Adventures in the Kitchen: Zucchini Brownies

In case you missed this the other day when I guest posted for Scattered Thoughts of A Crafty Mom, here is my zucchini brownie recipe!

Yep, you read that right!

I used this

to make this

Trust me, they are so yummy, and no one will believe you when you tell them they are eating vegetables!

Ingredients:

Brownie:
3 c. shredded zucchini

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups white sugar

1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 c. milk chocolate chips (optional)


Frosting:
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup butter (melted)
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
Step 2: Shred zucchini. I pealed my zucchini first, but you can leave the peel on if you would like. I used the shredder attachment of my food processor. When you measure the 3 cups of zucchini, be sure to press it down in the measuring cup. 

Step 3: In a large bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt and stir into the sugar mixture. Mix in zucchini and chocolate chips. The mixture will be dry. (Don't worry, the zucchini will make the brownies moist when in is baking!)

Step 4: Press batter evenly into the pan.

Step 5: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the 350 degree oven.

Frosting Directions: To make the frosting, mix together melted butter and cocoa powder and set aside to cool. In the bowl of your mixer, blend together the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla. Stir in the cocoa mixture. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Spread over cooled brownies before cutting into squares.

If you like zucchini but are not a huge chocolate fan, you can check out my other dessert using zucchini

Zucchini Creme Bars

OR

Last night I just sliced some zucchini and tossed it with a little olive oil, season salt and basil. Then I sauteed it for a few minutes - until it was slightly cooked but not floppy. Remove from heat and sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top - YUM!

What is your favorite way to eat zucchini?