All Latest

Posted: 07/24/2021

Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Name: Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon salt; freshly grated nutmeg to taste, optional; 1 pinch ginger, optional; 3 tablespoons vegetable oil; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 2 cups grated unpeeled zucchini (remove seeds if the zucchini is large); 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice, drained (reserve juice in case you need it for the cake batter or frosting); 8 ounces cream cheese; 2 tablespoons butter, softened; 2 cups powdered sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; splash of milk or pineapple juice, if necessary

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes ★★★★★ 6 Reviews Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my privacy & disclosures.

Moist and addictive, this Zucchini Cake is filled with zucchini, pineapple and coconut and is topped off with a silky cream cheese frosting.

PIN IT FOR LATER!

Oh, how I love a good, easy cake! This Zucchini Cake is one of my summertime favorites, but you should also try this Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, Tres Leches Cake, or the easiest one of all, this Dump Cake.

THE BEST ZUCCHINI CAKE

When I think of zucchini cake, I know I want one that is tender and moist. This zucchini cake is exactly that. The pineapple not only adds great flavor, but it keeps lots of moisture in the cake. And the cream cheese frosting is the perfect addition to this perfect summer cake!

If you are drowning in zucchini, this is one recipe you definitely want to make!

INGREDIENTS

Here is what you need for the cake:

Flour
Sugar
Coconut
Baking Soda
Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Ginger
Salt
Vegetable Oil
Eggs
Vanilla
Grated Zucchini
Crushed Pineapple

And here is what you need for the frosting:

Cream Cheese
Butter
Powdered Sugar
Vanilla

HOW TO MAKE ZUCCHINI CAKE

Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk together.
Combine the wet ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Mix until mostly combined. It will feel dry at this point.
Add the zucchini and pineapple. Stir to combine.
Pour into a baking pan that has been greased or lined with parchment paper.
Bake!

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Cream cheese frosting is super easy to make!

Beat the cream cheese and butter together until they are light and fluffy.
Add the powdered sugar and beat to combine, then add the vanilla.
Beat until you have reached your desired consistency.

I like to keep this cream cheese frosting less stiff or set up. I like the creaminess with this cake, so I’ll add in a bit of milk, or some of the pineapple juice. If you want the frosting on the stiffer side, just don’t add the extra liquid.

TIPS AND TRICKS

*The first time I made this cake, the batter was really runny. But other times it will be thicker. It all depends on your zucchini. If you have a large zucchini, you may need to scoop the seeds out. If you have small zucchini, I just leave the seeds in. I don’t usually let the zucchini drain, but you can do that as well if you are worried about too much moisture.

*I do drain the pineapple, though. Save the pineapple juice for if you need to thin out the frosting. It gives great flavor!

*This zucchini cake does need to be stored in the refrigerator if you aren’t going to be eating it right away, or if you have extras. It is actually my favorite to have a cold slice out of the refrigerator, though!

*If you want to freeze this cake, it will work best if you do it before you frost the cake.

More Zucchini Recipes

Zucchini Muffins
Zucchini Cobbler Bars
Zucchini Bread Recipe
Glazed Lemon Poppy Seed Zucchini Bread
Chocolate Wave Zucchini Bread

Looking for more free recipes?

Subscribe to my free recipe newsletter to get new family friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing more family-friendly inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram.