Most zucchini cakes are either chocolate or spice. Since I’ve made 900 things lately with zucchini and chocolate I was going to go the whole spice route but decided against it as it felt like I was breaking some food ‘rule’. Kinda like the rule of not wearing white after Labor Day. Not sure why that’s a rule but then again I’m sooooooooooo not into clothes and fashion. Clearly!
But this… this cake came purely out of a craving for something but not sure what that something was. All I know is that the kitchen God’s were with me today as this truly is the best cake I have ever, EVER had in my life! It just SCREAMS summer and all things awesome!
You HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE to make this!
Have I made myself clear?!
This is that cake that will set you a bajillion miles ahead of your competition!
Now if you don’t mind, I’m off to eat another slice of this thing!
PrintStrawberry Basil Zucchini Cake with Strawberry Basil Glaze
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Ingredients
Strawberry Basil Zucchini Cake
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup natural apple sauce
- 3 cups AP flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups shredded zucchini
- 1 cup Strawberry Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Topping
- 3 Tbl fresh basil, chopped (must be fresh)
Glaze
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 3 Tbl milk
- 3 Tbl Strawberry Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Topping
- 1 1/s Tbl fresh basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
Strawberry Basil Zucchini Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 and place rack in the middle.
- Spray a 12 cup Bundt pan and set aside. *see note
- In bowl of electric mixer fitted with the paddle blade, beat cream cheese and butter until whipped.
- Add in the sugar and mix on medium speed until incorporated.
- Add eggs, one at a time, and then add vanilla.
- Beat until velvety smooth, about 3 minutes.
- Stop the mixer and add in the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
- Turn on low just until combined and then beat until incorporated.
- Add in the strawberry topping and basil.
- Fold in zucchini with spatula.
- Place into the prepared pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 30 minutes before inverting on wire rack.
- When completely cool, frost the entire cake.
Glaze
- For the glaze in a bowl whisk together the milk and sugar.
- Add in the strawberry vanilla bean topping and whisk to combine.
- Add in the basil leaves and gently stir.
- If it’s too thin, add 2-3 Tbl more confectioners’ sugar. You want a thicker glaze.
Notes
If you don’t have that large of a bundt pan, you can make this in loaf pans. Just reduce the time for mini loaves to ~25 minutes and large loaves to ~30-35.
Hi…just stumbled upon your page and saw THIS scrumptious looking cake! I can’t wait to try this…thank you for sharing, as I LOVE strawberries. Trying to see if peaches would do too!
Hi Jude and thanks for stumbling in! Welcome to the TKW Family! I’ve made grilled zucchini with peaches and basil in it and that marries very nicely. I would opt out of the strawberry vanilla bean ice cream topping in this and maybe go with peach or apricot sauce OR go with a balsamic peach reduction sauce. Let me know how it turns out!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
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HI, it’s Barb from Girlfriends Weight Loss Support Group. Just so you could identify who I am. Do you think I could use blackberries? Since we’re now living in blackberry country now (Oregon), just wondering what you think. The blackberries here are sweet, sweet, sweet and FREE! People here actually treat them as invasive weeds! We’ve already frozen about 30 cups & hubby has made a couple of the jello pies (Outstanding, too, so much better than strawberry!) Have a great Sunday! I love cake, all cakes, any cake…and my birthday’s coming up so maybe I will make this for myself. Everyone else likes pie, which is why hubby makes pies!
Hi Barb!
You can most certainly use blackberries! I’m jealous and I LOOOOOOOOVE blackberries and they are super expensive here! When you make it, post a pic on our Facebook wall. Man that sounds good!
Have you ever had a blackberry basil grilled cheese? Oh it’s divine! I’d use a milder cheese like fontina or Gruyere.
Best Kitchen Wishes!
★★★★★