13 Zucchini Desserts To Satisfy Every Craving

Plenty of people enjoy planting a summer garden to make the most of the sun’s warm rays. Anyone who has ever tried growing zucchini knows that once this plant gets going, you find yourself constantly looking for ways to use it up. From grilled zucchini to zucchini pasta, there are dozens of savory dishes that call for this summer squash, but what about all those summer desserts? As it turns out, zucchini is wonderful in everything from frosted quick breads to brownies, too. And, that includes chocolate chip cookies! Sure, the original recipe is great but this better-for-you take is studded with grated zucchini and wholesome oats for a fun spin on the classic treat.

By topping a citrus-laced zucchini bread with a sweet Greek yogurt glaze, the whole recipe gets a nice hit of tart and creamy flavor. Bake this recipe in a loaf pan, as the recipe suggests, or try it in a round cake pan and serve it at a backyard gathering.

What’s the difference between a cupcake and a muffin, really? These double-chocolate muffins toe the line between dessert and snack in terms of flavor, but the ingredient list makes sure there are still plenty of vitamins and nutrients packed into every bite.

A sweet and simple zucchini bread can make an excellent dessert, especially if paired with some fresh fruit and a dollop of whipped cream. This straightforward recipe can serve as a great jumping-off point for endless alterations, like adding chopped nuts or citrus zest.

These brownies are a take on one of our most popular recipes. The only difference is that the zucchini takes the place of cream and half the butter used in the original, with no sacrifice to flavor or moisture.

Zucchini has a high water content and can help keep baked goods soft and moist, much like banana does in banana bread. Unlike banana bread, however, the zucchini doesn’t impart a strong flavor, so it won’t overpower other things in the dessert, like chocolate or cinnamon. Zucchini desserts may seem strange to some, but just a few bites of any one of the desserts in this gallery will be enough to change even the pickiest eater’s mind. Start with this zucchini cake from Ree Drummond, which has tons of rave reviews on our site. The soft and fluffy cake is laced with coconut, pecans, freshly grated nutmeg, and ground ginger. For the final touch, slather on a tangy cream cheese frosting and a few more chopped pecans for a bit of crunch.

Calling this double-chocolate zucchini loaf a bread is a bit of a stretch. One bite and you’ll see why we consider this to be one of our favorite summer desserts.

If you’re interested in trying a zucchini dessert but not so sure if you’ll like the flavor, give this chocolate zucchini cake recipe a try. A combination of semisweet chocolate chips and rich cocoa powder completely dominate the flavor, while the grated zucchini keeps everything ultra-moist.

The addition of crushed pineapple adds an extra layer of moisture and flavor to the standard zucchini bread, in addition to infusing a pleasant tartness. If you happen to have some, feel free to substitute in some finely chopped fresh pineapple.

While technically these cupcakes can be made with your choice of finely chopped vegetable, we think they work great with zucchini. These fiber-packed cakes can be topped with your favorite icing or eaten straight-up as they are.

Just a handful of semisweet chocolate chips can elevate a plain zucchini bread to the realm of decadent dessert. Standard chips work great, or you can try it with mini chocolate chips (as many of our readers have done) for an easy alternative.

Zucchini desserts can get all dressed up for fancy occasions, too. This zucchini and ginger naked cake is filled with layers of fluffy cream cheese icing that has little bits of finely chopped crystallized ginger for an extra kick.