Zucchini Cupcakes Recipe

Zucchini Cupcakes Recipe Zucchini Cupcakes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Rating 5

I asked my grandmother for this recipe after trying these irresistible spice cupcakes at her home. I love their creamy caramel frosting. They're such a scrumptious dessert you actually forget you're eating your vegetables, too! —Virginia LaPierre, Greensboro Bend, Vermont

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Zucchini Cupcakes Recipe
  • Prep: 20 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling
  • Yield: 18-24 Servings
20 20 40

Ingredients

  • 3 eggs
  • 1-1/3 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1-1/2 cups shredded zucchini
  • CARAMEL FROSTING:
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter, cubed
  • 1/4 cup 2% milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-1/2 to 2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

  • In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, oil, orange juice and extract. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to egg mixture and mix well. Stir in zucchini.
  • Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.
  • For frosting, combine the brown sugar, butter and milk in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Cool to lukewarm.
  • Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until frosting reaches spreading consistency. Frost cupcakes. Yield: 1-1/2 to 2 dozen.

Nutritional Facts 1 serving (1 each) equals 244 calories, 9 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 37 mg cholesterol, 236 mg sodium, 39 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein.

Originally published as Zucchini Cupcakes in Taste of Home August/September 1997, p25

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Reviews for Zucchini Cupcakes

Zucchini Cupcakes Recipe

Zucchini Cupcakes

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(1-10) of 176 reviews

Reviewed on Feb. 16, 2013 by ojc0806

The frosting is heavenly!!! Great way to sneak veggies into the kids.

Reviewed on Nov. 07, 2012 by Roxyfox

I made these gluten free and sugar free, still very good!

Reviewed on Oct. 21, 2012 by AidansMama723

This was a great hit as treats my son's birthday party

Reviewed on Oct. 21, 2012 by AidansMama723

This was a great hit as treats my son's birthday party!

Reviewed on Sep. 19, 2012 by kcinto

Absolutely delicious!

Reviewed on Sep. 19, 2012 by taylorclan4us@yahoo.com

I seriously think these are THE BEST things that I have ever eaten! The cupcakes were so moist and yummy and the frosting... OH WOW!! Delicious :) If you leave them unfrosted, they are more like a muffin and are still very good. But really, though, you want the frosting!

Reviewed on Sep. 18, 2012 by greatmom4girls

Made this tonight! GREAT flavors, they blended so well! Thanks so much! These are so moist and delicious!

Reviewed on Sep. 15, 2012 by juliedont

This cupcake is so moist and delicious....I had to play with the frosting a bit to get it to the right consistency but the flavor is out of this world..

Reviewed on Sep. 08, 2012 by LindaAWilson

This is a great way to use zucchini from the garden. The last time I made them I substituted 1/4 c. of the oil with Lemon Olive Oil and added the zest of one lemon. Plus added about 1/2 c. soft cream cheese to the frosting. They disappeared. Yum!

Reviewed on Sep. 08, 2012 by mymarchcuties

These are probably the best cupcakes I have ever tasted! I have made them a lot over the last couple of years and always get rave reviews. The last time I made them, I did not have any orange juice but I did have apple juice so I used that instead. They were actually better which I did not think was possible. The apple juice changed the texture and they were much more moist and smooth. I dip the top of the cupcakes in the frosting when it is still warm and it makes a nice smooth finish as I do not like as much frosting as it shows in the picture. I also make these gluten free for my daughter and substitute gluten free flour and I can't tell the difference. I freeze these for her and they are wonderful even months later out of the freezer.

 
 
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