Chocolate Zucchini Sweet Potato Cake with a Glaze
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield: 12 servings
Category: Dessert
Description:
This Chocolate Zucchini Sweet Potato Cake is the perfect balance of wholesome vegetables and indulgent cocoa. With zucchini, sweet potato, dried cherries, and a hint of rum, this cake is a healthy yet decadent treat. Its rich flavor is complemented by a smooth glaze, making it a delightful dessert for any occasion. The combination of buckwheat flour, cinnamon, and chocolate chips ensures each bite is both comforting and full of surprises.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 1/4 cup |
| Buckwheat flour | 2 1/2 cups |
| Salt | 1/2 tsp |
| Baking soda | 1 tsp |
| Baking powder | 1 tsp |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 tsp |
| Eggs | 1 1/2 |
| Brown sugar | 3/4 cup |
| Honey | 1/2 cup |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
| Buttermilk | 1 1/2 cups |
| Zucchini (shredded) | 1 cup |
| Sweet potato (cooked and mashed) | 1 cup |
| Dried cherries | 1/2 cup |
| Dark rum | 1 tbsp |
| Hot water | 1/4 cup |
| Pecans (chopped) | 1/2 cup |
| Chocolate chips | 2/3 cup |
| Powdered sugar | 1 cup |
| Water | 2 tbsp |
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 546.1 kcal |
| Fat | 20.1 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2.9 g |
| Cholesterol | 53.3 mg |
| Sodium | 376.7 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 86.1 g |
| Fiber | 2.3 g |
| Sugars | 59.1 g |
| Protein | 5.7 g |
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC).
- Prepare the pan: Lightly butter and flour a bundt pan, ensuring that the cake can easily release once baked.
- Sift the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, buckwheat flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and ground cinnamon. Set the mixture aside for later use.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the vegetable oil, brown sugar, and honey. Beat these ingredients until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, continuing to mix until fully incorporated.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture. As the dry ingredients begin to blend in, pour in the buttermilk and mix until the batter is smooth and even.
- Add the vegetables and fruit: Gently stir in the shredded zucchini, mashed sweet potato, dried cherries, rum, hot water, chopped pecans, and chocolate chips. Mix until all the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour and bake: Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan, smoothing it out to ensure an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cake: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully invert the cake onto a cake dish and allow it to cool completely.
- Prepare the glaze: While the cake cools, make the glaze by combining powdered sugar and water in a small bowl. Stir until the glaze is smooth and free of lumps.
- Glaze the cake: Once the cake has cooled, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top of the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides for a beautiful finish.
- Serve and enjoy: Slice the cake into 12 portions and serve. The richness of the cake combined with the sweetness of the glaze makes for a perfect dessert to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee.
Recipe Notes:
- The zucchini and sweet potato in this cake keep it moist and add a subtle, earthy flavor, making it a perfect dessert for those looking to incorporate more vegetables into their diet without sacrificing taste.
- If you donโt have buckwheat flour, you can substitute it with whole wheat flour for a different texture and flavor.
- For a nuttier twist, feel free to use walnuts instead of pecans.
- The rum adds a slight depth of flavor, but it can be omitted for a non-alcoholic version.
Rating:
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ (5 out of 5) based on 7 reviews.
This Chocolate Zucchini Sweet Potato Cake is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients from vegetables, making it an indulgent yet somewhat wholesome treat. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or enjoying a quiet afternoon, this cake is sure to impress with its rich flavor and comforting texture.
