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Guest Post: Zucchini Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cake by Hip Foodie Mom

Course: Dessert
Author: Alice Choi | Hip Foodie Mom

Ingredients

  • For the cake:
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup hazelnut meal/flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ¾ cup applesauce
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups grated or julienned zucchini skin on
  • about 2 cups blend of semi-sweet + bittersweet chocolate chips
  • For the chocolate ganache:
  • 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped
  • 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chopped
  • ½ cup heavy cream

Instructions

  • For the cake:
  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Using non-stick baking spray, spray a full sized bundt cake pan and then lightly dust with cocoa powder and knock out any excess. This will help to ensure your bundt cake releases beautifully.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour, hazelnut meal, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside.
  • In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, applesauce, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy, for about 2 to 3 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, slowly fold in the flour mixture into the wet ingredients just until combined. Lastly, gently mix in the grated zucchini and the chocolate chips.
  • Pour the cake mixture evenly into your prepared bundt pan and bake for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove the bundt cake from the oven and allow to cool for about 20 minutes.
  • For the ganache:
  • Place the chopped chocolate in a medium sized bowl and set aside. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook until small bubbles start to appear on the outside edge of the cream. It is not necessary to boil or simmer the heavy cream. It just needs to get hot. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and, using a wire whisk, gently stir from the middle out, until all of the chocolate is melted and smooth. Allow the chocolate ganache to cool slightly before pouring over the cake. If your ganache cools for too long, you’ll need to re-heat the mixture slightly before pouring over the cake. You want the ganache to be silky so it’s easy to pour.
  • To serve:
  • Loosen the edges around your cooled bundt cake with a fork or butter knife and then place your serving platter or cake stand against the bundt cake pan (flat surface directly on top) and invert. Gently tap the bottom of the bundt pan if needed. Your bundt cake should come out perfectly. Pour on the chocolate ganache and serve.

Notes

To help you release your bundt cake with ease, you will need non-stick baking spray and some cocoa powder.
Adapted from Justataste.com.