Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes

I have been terrible about blogging lately. My apologies. I don’t have a really good excuse, it is a combination of a new baby, summer activities as a family and a few trips to the lake. I still have been baking and trying lots of new recipes…mostly from pintrest…and mostly dinner recipes to be honest.

We still have a lot of zucchini from our garden, so here is another zucchini recipe. I am excited that we are starting to have some red tomatoes, we used some for dinner tonight!

Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes

Adapted from Taste of Home

1-1/4 cups butter, softened

1-1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup baking cocoa (I used a little cocoa and a few squares melted semi-sweet chocolate…delish)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sour cream

1 1/2 cup grated zucchini

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with yogurt, beating well after each addition. Fold in zucchini and carrots.

Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Frost cupcakes. Yield: 21 cupcakes.

Chocolate Buttercream

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

3 squares melted semi-sweet chocolate

1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract

4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar

3-4 tablespoons milk

In large bowl, cream shortening and butter with electric mixer. Add chocolate and vanilla. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Keep bowl covered with a damp cloth until ready to use.

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