Chocolate and Zucchini Cake

Ingredients

• 0.5 teaspoon double-acting baking powder 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1 cup chocolate chips 
• 0.5 cup dutch-processed cocoa powder unsweetened
• 3 large eggs 
• 2 cups flour all-purpose
• 1 teaspoon coffee instant
• 1 cup brown sugar light packed ()
• 0.5 cup olive oil extra virgin unsalted for greasing at room temperature (1 stick)
• 0.5 teaspoon sea salt fine
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pure
• 2 cups zucchini grated unpeeled for optional garnish

Equipment

• food processor
• frying pan
• oven
• knife
• whisk
• mixing bowl
• cake form
• wooden spoon
• spatula
• springform pan

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 10-inch springform pan with butter or oil.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a food processor, process the sugar and butter until creamy (you can also do this by hand, armed with a sturdy spatula).
3. Add the vanilla, coffee granules, and eggs, mixing well between each addition.
4. Reserve a cup of the flour mixture and add the rest to the egg mixture.
5. Mix until just combined; the batter will be thick.
6. Add the zucchini and chocolate chips to the reserved flour mixture and toss to coat. Fold into the batter and blend with a wooden spoon—don't overmix.
7. Pour into the prepared cake pan and level the surface with a spatula.
8. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Transfer to a rack to cool for 10 minutes, run a knife around the pan to loosen the cake, and unclasp the sides of the pan.
10. Let cool to room temperature before serving.
11. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, glaze with melted chocolate, or decorate with a few slices of raw zucchini (you don't have to eat them, though).
12. Taste
13. Book, using the USDA Nutrition Database
14. From Chocolate and Zucchini by Clotilde Dusoulier Copyright (c) 2007 by Clotilde Dusoulier Published by Broadway Books.Clotilde Dusoulier lives in Montmartre. Her award-winning blog, Chocolate & Zucchini, was launched in 2003.