Zucchini Walnut Cake

Name: Zucchini Walnut Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 24 servings.
Ingredients: 2 cups shredded zucchini; 2 cups sugar; 1 cup canola oil; 4 large eggs, room temperature; 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts, optional; FROSTING:; 3 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1/4 cup butter, softened; 1 tablespoon 2% milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups confectioners' sugar; Chopped toasted walnuts, optional

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 35 min. + cooling YIELD: 24 servings.

What gardener doesn't have extra zucchini? When it is abundant, I shred and freeze plenty so I have it on hand to bake this moist zucchini cake with walnuts all year long. The cream cheese frosting is yummy, and the big panful always goes fast at a picnic or potluck. —Marie Hoyer, Hodgenville, Kentucky

Ingredients

2 cups shredded zucchini
2 cups sugar
1 cup canola oil
4 large eggs, room temperature
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts, optional
FROSTING:
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon 2% milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners' sugar
Chopped toasted walnuts, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 13x9-in. baking pan; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat the zucchini, sugar, oil and eggs until well blended. Combine the flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder and baking soda; gradually beat into zucchini mixture until blended. Fold in walnuts if desired.
3. Pour into prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
4. For frosting, in a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, milk and vanilla until smooth. Add confectioners' sugar and mix well. Frost cake. Sprinkle with nuts if desired. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 275 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 174mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.