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“It was everything you (and several comments) promised! I’ve passed it on to my sisters, who’ve become your followers, too, just because of this cake (and its frosting)!” ~Nancy
blueberry zucchini cake is a feast for the senses
You might have seen I am Baker’s cake around, it’s a stunner. Amanda’s blueberry zucchini cake is a gorgeous 2 layers, fit for a celebration, but in true tvfgi style, I turned it into a casual blueberry zucchini sheet cake. No less scrumptious, just a little more user friendly. Eat it with your hands, in your lap, off a paper napkin, whateves, but definitely try it, it’s absolutely delish.
what you’ll need
- eggs
- vegetable oil
- vanilla extract
- granulated and confectioner’s sugar
- shredded zucchini
- all purpose flour
- salt, baking powder, and baking soda
- blueberries
- butter
- fresh lemon juice
best pan for a blueberry zucchini cake
Instead of using round cake pans, I baked the batter in my 9×13 USA pan, I love it, it’s got a wonderful heft to it, and cooks nice and evenly. I don’t like to bake in glass if I can avoid it because it tends to cook hot, and the edges can get overdone. I used this pan to bake my favorite Pecan Praline Pumpkin Cake and my Brown Sugar Peach Cake, too, and I’m always thrilled with the results.
BAKING TIP: Converting a layer cake to a 9×13 pan is easy — since the depth of the batter will be comparable, there are no changes necessary except to watch the baking time carefully. It will probably take a little longer in the 9×13 pan, so check with a toothpick to be sure.
how to make a blueberry zucchini cake
- Whisk the wet ingredients together in a large mixing bowl, then fold in the shredded zucchini.
- Whisk the dry ingredients together in a small bowl and then fold into the wet ingredients, just enough to combine.
- Fold in the blueberries and bake.
- The batter is luxurious and silky — and since it uses oil in place of butter it’s super easy to throw together. I made sure to rearrange my blueberries after filling the pan so they would be evenly distributed throughout the cake.
the lemon buttercream is the icing on the cake!
This blueberry zucchini cake is moist, dense, and delicious, but I think it’s the lemon buttercream that has my taste buds doing a jig. I love it, so I made sure to lay it on nice and thick.
BAKING TIP: I blended the lemon buttercream up in my food processor (fitted with the metal blade) rather than using my electric hand beaters like I usually do, and I loved the result. It was easier, less messy, and the frosting came out super smooth and creamy. It’s my go to method from now on.
I love my USA 9×13 pan, it’s sturdy, nonstick, and has a great solid feel to it. USA pans have no bells and whistles, they’re just good quality, durable cookware. My cakes cook up more evenly in this aluminized steel, with no overcooked edges like I sometimes get with glass. USA makes a whole line of bakeware and I’m slowly replacing all my pans. Plus, they’re made in the USA!
Blueberry Zucchini Cake with Lemon Buttercream
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups sugar
- 2 cups shredded zucchini
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 pint blueberries, tossed in 1 tsp flour
lemon buttercream
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Set oven to 350F
- Lightly grease and flour a 9×13 baking pan.
- Beat the eggs, oil, vanilla and sugar until well blended. Fold in the zucchini.
- Whisk the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda to combine. Slowly add it to the wet mixture, mixing just enough to blend.
- Fold in the blueberries, and pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for about 50 minutes, just until the top is turning golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out without wet batter clinging to it. Cool on a rack.
- To make the frosting, put the softened butter into the bowl of a food processor and process until creamy. Add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, processing till smooth after each addition. After the second cup of sugar add in the lemon juice. Scrape down the sides of the machine as necessary. Adjust the texture by adding a little more lemon or a little more sugar.
- Frost the cooled cake and store in the refrigerator.
Video
Notes
- Reader Lillia reports in the comments below that this cake can easily be made gluten free using King Arthur’s Measure for Measure Gluten Free Flour.
- I felt that this blueberry zucchini snack cake was at its best chilled, so I kept ours in the refrigerator. The frosting is butter-rich, so especially in warm weather this makes sense, and the texture of the chilled frosting is out of this world.
- For all your chocoholics out there, you really need to check out my Cold Chocolate Snacking Cake ~ it’s meant to be eaten straight from the fridge, and I guarantee you won’t be able to control yourself around it
Nutrition
Awesome recipe!!! I made this today for Father’s Day and everyone loved it. The fact that it has zucchini in it made us all feel better about taking a second piece 🙂 The recipe was awesome and I can’t wait to try some of the healthy alternatives that people have suggested. Thanks so much for sharing!!
You’re so welcome Kristin!
So I (sort of ) made this the other day, but wanted more of a guilt-free breakfast cake so I cut down on the sugar. I ended up using 1c of sugar, 4c of frozen garden zucchini (which I thawed and squeezed the water from), and a dash of lemon extract. I had it plain and it was good! When I served some for the family later I mixed 4T melted butter with about 1c powdered sugar, lemon juice, a bit of whipping cream, and lemon extract for the icing. So yummy!
I made this cake for the second time…It was even more delicious than the first! This time I shared it with my coworkers, who ate, not just one piece, but several in one sitting! I believe my favorite part of making the cake is shredding the zucchini… it’s tender, light and a healthy option! Thanks for sharing!
You’re so welcome Jonetta!
I make a cream cheese frosting instead of buttercream and added in lemon zest with the lemon juice. It was fantastic!
Sounds great!
Made this last night and it was amazing! I opted to use half applesauce and half oil and it was still amazing!! The frosting is TO DIE FOR!!!!!!
Thanks Lauren, I’ll try it with applesauce next time 🙂
excellent – that’s just what I was wondering. Gonna try it!
I made the cake and finished it with crumb topping for a coffee cake. OMG it is so good.
Thanks Laura, I’m so glad you enjoyed it, I’m heading over to your blog now…
I hate zucchini. It’s nasty. BUT THIS CAKE…OH MY SWEET LOVING JESUS. The absolutely BEST way to use up those obnoxiously large garden “gifts” from all the neighbors. THANK YOU for making zucchini useful in my home!
You made me laugh out loud Ashley, thanks!
And now you need to try my fried zucchini…
I was so excited to try this recipe. I love the cake portion, but have to say I do not like the frosting at all! Way to tart and there is way too much of it.
Not a keeper : (
Sorry it didn’t work out for you, Alyson, the frosting is definitely for lemon lovers 🙂
I made it this afternoon exactly as written except I reduced the confectioner’s sugar to 3 1/4 cups and didn’t toss the blueberries in any flour. It was a big big hit and the lemon frosting was to die for! The cake was oh so moist! I only needed to bake it for 43 mins. in the stoneware 9 x 13 baking dish I had. I love the fact that I can bake it in the 9 x 13 rather than fuss w/the 2 round baking pans. Easier for large gatherings, etc.
Oh and I used organic Sunflower Oil in lieu of vegetable oil…
Thanks for the comment Sandy, you make me want to make it again…that frosting!!!!!
Do you squeeze the water out of the shredded zuchinni first?
I don’t, but if you happen to get some really watery zucchini you could dry it with paper towels.
Has anyone tried this with avacado oil or almond flour or both? Just curious. This looks delicious, I will be trying this soon!