Zucchini Cupcakes

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling
Yield 1-1/2 dozen
Contest Winner
Test Kitchen Approved
Grated squash is the key to keeping zucchini cupcakes moist and making them more nutritious. This recipe is perfect for late summer, when zucchini really pops in the garden and farmers markets.

Ingredients

  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 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
  • 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

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Beat together the first 5 ingredients. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to egg mixture and blend well. Stir in zucchini.
  2. Fill 18 paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.
  3. For frosting, combine brown sugar, butter and milk in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Cool to lukewarm.
  4. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until frosting reaches spreading consistency. Frost cupcakes.

Nutrition Facts

1 cupcake: 327 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 305mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (38g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.

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
Recipe Creator

© 2025 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC