These soft fluffy Frosted Zucchini Brownies are a sweet way to use up the extra green veggies from your garden. The cake-like texture of these homemade chocolate brownies is so delicious.
No one will ever know they are getting a dose of veggies under all that chocolate. Wink, wink.
Zucchini Brownies
I had a few extra zucchinis on our counter after making dinner. So, I decided to make a chocolate zucchini dessert. Let’s face it. If our kids can see the green, they are going to run the other way.
I have no idea why they run from zucchini because they eat salads all the time. Those kids are crazy some days!
My plan was to give this Chocolate Zucchini Cake a fun make over. So, I started adjusting the flour and baking soda ratios. I even tried adding an egg and some sour cream to the batter, but it kept ending up really fluffy or gummy.
It turns out that some baking soda is necessary when you add sour cream to your batter. I left it out in the second round of zucchini brownies, and those brownies turned out kind of fudgy but also very gummy too.
That was definitely not the brownie texture I was looking for, so I made a third batch of chocolate zucchini brownies with the last zucchini I had.
This third batch of zucchini brownies ended up being my favorite for flavor and texture.
If you are looking for rich, fudgy zucchini brownies, make sure you check out this Zucchini Brownie recipe.
Ingredients for Zucchini Brownies
The baking soda and sour cream makes these zucchini brownies light and fluffy, and with a cake-like texture.
Butter: Make sure to use real unsalted butter for these brownies. Actually, I use real butter in all my baking. It tastes better and bakes better. Margarine has extra water added to it, so it can affect the baking time and outcome of your recipes.
Sugar: These brownies use a mixture of brown sugar and granulated sugar. I like to mix the two sugars because it can add a little bit more moisture to a recipe when using brown sugar.
Sour Cream: A little bit of sour cream will add some moisture to these brownies giving them a little bit more of a cake-like texture.
Baking Soda: Mixing this with sour cream provides a chemical reaction in your brownies causing a little bit of a lift and fluffy texture to happen as the brownies bake.
Extracts: I like to use a mixture of vanilla and almond extract when I'm baking chocolate desserts. It's a personal preference. I happen to love the smell and taste of almond extract. Feel free to use all vanilla if you prefer that better.
Zucchini: Make sure to shred your fresh zucchini using the smallest side of your grater. You want the shreds to be tiny and small. They will release more moisture in the batter this way, and it will be hard to see them once it is baked. Do not squeeze out any of the extra moisture that is in the zucchini pieces.
Dark Cocoa Powder: I use dark cocoa powder in almost every chocolate dessert I make. I love the dark rich taste it gives baked goods. You can use a regular cocoa powder or cacao powder if that is what you have on hand. Just realize your zucchini brownies will not be as dark after they bake.
How to make Frosted Zucchini Brownies
These sweet chocolate zucchini brownies come together very easily with just one bowl.
- Mix the melted butter and sugars in a large bowl until it looks kind of like wet sand.
- Add the sour cream and extracts and mix again.
- Stir together all the dry ingredients and slowly add them to the wet ingredients. The batter will be very thick.
- Add the shredded zucchini and stir it in gently until it is mixed in completely.
- Spread the brownie batter in a prepared pan and bake.
- Let the zucchini brownies cool completely and then spread chocolate frosting on the top. If you do not want to make frosting, go ahead and sprinkle the top with powdered sugar before serving.
BRUCREW Tip: Heat a zucchini brownie up in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Trust me, you will love how rich and fudgy they are when warm.
CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!
More Chocolate Zucchini Desserts
- Zucchini Donuts
- Chocolate Zucchini Bundt Cake
- Double Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
- Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cake
- Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
- Zucchini Cream Cheese Muffins
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Recipe
Frosted Zucchini Brownies Recipe
These soft fluffy Frosted Zucchini Brownies are a sweet way to use up the extra green veggies from your garden. The cake-like texture of these homemade chocolate brownies is so delicious.
Ingredients
For the Brownies
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups finely shredded zucchini
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup dark cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
For the Frosting
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 5 Tablespoons heavy cream
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray.
- Beat the butter and sugars until it looks like coarse sand. Add the sour cream, extract, and zucchini and mix together.
- Stir together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda. Mix it into the butter mixture until a batter forms.
- Spread evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 26-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few crumbs on it. Remove and cool completely.
- Mix together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and melted butter. Slowly mix in the heavy cream until it is all mixed in.
- Beat on high for 1 minutes or until light and fluffy. Spread evenly on top of the brownies cooled. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips right away.
- Store in a sealed container on the counter.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 199Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 163mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 1gSugar: 22gProtein: 2g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*The recipe for Frosted Zucchini Brownies was first published on July 31, 2015. The photos have been updated, and it was republished on August 21, 2019.
