This Vegan Chocolate Zucchini Cake is not only vegan, but it’s filled with zucchini and topped with a light and fluffy dairy free buttercream icing.
Every time I make a cake I declare that is my new favorite cake, and this chocolate zucchini cake is no exception. Also—and this is very sad—but I’m counting this as my St. Patty’s Day recipe. …..because of the zucchini. IT’S GREEN, so it counts.
Here’s the truth: I actually make cookies with green icing, but I used natural food dye and it wasn’t good, so I opted to not post those cookies and to post this cake instead. What’s natural food dye, you ask? It’s food dye—or food coloring—made out of vegetables! SO FUN, right? Wrong. I won’t get too into it since that’s not the recipe you’re currently staring at, but basically the food dye tasted ok, but the texture was water-y, even when I added extra powered sugar.
Anyway, this cake is pure perfection and way better than vegetable-icing cookies. Trust me. HOWEVER, there is zucchini in this cake, because I was really, really going for that not-so-obvious St. Patty’s recipe. Also because zucchini bread is such a thing, but zucchini cake is not. WHY?
When I originally set out to make this cake, I wanted it to be a one layer cake, plain and simple. Well, the cake didn’t rise as much as I’d hoped, so I oped for a 3 layer cake instead. But, the layers are thin, and I didn’t cover the whole cake in icing which, as it turns out, is WAY easier and less time consuming, so it’s still a fairly “light” cake if you will. I have to say “light” because there’s a good amount of buttercream, so I’m not sure a how light it can truly be.
I topped this cake with chocolate candies, which aren’t vegan, but you can easily sub them for chopped dairy free chocolate instead! If you’re looking for an easy way to sneak veggies into your dessert, this vegan chocolate zucchini cake is IT!
PrintVegan Chocolate Zucchini Cake with Buttercream Icing
- Prep Time: 45 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 mins
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 2 1/4 cup cane sugar
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 3 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 1/4 cup almond milk
- 3/4 cup applesauce
- 2 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups zucchini, shredded
- For the buttercream:
- 1 cup dairy free butter
- 3 tbsp almond milk
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl; then, add milk, applesauce, vinegar, and vanilla to that same bowl and stir with an electric mixer until combined.
- Last, stir in the zucchini by hand.
- Grease three 8″ cake pans with coconut oil and divide the batter evenly amongst the pans. Bake the cakes for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cakes to sit in the pans for 10 minutes, and then run a knife along the edges of the cake and carefully invert them onto a cooling rack. Wait until cakes have completely cooled before icing them.
- For the buttercream: cream butter and milk together, then add cocoa and powdered sugar. You want the icing to be thick but still spreadable. If it seems too thick, add 1 tbsp milk. If it seems too thin, add 1/4 cup powdered sugar.
- To assemble: use a serrated knife to remove domes off of the cakes, then scoop a large dollop of icing onto the first cake and spread it; then place the second cake on top of that cake and repeat that same step. Top the final layer with chocolate chips or chopped chocolate, if you want.
- Enjoy!
Is it possible to make this with almond flour instead of all purpose flour?
★★★★
hi! I haven’t tried it with almond flour and I’m not sure what the measurements would be–sorry!
Love this chocolate! Also, be sure to check the ingredients, as some brands’ dark-chocolate bars still contain dairy products.
Mira Edorra recently posted…Trundle Beds – A Comprehensive Guide
★★★★★
Wow! Such a delicious and gorgeous cake. I love the presentation as well. Can’t wait to try this for the kids. Thanks!
★★★★★
Enjoy your blog very much ! Thank you for sharing this beauty with us !
2pots2cook recently posted…Croissant Muffins (Cruffins) with Earl Grey Cream
★★★★★
Wow this cake looks super delicious! My son would love this cake so much! I am gonna try for him. Wish me best of luck!
Alicia recently posted…Best Copper Cookware Set Reviews for 2018: Top Models Recommended
★★★★★
OMG! It looks amazing! Next party I`m treating everyone!
★★★★★
That cake looks INCREDIBLE! I can’t wait to try out the recipe. Since the cake counts for St. Patty’s day because of the zucchini, then I count it as also being healthy because it’s made with a vegetable – that way I won’t feel so bad when I indulge!