Zucchini Cake Pioneer Woman Food

ZUCCHINI BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease two 5-by-9-inch loaf pans with cooking spray.
• In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Mix the sugar, oil and beaten eggs in a separate bowl and add to the flour mixture. Stir in the grated zucchini, coconut, nuts and cherries.
• Pour the batter into the loaf pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool for 10 minutes before removing the loaves from the pans. Turn the breads out onto wire racks to cool completely.

ZUCCHINI QUINOA CAKES

Steps:

• For the zucchini quinoa cakes: In a small saucepot, bring 1/2 cup water to a boil. Add the quinoa and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook until all the water is absorbed and the quinoa is cooked, 10 to 12 minutes. Spread onto a baking sheet to cool, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, grate the zucchini and squash. Transfer to a kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
• In a large bowl, mix together the cooled quinoa, grated zucchini and squash, chives, dill, mustard, garlic and lemon zest. Add the flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper and eggs and mix together well.
• Heat the olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet until hot. Spoon nine 2 tablespoon-size scoops of the batter into the skillet and flatten slightly. Cook until golden on the bottom, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on the other side. Remove to a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining batter.
• For the herbed yogurt: Mix together the yogurt, dill, parsley, salt, pepper and lemon zest in a medium bowl.
• Transfer the cakes to a platter, top with a dollop of the herbed yogurt and garnish with a sprig of dill.
• To make the cakes in advance: Place the cakes on a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven at 170 degrees F for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.

CHOCOLATE-ZUCCHINI CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch-square cake pan. Dust the pan with flour, tapping out the excess.
• Toss 1/2 cup chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon flour in a small bowl. Whisk the remaining flour, the cocoa powder, salt, baking soda and nutmeg in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Beat the sugar, 1/2 cup olive oil, the eggs and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until smooth and pale, about 3 minutes. Add the flour-cocoa mixture; beat on low speed until combined, about 2 minutes (the batter will be thick). Add the zucchini and beat until combined, about 2 more minutes. Fold in the flour-coated chocolate chips with a wooden spoon.
• Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely.
• Make the glaze: Combine the remaining 1/3 cup chocolate chips, 1 teaspoon olive oil and the honey in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium-high power in 30-second intervals, stirring, until the chocolate is melted. Spread over the cake, then cut into pieces.

ZUCCHINI CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• Beat eggs, sugar and oil.
• Add sifted dry ingredients, zucchini, carrots, nuts and vanilla.
• Pour into a greased Bundt pan. Bake at 350 deg. for 45 min to 1 hour. The top will be golden and may crack a little -- that's okay!
• Let cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar.