Chocolate…

That grabbed your attention didn’t it?  I’d look at anything that started out with the word chocolate too.  As life has been speeding by around here, this blog has been left in the dust.  School has taken on a mind of it’s own filling our days and adding a new baby into the mix has left many other things neglected.  I’ve got a ton of things to post, but I fear I am a little blogged out.  Slowly, but surely I shall return.  How about we start with something delicious? 

Do you know what you’re looking at in the picture above?  It’s a morsel of chocolate yumminess surrounded by a layer of crunchy, golden brown sugar.

That’s right.  You have got to make this chocolate cake.  Then eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Did I mention that it’s healthy for you?  Well, kind of healthy.  I mean it’s healthy because I put zucchini in it.  Does that help?Here’s another look at this little piece of heaven.  The inside is so incredibly spongy and moist that it just about melts in your mouth.

  Now go on, take a bite.  What are you waiting for?  An invitation?  You need the recipe?  Okay, I’ll share.  See that little shred of zucchini hanging down?  That’s what makes this cake healthy.  And the chocolate?  Well, that’s what makes the cake so pretty and flavorful.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

• 1/2 cup butter softened
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup sour milk (don’t have it? use 1 tsp vinegar, then add milk)
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 4 Tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Topping:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 6-10 ounces chocolate chips
• walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream together butter, oil, and sugar.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Mix in milk and dry ingredients.  Carefully fold in the zucchini.  Pour the mixture into a greased 9 x 13 pan.  For the topping mix brown sugar and chocolate chips together.  Then sprinkle over the top.  Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick or fork comes out clean. 

Thank you to my great friend, Regina for sharing this recipe with me.  It’s one of the best chocolate cake recipes I’ve tried!  Now go make this cake and then come back here and leave a comment telling me how wonderful or awful it was.