What to do with those large zucchinis people so generously give
away this time of year? You make a zucchini layer cake. This was a large cake,
I froze it for those times when the cake maker shuts down and Jim turns to
saltines. Appearances can be deceiving; I am not a perpetual baker.
It tasted like spice cake and I could not have guessed it
was a zucchini cake. The zucchini strands were indistinguishable; kids will not
know they are eating a vegetable. Olivia picked the raisins out and lined them
up on her plate as evidence of my betrayal. The frosting was reminiscent of a lighter
cheese cream frosting. The cake had a lovely crumb, but sliced much easier after
I chilled it. I jumped the gun a bit, hence the large slice. It took Jim and me
two teatime snacks to finish it. Adapted from a nut version on CHOW, I decided
the cake batter needed the addition of buttermilk. It turned out lovely and I will
make this again.
ZUCCHINI LAYER CAKE
Cake:
3 cups cake flour
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
4 eggs
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups grated zucchini
1-1/2 cups of mixed golden and dark raisins
1 cup plain full fat Greek yoghurt
Frosting:
3/4 cup unsalted butter, soft
3 cups icing sugar
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup plain full fat Greek yogurt
- For the cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Fully line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl and set aside.
- Add the zucchini and the raisins and stir until evenly mixed throughout.
- Beat the eggs, sugars, oil, and vanilla until well blended.
- Alternatively add the egg mixture and the buttermilk to the flour mixture.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
- Bake in the preheated oven until for 40 to 45 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Transfer the cakes to a wire rack to cool.
- Meanwhile prepare the frosting.
- Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add the vanilla, lemon juice and the salt.
- Add the yogurt gradually until evenly combined.
- Place a layer on a platter and spread on top 1/3 of the frosting.
- Place the second cake on the top and spread the top and sides with frosting.
- Chill the cake before slicing.
