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Zucchini-Pecan Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

4.2

(26)

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Zucchini-Pecan Cake with Cream Cheese FrostingNigel Cox

Carrot cake was the inspiration for this delicious dessert. Grated zucchini, which makes the cake extra-moist, takes the place of the carrots.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    2 hours 35 minutes

  • Yield

    Makes 10 servings

Ingredients

Cake:

Nonstick vegetable oil spray
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup olive oil (not extra-virgin)
1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups coarsely grated zucchini (about 8 ounces)
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Frosting:

1/2 8-ounce package Philadelphia brand cream cheese (do not use reduced-fat or fat-free), room temperature
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preparation

  1. For cake:

    Step 1

    Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Line 9-inch-diameter cake pan with 2-inch-high sides with parchment paper. Coat parchment paper with nonstick spray.

    Step 2

    Whisk flour, baking powder, coarse salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in medium bowl to blend well. Whisk oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in large bowl to blend well; fold in flour mixture, then grated zucchini and pecans. Transfer cake batter to prepared pan.

    Step 3

    Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool cake completely in pan on rack, about 1 hour. Cut around sides of pan to loosen. Turn cake out onto platter; peel off parchment paper.

  2. For frosting:

    Step 4

    Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter in medium bowl until blended. Beat in sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Spread frosting thickly over top of cake. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

    Step 5

    Cut cake into wedges and serve.

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