this lovely little green squash to good use. Then, I remembered this old Chocolate Zucchini Bread recipe that my mom gave me. I decided turning it into a cupcake recipe would be a lot more fun! You know me, I can never stick with a recipe so I had to make some changes.


Ingredients:

1/2 cup softened butter
1/4 cup canola oil
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 1/4 cups flour
1 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3 tsp baking powder
2 cups grated zucchini
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk (maybe a smidge more)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup swirl chocolate chips




Place everything except the zucchini and chocolate chips into a large mixing bowl. Beat on low for 30 seconds until combined. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes.



Fold in zucchini and chocolate chips.




Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes until toothpick inserted comes out clean.





Frosting Ingredients:
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2-3 tbsp milk
Combine the butter, cinnamon, vanilla, and 1 tbsp of milk. Gradually add in the powdered sugar. Add more milk a tsp at a time until desired consistency is reached.

Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.









My kid's thought these were amazing and my husband (who doesn't like chocolate) even gave them a thumbs up.

I think I would change a couple of things. I think the zucchini should be grated a little finer and I would love to know what kind of cocoa or chocolate you use for your cakes and/or cupcakes. I would have liked a little smoother, richer chocolate flavor to these. Any suggestions???

~I Heart Cupcakes~


36 comments:

Katy ~ said...

YUM. I would love one of your cupcakes right now for breakfast with my coffee!

Sorry, can't help you with the chocolate dilemma. I leave that to someone who is more knowledgeable.

Jenn said...

You had me at chocolate. Then you threw a curve ball with the zucchini. Whoa...I love it!!! I never figured to put zucchini in a muffin. well done. I'd love some of that for breakfast.

debra@dustjacket said...

Holy cow, I'd never have thought to put chocolate and zucchini together!

Donna-FFW said...

Chocolate zucchini bread is one of my favorites to make with garden zucchini. I will have to try cupcakes this time. The frosting sounds like the perfect match!

Denise said...

These look so good and I love the cinnamon frosting.

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

YES!
This is just what I need to use up some zucchini. Thanks~

Cathy said...

Yum, love the combination of chocolate and cinnamon and what could be better than cream cheese frosting.

Christo Gonzales said...

nice photos - the cupcakes look moody and dreamy -

Julia said...

I know it won't take much convincing to get Suzi to do my dirty work here... "evil smile" ;P

But couldn't the frosting be just a little bit good for you? hee hee.

Rhiannon Bosse said...

Kim these look very unique and tasty. I love zucchini and am not sure about mixing it with cocoa but it looks like the results turned out great!!

You could try melting some semi-sweet baking squares into the mix, or try more cocoa powder for the chocolaty taste. Was the powder sweetened or unsweetened? Sometimes sweetened gives you thsat extra punch! You could even try a chocolate ganache on top! :)

Creative Classroom Core said...

I love how you used zuchinni to make these more healthy! And, that cinnamon frosting really sounds fantastic!

Randi Troxell said...

i totally "heart" cupcakes too... and though this recipe sounds so different... i think that maybe jsut maybe i might like it!!

Connie said...

i have always heard about using zucchini in bread but i've never had it.

Looks so good!

Molly Anne said...

This sounds divine! I will definitely be making these.
I will remember to grate my zucchini to finer pieces but I'm not really sure on the chocolate suggestions. My neighbor makes a killer chocolate cake, I'll ask her what she uses.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Kim, these really sound wonderful. I love the buttercream you've made. The cupcakes must be wonderfully moist. Someone has to write a book called "Cupcakes for Two" so Bob and I can enjoy more of these wonderful recipes.

Suzi said...

I make a chocolate zucchini bread that is similar to this. The beauty is that my kids gobble it up, they even know that there is zucchini in it and still eat it as if it were going out of style. I may just have to do the cupcakes.

Heather S-G said...

Oh, I love these cupcakes!! I love zucchini bread, but don't think I've ever had it w/ chocolate added...I must try these! I'm pretty useless on the cocoa question...I just use what I have...either regular or dutch-process.

Suzi said...

Oh, I just use the Hershey's cocoa. I hear the Ghiradelli chocolate chips are smoother when using them to bake.

Sweta (My Indian Dietitian) said...

Ok-now this does it!!You've made me a die-hard fan with your collection of cupcake recipes :)
Any idea of starting a cafe/bakery-I wouldn't mind driving down for a bite of these ;)

Anonymous said...

I was going to make my regular pancakes with zucchini but forget that - now I want to make these scrumptious cupcakes instead! Yum!

Jackie @PhamFatale.com said...

I had to read the post twice. "Chocolate zucchini", huh? "Chocolate, zucchini", what? I thought I wasn't wide awake lol/ Interesting. Does the zucchini make the batter more moist? I would give this recipe a try!

The Blonde Duck said...

Healthy cupcakes! I do declare! How wonderful!

Dajana said...

I've never tried this combination but I must try this recipe soon.
As much as I like cupcakes and muffins, I in the end find that cake is better because it's moister.
You know, the very first blog I started following is called Chocolate and zucchini.

Cook the Books said...

Oh wow! I can't wait to try the cinnamon buttercream

teresa said...

This looks so scrumptious that I'd probably forget to take off the wrapper! My mom says that Ghiradelli cocoa is pretty awesome, so you may give that a try? Let us know if you find something good!

Barbara Bakes said...

I love this recipe. My garden hasn't produced a single zucchini yet, but when it does I'll be ready. Thanks!

Debbie said...

I just use whatever so I am no help to you. My kids will eat any chocolate!

chow and chatter said...

these look great great way to get your veggies he he

Dajana said...

Here it is, I'm sure you'll find it interesting:
http://chocolateandzucchini.com/

Heidi said...

Those look great. I will be trying them out on my family. This week we will start getting zucchini by the truck load out of our garden so I will post the best zucchini bread recipe I have ever eaten. If you are looking for a great way to use that zucchini up keep your eye out because that bread is awesome :)

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

No calories in just dreaming about these delicious cupcakes:D

BarbaraJean said...

Oh, my! These look so delicious. Wish I had one to eat with my coffee this morning. I would love to have some of your extra zuccini.

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

I am making these over the weekend! I love anything with zucchini in it!!!

Your recipes are always fabulous!

chow and chatter said...

i have an award for you on my blog LOL

Shay Renee said...

Okay, I just made these muffins but I didn't have cocoa so I used hot chocolate powder instead and reduced the sugar by 1/2 cup. They turned out delicious! I haven't frosted them yet and I'm not even sure if I will. They're really good just as they are. Oh and I used the extra fine grater for the zucchini. Thanks for the recipe!

rhonda said...

That looks wonderful. I have a zucchini and needed to use it up and guess what I am making tonight. yummy yummy! Thanks for all your fun reciepies :)

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