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Cozy One-Bowl Brown Sugar Zucchini Cake Recipe with Easy Cinnamon Frosting

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A simple, nostalgic one-bowl zucchini cake sweetened with brown sugar and topped with a creamy cinnamon frosting. Perfect for cozy autumn afternoons or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups (330 g) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil (neutral oil like canola preferred)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups grated zucchini (about 2 medium zucchinis), squeezed to remove excess moisture
  • For the Cinnamon Frosting:
  • 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 4 tablespoons (57 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your 9×13 inch pan with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Grate the zucchini using a box grater and press out excess moisture with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir to distribute evenly.
  4. Add vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Mix until just combined; the batter will be thick and sticky.
  5. Gently fold in the grated zucchini, ensuring even distribution without over-mixing.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
  7. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Remove from oven and cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before frosting.
  9. To make the cinnamon frosting, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Beat until light and fluffy.
  10. Spread the cinnamon frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Slice and serve.

Notes

If batter feels too thick, add up to 2 tablespoons of milk to loosen. Always squeeze out excess moisture from zucchini to avoid soggy cake. Start checking cake doneness at 40 minutes with a toothpick test. Frost only after cake is completely cooled to prevent melting.

Nutrition

Keywords: zucchini cake, brown sugar cake, cinnamon frosting, one-bowl cake, easy dessert, cozy cake, autumn dessert

Find it online: https://piperplate.com/cozy-one-bowl-brown-sugar-zucchini-cake-recipe-with-easy-cinnamon-frosting/