Blueberry Zucchini Cake With Lemon Buttercream Icing


By: Kristen Baer

Serves: 16

Prep Time: 20 minutes to prep and 50 minutes to bake

Whenever I find myself craving a sweet treat I always reach for the same thing; most usually, snacking on cookies, icecream, or brownies, but sometimes I want to switch it up. This delicious cake is the perfect creation to please your sweet tooth while also learning a new recipe. Now I know what you're thinking, the combination of fruits and vegetables seems a little odd but, trust me, just wait until you try it. The fresh sweetness of the blueberries galvanize your tastebuds, bursting with their familiar flavor; think of this cake as being very similar to the classic blueberry muffin recipe, with some minor adjustments . Not only are the blueberries tasty, but they are also  abundant in vitamins and other health benefits. These blue treats  are linked to potential health benefits including urinary tract infection treatment, antioxidants, and anticarcinogenic properties (Kalt). To go along with the color aesthetic of the bright berries, the recipe calls for shredded zucchini, which goes unnoticed in the texture of the moist cake. Although zucchini is often referred to as the summer squash, it is delicious year round and is used in dishes of many varieties. Despite its bland flavor, zucchini has been found to support vision and boost the immune system due to its ample supply of vitamin A (Petre). Vitamin A is a fat-soluble compound that is pertinent to our overall health, ensuring that our immune system functions normally (Petre). As a good source of fiber, zucchini also promotes healthy digestion   (Petre). The addition of the tangy lemon perfectly juxtaposes the subtle sweetness of blueberries and really works to bring out the candy-like taste of this cake. Not only do lemons make your lips purse, they also pack a punch when it comes to health benefits. Lemons have a rich source of vitamin C which,as an antioxidant,relieves the stress placed on our cells (Douglas). Working alongside vitamin C,  lemons also contain a myriad of chemical compounds, most notably flavonoids that carry anti-cancer effects by suppressing the oxidative stress that causes DNA to become damaged or mutated (Douglas). 

This cake brings a little taste of summer into every month of the year. Prepare this dish and have enough dessert to last you a week, or longer!


Ingredients:

  • Cake

    • 3 large eggs

    • 1 cup vegetable oil

    • 1 tbsp of vanilla extract

    • 2 ¼ cups of sugar

    • 2 cups of shredded zucchini

    • 3 cups of all purpose flour

    • 1 tsp of salt

    • 1 tsp of baking powder

    • ¼ tsp of baking soda

    • 1 pint of blueberries

    Lemon Buttercream

    • 1 ½ sticks of unsalted butter 

    • 4 cups of powdered sugar

    • Fresh lemon juice to taste

 Instructions:

  1. First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

  2. Take a 9x13 baking pan and lightly grease and add a light layer of flour.

  3. Combine the eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar into a bowl and mix until well blended.

  4. Add the zucchini into the mixture and fold it in.

  5. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda, then mix well.

  6. Take a pint of blueberries and toss them in a tablespoon of flour, make sure that they are evenly.

  7. Combine all ingredients and fold until mixed. 

  8. Transfer the mixture into the greased pan and place in the oven for approximately 50 minutes or until the top turns a golden brown. 

  9. Once the cake is done baking, let it cool for about 30 minutes. While the cake is cooling, combine the ingredients to create the lemon buttercream icing.

  10. When the cake is cool, evenly spread the icing in a thin layer across the top of the cake. 

  11. Garnish with lemon zest for a special touch and enjoy!

 

 Reference List:

D, D. (2018, August 25). 10 amazing health benefits of Lemons. Dr Donna Douglas. Retrieved December 19, 2021, from https://www.drdonna.net/recipes2/2018/6/17/10-amazing-health-benefits-of-lemons 

Kalt, W., & Dufour, D. (1997, July 1). Health functionality of blueberries. horttech. Retrieved December 19, 2021, from https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/7/3/article-p216.xml 

Petre, A. (2019, February 19). 12 health and nutrition benefits of Zucchini. Healthline. Retrieved December 20, 2021, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/zucchini-benefits 


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