A Zucchini Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist, flavorful cake with just the right hint of warm spices—and the zucchini keeps it tender without being detectable. The tangy cream cheese frosting brings it all together.
🥒 Zucchini Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Servings: 9–12 | Time: 60 minutes
🎂 Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves (optional)
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
- ¾ cup (180ml) vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups (about 250g) grated zucchini (no need to peel)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ½ cup raisins or shredded coconut (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
🧁 Instructions
1. Prep the Oven and Pan
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).
- Grease and line a 9×9 inch (23 cm) pan or use a 9×13 inch pan for a thinner cake.
2. Make the Cake Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
- In another bowl, whisk oil, eggs, sugars, and vanilla until smooth.
- Stir wet ingredients into the dry mix until just combined.
- Fold in grated zucchini and optional nuts, raisins, or coconut.
3. Bake
- Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake 35–40 minutes (9×9 pan) or 25–30 minutes (9×13 pan) or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely before frosting.
4. Make the Frosting
- Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy and spreadable.
5. Assemble
- Spread frosting evenly over cooled cake.
- Sprinkle with chopped nuts or a dash of cinnamon for decoration (optional).
🔄 Variations
- Muffins: Bake in muffin tins (18–22 minutes).
- Loaf version: Use a loaf tin and bake 50–60 minutes.
- Healthier swap: Sub half the oil with applesauce or Greek yogurt.