Zucchini-Pecan Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

A moist and flavorful cake made with freshly grated zucchini and crunchy pecans, topped with a rich cinnamon-spiced cream cheese frosting. This delightful dessert combines warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg with the subtle sweetness of brown sugar.

8 servings
2 hr 30 min

Ingredients

  • 1 spray Nonstick vegetable oil spray
  • cups all purpose flour
  • teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¾ cup olive oil
  • 1 cup golden brown sugar
  • 3 whole large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cups coarsely grated zucchini
  • ¾ cup chopped pecans
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cooking Instructions

  1. 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.

    10 min

  2. 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.

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool cake completely in pan on rack, about 1 hour.

    105 min

  4. 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.

    15 min

  5. 5.

    Cut cake into wedges and serve.

    5 min

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