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Have Garden Zucchinis? Make Zucchini Cake

Hello Friends! Today I am sharing a delicious homemade recipe to make zucchini cake. It’s similar to a traditional zucchini bread but with rich cream cheese icing. Have you heard about upgrading a muffin into a cupcake by topping it with icing? Well in this case, we are upgrading zucchini bread into zucchini cake 😉

I recently found a package of frozen shredded zucchini finding in the freezer. It was from last year’s garden and needed to be used up. Obviously my first instinct was dessert 😊

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this zucchini cake recipe.

 

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Homemade Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

This moist zucchini cake is a sweet way to use up garden zucchini — topped with creamy icing or served plain, it's a homestead favorite straight from the freezer to the oven.
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American, Homestead
Keyword cream cheese icing, garden zucchini, gluten-free zucchini cake, homemade dessert, homestead baking, summer dessert, zucchini cake, zucchini dessert

Equipment

  • Box grater or food processor for shredding zucchini
  • Mixing bowls
  • 9×13-inch baking pan
  • Wooden toothpick for doneness check
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Spatula or spoon for mixing

Ingredients

  • 3 cups Flour We use King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-free Flour
  • 1/2 tsp Baking powder
  • 1 tsp Baking sode
  • 2 tsp Ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 2 Eggs
  • 2 cups Finely shredded, unpeeled zucchini
  • 2 cups Sugar
  • 1/3 cup Cooking oil

Instructions

  • Prep and mix ingredients. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. In a medium bowl, combine shredded zucchini, eggs, sugar, and oil. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. (Or combine everything in one bowl if you're keeping it simple!)
  • Combine and bake. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just moistened — batter will be lumpy. Spoon into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 25–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Cool and frost (optional). Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack. Top with cream cheese icing, or serve as-is for a less sweet version.

Notes

  • Frozen zucchini tip: If using frozen shredded zucchini, do not drain the liquid — it keeps the cake moist.
  • Flour option: We use King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour, but regular all-purpose flour works too.
  • Optional topping: Cream cheese icing adds a rich finish, but the cake is delicious even without it.

Why We Love This Cake

Zucchini cake has quickly become a seasonal favorite in our home — it’s simple, sweet, and a wonderful way to use up the extra shredded zucchini from our summer garden. Whether it’s topped with a generous layer of cream cheese icing or served as-is with a cup of coffee, this cake never lasts long around here.

We love making use of what we have, and this recipe is one more reason to be grateful for a good harvest. If you’re looking for more ways to enjoy homegrown goodness, be sure to explore our dessert page for more homemade favorites.

More Ways to Use Garden Zucchini

If your garden is bursting with zucchini (or your neighbors keep leaving it on your porch 😄), here are a few other simple and delicious ways to use it up:

  • Zucchini Bread – A classic! Sweet and spiced, great for breakfast or snacks.

  • Zucchini Fritters – Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Perfect with sour cream or a dollop of homemade ranch.

  • Grilled Zucchini – Just a brush of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt makes for a quick, healthy side.

  • Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles) – A low-carb pasta alternative for simple weeknight dinners.

  • Stuffed Zucchini Boats – Fill with meat, cheese, or grains and bake for a hearty main dish.

  • Zucchini Muffins – A kid-friendly lunchbox treat that freezes well.

Zucchini is one of those humble vegetables that adapts to almost anything — and when you grow it yourself, every bite tastes even better. And we’d love to know — what’s your favorite way to incorporate homegrown zucchini into your meals?

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hello friends! i'm amanda

I’m here to share recipes and ideas to help others make their home a simple homemade homestead.

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