Old Fashioned Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Old Fashioned Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting ~ a classic that’s a classic for a reason, this moist zucchini walnut cake is delicious even without the generous layer of fluffy cream cheese buttercream!

Some people can’t control themselves around ice cream, others have issues with chocolate…for me, it’s old fashioned zucchini cake with cream cheese frosting.  If nobody is watching I might will eat the whole pan.

A zucchini sheet cake is a welcomed sight at any time of year, it’s one of those one size fits all desserts ~ wherever hungry people are gathered, zucchini cake just works.

And anyway, who doesn’t like to grate zucchini?   Unlike those knuckle busting nuggets of Parm, zucchini  slides across the grater with ease and before you know it, you’ve got a big pile of feathery green shreds.  I like to use small zucchini when I bake because the extra peel equals more color and flavor.  Large zucchini with their vast white interiors can be bland and watery.

Fold in a couple of cups of shredded zucchini into the simple batter, along with a cup of nuts.  I think walnuts are key to a great zucchini cake, but you can absolutely leave them out if you like, or substitute pecans.

The crowning glory of this zucchini cake is the tangy cream cheese buttercream frosting.  It’s made with softened cream cheese, softened butter, sugar, vanilla, and a squeeze of fresh lemon.  Gob.   it.   on.

Moist zucchini cake keeps well, but because of the buttery cream cheese frosting I would refrigerate it if you plan to keep it for more than a day.

This luxe zucchini cake knocks it out of the park, I hope you give it a try, and be sure to let me know how it goes in the comments!

Other old fashioned cakes to try ~

My Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Cake has been one of the most popular cakes on the blog this summer and I’m not surprised, it disappeared from my kitchen in record time…I think it has something to do with that thick caramel frosting.

Strawberry Buttermilk Cake ~ this simple cake can be changed up with different fruits, and has become another reader favorite.

Apple Cider Doughnut Cake ~ is it fall yet?  Because I can’t wait to make this pillowy soft bundt cake again.

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3.1 from 132 votes

Old Fashioned Zucchini Cake

Old Fashioned Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting ~ a classic that's a classic for a reason, this moist zucchini walnut cake is delicious even without the generous layer of fluffy cream cheese buttercream!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, Southern

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups lightly packed shredded zucchini
• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts

frosting

• 8 ounces cream cheese completely soft
• 3 ounces 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, soft
• 3 cups confectioner's sugar
• lemon juice about 1 Tbsp

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350F Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.
• In a large mixing bowl whisk together the oil, sugar, eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth.
• Toss together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, and add the bowl. Mix just until completely blended. Fold in the zucchini and the nuts.
• Turn the batter into your prepared pan and bake for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out without wet batter clinging to it (moist crumbs are fine.) Some ovens run hot or cool, so check carefully.
• Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
• To make the frosting beat the cream cheese and butter together until fluffy. Add the lemon juice and the sugar, one cup at a time, while beating. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add more sugar if the frosting is too thin, and a little more lemon juice or milk if it is too thick.