Zucchini Chocolate Cake

Thanks to Megan for letting me know about this delicious recipe for Zucchini Chocolate Cake - actually, the recipe (from Allrecipes) is called Zucchini Brownies, but they're not as dense as I would consider a brownie to be - Zucchini Chocolate Cake seems more appropriate.  The zucchini is undetectable (in fact, Annie, my 6-year-old told me I was mistaken when I talked about zucchini in the recipe), the flavor is awesome, and the leftover cake was still moist after sitting on my counter for 2 days (believe me, it will not last longer than that). Definitely do not skip the frosting because it is simply delicious on these. My daughter thought that chocolate chips would be a nice addition to the batter and I agree. Who can argue with more chocolate? I even froze a few 2-cup portions of grated zucchini so I could make this again when the winter doldrums start to settle in. Just remember to pour yourself a tall glass of milk and you'll be in chocolate heaven!


Zucchini Chocolate Cake
adapted from Marian's Zucchini Brownie recipe on AllRecipesYields: 24 servings

For the Cake:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups finely shredded zucchini

For the frosting:
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup butter
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


DIRECTIONS:

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
2.In a large bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, baking soda and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. It will be VERY thick. Fold in the zucchini until well incorporated. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
3.Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until brownies spring back when gently touched.

To make the frosting, melt together the 6 tablespoons of cocoa and butter; set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, blend together the confectioners' sugar, milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in the cocoa mixture. Spread over cooled cake.