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pineapple zucchini cake

This moist zucchini cake is sweetened with pineapple and finished with a light cream cheese frosting. A flavorful, crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for using up fresh summer zucchini.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 16
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 0.75 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.75 cup whole wheat flour
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar (or monk fruit sweetener)
  • 0.5 cup flaked coconut
  • 2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 pinch ginger (optional)
  • 3 tablespoon canola oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cup grated zucchini (unpeeled, squeeze excess liquid)
  • 20 ounce crushed pineapple in juice (drained well)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 8 ounce cream cheese (1/3 fat Philadelphia)
  • 0.25 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method
 

Cake Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a Bundt pan or a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, flaked coconut, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger; stir well.
  3. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with canola oil and vanilla extract until combined.
  4. Add the grated zucchini and drained crushed pineapple to the wet mixture; mix until well combined.
  5. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. The batter will be stiff at first—just keep folding until everything is thoroughly combined.
  6. Transfer the batter to your prepared pan and bake for 33–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the cake is pulling away from the sides of the pan.
  7. Let the cake fully cool on a wire rack—this helps the frosting stay smooth.
Cream Cheese Frosting
  1. To prepare frosting, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until silky smooth.
  2. Spread evenly on the cooled cake. Optionally, garnish with chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts.

Notes

This cake is incredibly moist and flavorful, making it a perfect dessert for any occasion, especially when zucchini is in season. The optional nutmeg and ginger add a lovely warmth to the spice blend.