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You are here: Home / Desserts / Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes

Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes

September 2, 2022 Updated: September 22, 2022 By Leanne 46 Comments

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Pinterest image for Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes.

Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes are rich and fudgy chocolate cupcakes, with almost 2 cups of grated zucchini, cocoa and chocolate chips. Enjoy these zucchini cupcakes as a decadent muffin or top them with your favourite frosting!

I know, that seems like a lot of zucchini packed into 12 cupcakes, but I promise, you can’t taste it! Zucchini adds moisture to baked goods, so it makes these cupcakes extra soft and tender.

Chocolate cupcake on a cupcake wrapper with a bite taken out of it.

*This recipe was originally published in August 2018. It has been updated with new photos, text and adjustments to the recipe.

Zucchini season is in full swing here! While I don’t grow it myself, I always stock up at the farmer’s market. (When I’m not baking with it, I’m usually spiralizing it to make these zucchini noodle bowls)!

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • These zucchini cupcakes are oil-based and made without butter or milk, so they’re dairy-free. (Just make sure to use dairy-free frosting and chocolate chips).
  • You don’t need to press or drain the zucchini. Just shred it and add it to the batter. This helps create super moist chocolate cupcakes.
  • There’s no electric mixer required. All you need are a few bowls, a whisk and a spatula.
  • They taste so decadent, even without the frosting, as they have a rich and fudgy texture.

Details on the ingredients

Ingredients to make chocolate zucchini cupcakes arranged individually.

Zucchini – You’ll need 1 ¾ cups of grated zucchini. Just use the larger shredding holes on your box grater.

Cocoa – For a rich and chocolatey cupcake, the recipe calls for ½ cup of Dutch-processed cocoa. I haven’t tested this recipe with natural cocoa.

Flour – While I normally use whole wheat flour for much of my baking, I decided to use all-purpose white flour for these cupcakes. You’ll need 1 cup, spooned and levelled.

Oil – I like to use extra virgin olive oil in my baking, but you can use another type of oil like canola, avocado or olive oil.

Coconut sugar – This sweetener adds a rich, caramel flavour and is less refined than brown sugar. If you don’t have coconut sugar, you can substitute with lightly packed brown sugar. 

Cinnamon – You’ll love the hint of cinnamon in these cupcakes. It really enhances the chocolate flavour. 

Eggs – Two eggs will add moisture and help with leavening. Bring them to room temperature before whisking them with the other ingredients.

Vanilla – A full tablespoon is added to enhance the flavour of the other ingredients. Be sure to use real vanilla extract and not artificial.

Baking soda and baking powder – Both are used in combination for leavening.

Salt – Some fine sea salt is added as a flavour enhancer. You can also use kosher salt, if you prefer.

Chocolate chips – For extra chocolate flavour, I like to add 3 tablespoons of mini chocolate chips. You can leave them out if you prefer, but the chocolate chips melt into the muffins to create an extra fudgy texture.

How to make chocolate zucchini cupcakes

Preheat your oven to 325F and line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.

Whisk together your dry ingredients (except the chocolate chips).

In a separate large bowl, whisk together your eggs and then whisk in the remaining wet ingredients, adding the zucchini last.

Gradually, stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. (The batter will be thick).

Stir in the chocolate chips.

Collage of 4 images demonstrating how the dry ingredients and wet mixture come together to make the cupcake batter.

Divide the batter into the prepared muffin pan. (Each cup should be about ¾ full).

Cupcake batter divided into a muffin pan.

Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a muffin comes out clean.

Let cool completely. Enjoy them unfrosted (like muffins) or top with your favourite chocolate frosting. (One of my faves is this chocolate avocado frosting).

Cupcakes baked up in a muffin pan.

Frequently asked questions

How do you grate zucchini for cupcakes?

You’ll want the zucchini coarsely shredded so just use the larger shredding holes on a box grater (cheese grater). If you use the small holes and finely shred the zucchini, you will end up with too much. 

Do you need to squeeze the moisture out of the grated zucchini?

No, you don’t need to do this. The moisture will ensure these cupcakes are soft and tender. Plus, it saves time!

Do you need to peel zucchini before baking with it?

No, you can leave the skin on the zucchini. Just try to choose zucchini without any dents or scratches on the skin, and wash well before shredding. The skin is thin so it really isn’t noticeable in the cake.

Can this cupcake recipe be made into a zucchini cake?

I’ve only tested this recipe as cupcakes, but if you’re looking for a cake recipe, you can try this healthy chocolate zucchini cake!

Overhead view of cupcakes being topped with frosting.

Storage and freezing

Store these unfrosted chocolate cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay moist and tender for 3 days. If they’re frosted, store them in the fridge.

To freeze, place the unfrosted cupcakes in a freezer safe container in a single layer. They’ll last in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Let defrost at room temperature before frosting.

Key recipe tips

  • Bring your eggs to room temperature as they’ll mix together with the other ingredients more easily.
  • Don’t drain or press the water out of the grated zucchini. The moisture is needed in the batter.
  • When measuring the flour for this recipe, use the spoon and level method. I’ve also included the amount in the recipe card in grams.
  • When filling the cupcake pan, each cavity should be about ¾ full. 
  • The cupcakes should be fully cooled before frosting. If they’re still warm, the frosting will melt off.
Overhead view of zucchini cupcakes on a plate and topped with chocolate frosting.

More cupcake recipes

  • Vanilla Almond Flour Cupcakes
  • Pineapple Coconut Cupcakes
  • Flourless Ricotta Cupcakes

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below!

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Close up view of a chocolate zucchini cupcake with a bite taken out of it.

Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes

★★★★★ 5 from 12 reviews
  • Author: Leanne
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 22 minutes
  • Total Time: 37 minutes
  • Yield: 12 cupcakes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian
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Description

Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes are rich and fudgy chocolate cupcakes, with almost 2 cups of grated zucchini, cocoa and chocolate chips!


Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose white flour, spooned and levelled (or 125 grams)
  • 1/2 cup Dutch processed cocoa (or 45 grams), sifted if lumpy
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup coconut sugar (or 180 grams)
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (or 80 millilitres)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups coarsely grated zucchini (or 190 grams)
  • 3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips (dairy-free if necessary)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325F and line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
  2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  3. In a separate large bowl, whisk the eggs, then whisk in the coconut sugar, oil and vanilla. Stir in the zucchini.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring well after each addition.
  5. Stir in the chocolate chips.
  6. Divide the batter evenly into the 12 cupcake liners.
  7. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a tooth pick inserted into the middle of a cupcake comes out clean.
  8. Cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. Enjoy on their own or top with frosting like this avocado chocolate frosting.

Notes

  1. Bring your ingredients to room temperature as they’ll mix together more easily.
  2. Don’t drain or press the water out of the grated zucchini. The moisture is needed in the batter.
  3. You’ll want the zucchini coarsely shredded, so use the larger shredding holes on a box grater (cheese grater).
  4. You can substitute lightly packed brown sugar for the coconut sugar.
  5. When measuring the flour for this recipe, use the spoon and level method or weigh it.
  6. Use dairy-free chocolate chips and frosting to keep these cupcakes dairy-free.
  7. When filling the cupcake pan, each cavity should be about ¾ full.
  8. The cupcakes should be fully cooled before frosting. If they’re still warm, the frosting will melt off.
  9. Be sure to check out the other sections above the recipe card for more detailed advice and suggestions for making this recipe.

Keywords: zucchini cupcakes, chocolate cupcakes

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Filed Under: All Recipes, Dairy-Free, Desserts, Vegetarian

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Leslie Hancock says

    September 25, 2022 at 6:25 pm

    Ok, they are now cooked, cooked and sampled. Once called, they fell in the centre so they do not have a very attractive appearance. They taste ok but not outstanding.. on the whole, I have to wonder f maybe the ingredient proportions were not quite right as written.

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      September 27, 2022 at 9:54 pm

      Hi Leslie. I’m sorry the cupcake recipe didn’t work out for you. The recipe was tested multiple times with the measurements noted in the recipe card. The batter will be thick when incorporating the dry ingredients, but it won’t be very thick. If your batter was extremely thin, it may be from the moisture in the zucchini. Did you coarsely grate the zucchini? If it is finely grated, this will add too much zucchini to the batter, which could cause the batter to be thinner and the cupcakes to sink in the middle. I hope that helps. Thank you for providing your feedback.

      Reply
  2. Leslie Hancock says

    September 25, 2022 at 5:09 pm

    I have just put these in the oven and so cannot comment on taste but I found the batter to be extremely thin despite the recipe note that the batter would be very thick. Mine was thin to the point of runny and I wonder if the measurements noted in the recipe, which I followed EXACTLY are correct?

    Reply
  3. Dana says

    September 19, 2018 at 5:36 pm

    I’ve never been a big fan of Fall (mostly because I don’t like the shorter days—I need lots of sun!) but as I’m getting older I am finding that I am liking the season a little more. I think part of that is liking the summer humidity a lot less than I used to (haha!) and of course, Fall Baking is one of the best times of the year for us bakers!! These sound so wonderful Leanne and I love the cooconut whip topping! I’m not a huge fan of overly sweet buttercreams either and I often use coconut whip on cupcakes or carrot cake as well. I actually haven’t tried a chocolate coconut whip yet, I need to try that ASAP!!
    Sneaky zucchini is the best, isn’t it? Pinning and making these soon, sprinkles and all!! 😀

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      October 2, 2018 at 10:44 am

      Thanks Dana! I hope you get a chance to try these! The chocolate coconut whip is the best! Fall has always been my favourite time of year. While I love a warm summer day, by the time August rolls around, I’m longing for the changing season and cool fall days!

      Reply
  4. Kelly | Foodtasia says

    September 10, 2018 at 11:18 pm

    These are just beautiful! I can’t believe how healthy they are – I’d eat the whole batch!

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      September 16, 2018 at 9:09 am

      Thanks so much Kelly! It’s definitely hard to eat just one!

      Reply
  5. Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says

    September 9, 2018 at 9:31 pm

    I love virtual baby showers! So fun!! And these cupcakes look so chocolatey and decadent but with good got you ingredients! Yum 🙂

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      September 16, 2018 at 9:05 am

      Thanks Kelly! Yes, these cupcakes are the best of both worlds – some decadence with some wholesome ingredients!

      Reply
  6. Erin @ The Speckled Palate says

    September 9, 2018 at 10:24 am

    Leanne! These cupcakes are absolutely GORGEOUS and include so many things I love–zucchini, chocolate, gorgeous frosting and sprinkles! Seriously. So good, and I feel so flattered that y’all got together for this sweet surprise!

    Thank you so much for participating in this shower to welcome Baby Speckle—she and I feel so loved and supported! Now if there was a way for us to share all this food via the Internet so I could have a bite of everything, that would be amazing…

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      September 16, 2018 at 9:04 am

      Thanks Erin! I was happy to participate and celebrate the soon-to-be arrival of Baby Speckle! And yes, wouldn’t it be amazing to actually share all of this food! What a shower that would be! Hope you’re doing well!

      Reply
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Meet Leanne

Hey there! I'm Leanne and welcome to Crumb Top Baking. I'm a self-taught baker, home cook and food photographer, and I'm passionate about sharing recipes that help people eat a little healthier and find balance in the recipes they prepare for themselves and their families. Learn more about me and what you'll find on Crumb Top Baking....

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