Alex @ smartkitchenguide
The tip of heating the brownies in microwave was great! I tried it once without heating and it tasted good but when I tried it after heating these were AWESOME!
Raquel
I love that you incorporated zucchini with the brownies Jocelyn! They look amazing ! Pinning!
Mary
These looked and sounded so wonderful so I just made them. The frosting was way to sweet and the brownies turned out more like a cake and rather bland tasting. Kinda disappointed because they looked so good.
Jocelyn
I am so sorry to hear you didn't like them. Everyone has different tastes...I have made them a few times and really liked them every time.
marlene groff
What kind of butter can you use beside challenge butter , never heard of that kind
Jocelyn
You can use any unsalted butter that you can find in your grocery store. Check your shelves at the store...you might be surprised to see Challenge there.
Ashley
What's the first thing I made with the farm-fresh veggies I bought today? This. Diet fail haha.
My end result was absolutely delicious but definitely came out as a cake. I've never baked with zucchini though, maybe I did something wrong? Either way, YUM!
Jocelyn
I think these could really be classified as cake or brownies. I called them fluffy brownies...although heated in the microwave they were more fudgy and brownie like. My husband said they reminded him of TX sheet cake. Either way, I agree with you that they are yum all around.
Nancy
This recipe looks SO good! You are so talented!
Doug
Interesting! I never would have thought that zuchhini and chocolate would go together! I like the use of almond extract, too, instead of vanilla extract.
Jocelyn
Chocolate and zucchini are an amazing combo! You should definitely try it some time 😉
Renee Lane
I didn't notice any egg in the recipe. Did it not call for any?
Jocelyn
There is no egg in this brownie version...the sour cream takes the place of it here. I hope you enjoy them!!!
karen
I have mine in the oven now! Thank you!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze
Booo to school starting in a week. And here I am complaining about school starting in 4 weeks. It went so quick huh? These brownies look amazing and I can not wait to try them!! Yum! 🙂
Jocelyn
Summer did go by so fast, but no complaining around here because my house is so quiet now. I'm loving it!!! I hope you enjoy the brownies!
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion
I adore zucchini in these brownies. They must be so delectable!
Jocelyn
You know it! These brownies didn't last long around here!!!
Anna @ Sunny Side Ups
Just yum!! Summer zucchini is one of my favorite things ever, and I bet these brownies taste amazing!! I absolutely love how decadent they look!
Jocelyn
I'm with you on the summer squash lovin'!!! I have been buying a few every week to bake with!
Trish - Mom On Timeout
Holy moly do these brownies look fabulous Jocelyn! Pinning!
Jocelyn
Thank you so much, Trish!!!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg
My friend and I were just talking about whether the other had ever made chocolate zucchini bread. We wondered what it tasted like...well, I think we should just skip to brownies. These look fantastic, Jocelyn.
Jocelyn
You have never had chocolate zucchini bread? Drop everything and make one! It's amazing! Or make these brownies...they are amazing too 😉
Johlene@FlavoursandFrosting
I would have loved to plant zucchini and tomatoes. It's a dream of mine to have my own vegetable and fresh herb patch 🙂 These brownies look delicious!
Jocelyn
I dream of keeping a garden alive one day...but then I wake up and realize the farmers market is more my speed. LOL!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
Yes!! The frosting on these makes them even butter! We love Challenge Butter in our house!
Jocelyn
Frosting is a must on brownies! And yup, Challenge is all we use too 🙂
Danae @ Recipe Runner
Your summer sounds just like Colorado's. Cool and rainy all May and now it's finally sunny and hot. However, all the sun is making my zucchini plants thrive so a batch of these delicious brownies is absolutely necessary!
Jocelyn
Woo hoo for lots of zucchini! I hope you are having fun baking with it!!!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia
I LOVE frosted brownies. I don't think people do it nearly enough. These look fabulous!
Jocelyn
I'm with you on loving the frosting on brownies. It really should happen more often!!!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
Wow school starts that early for you? Yikes! I feel like the summer just started too, I also live in the midwest but I think the kids in my area have another 2-3 weeks...which means more time to eat these brownies! They look delicious, Jocelyn!
Jocelyn
Enjoy those last few crazy weeks of summer! I'm definitely enjoying the peace and quiet of school days now! Now I just need more brownies to go with that quiet!
Mir
The best way to get your veggies, ever! I like my zucchini with frosting, thankyouverymuch. Now I've gotta hit the veggie aisle at the store!
Jocelyn
I totally agree...bring on the chocolate covered veggies! LOL!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
These look fabulous and definitely appreciate the trials to make them perfect! Love that frosting too 🙂 Pinned!
Jocelyn
Thank you so much for the pin love!