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Gluten-Free Chocolate Zucchini Cake

🇺🇸 United States

Servings: 12 slices Prep: 30 minutes Cook: 45 minutes Total: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups brown rice flour
  • 1 cup coconut sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tbsp ground flax seeds (or ground chia seeds)
  • 3/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 cups grated zucchini, lightly packed
  • 1 1/3 cups canned coconut milk
  • 3-4 tbsp maple syrup (or agave syrup)
  • 2 small sweet potatoes, cooked
  • 1 cup sunflower seed butter (or nut butter of choice)
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup (or agave syrup)
  • 4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/8 to 1/2 cup plant-based milk, as needed for consistency
  • 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt

Steps

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Process the dry ingredients (flour, coconut sugar, cocoa powder, flax seeds, shredded coconut, baking powder, baking soda, and salt) in a food processor or blender for a few seconds, then transfer to a large bowl.
  3. Whisk the coconut milk and maple syrup together, then pour over the dry ingredients and stir well.
  4. Grate the zucchini and fold it into the batter with a spoon.
  5. Grease a 7- or 8-inch springform pan (or line with parchment paper) and pour in the batter.
  6. Bake for about 45 minutes, checking with a toothpick after 40 minutes for doneness.
  7. Let the cake cool for at least 30 minutes, then slice it into layers using a large knife or dental floss.
  8. For the frosting, process the cooked sweet potatoes, sunflower seed butter, maple syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, salt, and plant-based milk in a food processor or blender until thick, fluffy, and creamy.
  9. Frost the cake layers and serve. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

Notes

If using white sweet potatoes, more plant-based milk may be needed for the frosting (up to 1/2 cup); orange sweet potatoes typically need less (about 1/4 cup).

Source: elavegan.com