Chocolate Zucchini Spice Cake with Pecans

Serve with Chocolate, Citrus or Peach Orange Glaze

© Renee Shelton

Dec 2, 2008

This makes a nice spice cake and can be served with a chocolate glaze, or with one of the two glazes listed with this recipe: Citrus Glaze or Peach Orange Glaze.

Orange Scented Chocolate Zucchini Spice Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 c all-purpose flour
• 1/2 c cocoa powder, sifted
• 1/2 c chopped pecans
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 c unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 c sugar
• 3/4 c liquid egg substitute (such as Egg-Beaters or Better’n Eggs)
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp pure orange extract
• 1 tsp finely grated orange zest
• 1 c buttermilk
• 2 Tbsp orange flavored liqueur, such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau, optional
• 2 c finely shredded zucchini, drained

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a Bundt or similar tube pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour, cocoa, nuts, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices together. Set aside.
3. In the bowl of a stand up mixer, cream the butter and sugar together. Alternately, use a hand beater and a mixing bowl. In a stream pour in the liquid egg substitute a little bit at a time until all the eggs are incorporated.
4. Mix the vanilla and orange extracts, grated orange zest and the orange liqueur into the buttermilk and stir. Pour into the butter mixture and scrape the bottom well. Take the shredded zucchini and place in a colander or a sieve. Press down to remove as much liquid as possible. Add this to the batter and mix until everything is incorporated.
5. Remove the mixing bowl from the mixer and add the wet batter to the dry ingredients. Stir until combined. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for about 1 hour or until the center tests clean.
6. Let cool in pan for slightly before unmolding.

Citrus GlazeUse orange juice or lemon juice for this icing.

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 Tbsp lemon or orange juice

Procedure:

1. Mix together in a small bowl until well combined. Drizzle over the top of the cake while the cake is still warm.

Peach Orange Glaze

Apricot jam may substituted for the peach jam or jelly.

• 1 cup strained peach jam, or use jelly
• 1 Tbsp orange flavored liqueur, such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau

Procedure:

1. Melt the jelly or jam in a small stainless steel saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add in liqueur and combine well.
3. Use while still warm and brush or drizzle over the top of the cake.

For a plain version of this cake with no spice or nuts, try the Moist Orange Scented Chocolate Zucchini Cake. Included is a recipe for the Fat Free Chocolate Glaze made with orange blossom honey.

Chocolate Zucchini Spice Cake With Chocolate Icing

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