CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI SNACK CAKE

This is a recipe I got several years ago from a healthy cooking magazine.

1/3 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 oz semisweet chocolate, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 cups shredded zucchini
2 tsp powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl beat the butter and sugar approximately 2 minutes until crumbly.  Add the eggs and mix well.  Beat in the buttermilk, applesauce, chocolate, and vanilla extract. 

Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in another bowl; beat into the chocolate mixture just until moistened.  Stir in the zucchini.

Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.  Pour the batter into the pan and bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool in the pan on a wire rack.  Spinkle the powdered sugar over top of cake before cutting to serve.

file photo