Hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s to the garden I go! And come back with loads of zucchini. And then bake with it. It’s in my blood people. This Lemon Blueberry Cake with loads of gorgeous Zucchini is going to be your new favorite dessert!! Don’t miss my 50 Best Cake Recipes if you want to be inspired!
Lemon Blueberry Cake
This cake is seriously amazing. The combination of lemons and blueberry is timeless, and adding in zucchini (courgettes)is the BEST way to add moisture! I used whole fresh blueberries in the cake and then added copious amounts of lemon flavor and zest to the cake and frosting. I think you will find that this cake is just plain perfect. Try my Lemon Blueberry Sweet Rolls for more of this timeless combination.
Zucchini in Baking
Some folks wonder why do I use zucchini in baking? First off, I love zucchini. It works amazing as a savory side or incorporated into desserts. No, you cannot taste the zucchini itself when you are baking, but you do reap the benefits of this vegetable that is packed with moisture.
I found this recipe over at allrecipes.com and it is officially labeled as Blueberry Zucchini Bread. I studied the ingredients and thought, there is no way I can pass this off as bread! Why not just make it in an 8-inch round cake pan and see how it goes.
It went. Right into my belly.
This cake is moist! Like amazingly so. I popped my cake into the freezer right after baking only because I wanted a nice clean cut. But I do recommend eating when it is still warm and the zucchini bits are lounging around the bursting blueberries in a delightful way.
Because this recipe is technically designed as a bread, this cake is pretty dense. Densely packed with deliciousness that is. 😉
I would really love to try this cake with raspberries, as my love for blueberries has inadvertently excluded all other fruit on my little baking blog. Maybe even a berry medley! Oh yeah. Definitely.
Off to bake!
This Lemon Blueberry Cake with loads of gorgeous Zucchini is going to be your new favorite dessert!!
- 2 cups finely shredded and lightly drained zucchini
- 3 large eggs, lightly beaten, room temperature
- 1 cup (224g) vegetable oil
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups (450g) granulated sugar
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 pint fresh blueberries, you can reserve a few for garnish if so desired
- 1 cup (226g) butter, room temperature
- 3½ cups confectioners' sugar
- juice of one lemon
- zest of one lemon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare two 8-inch round cake pans with butter and flour or use non-stick baking spray.
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Grate a large zucchini (or two small zucchini) and place in a clean dish towel. Life the edges of the towel up and squeeze some of the extra moisture out, but you do not want the zucchini to be dry. You will want 2 total cups of shredded zucchini after it has been drained. Set aside.
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In a large bowl and using a hand mixer, beat together the eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar. Fold in the zucchini.
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Slowly stir in the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Gently fold in the blueberries. Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans.
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Bake 35-40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes in pans, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
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Combine butter, sugar and salt and beat till well combined.
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Add lemon juice and vanilla and continue to beat for another 3 to 5 minute or until creamy.
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Fold in zest (If you are piping this buttercream, I recommend leaving out the zest).
Recipe Video
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If you like this cake be sure to check out my other amazing Zucchini Recipes!
Like these Double Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes. Seriously the best chocolate cupcakes, ever!
This is my favorite Spring/Summer cake to make. It’s moist, exploding with flavor with the pop of lemon and the sweet flavor of the blueberries. It always gets raves reviews.
Can I leave out the zucchini or will it change the recipe ?
Yes, it would change the recipe.
Have you made these into cupcakes?
Hi, Crystal! I work with iambaker and am happy to help with questions. Here is a recipe for Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes you might like. Have a wonderful day!
I’ve made this several times and it’s very good! I’d like to try cupcakes….has anyone tried making this recipe for cupcakes and if so how long did you bake?
Hi, Trish! I work with iambaker and am happy to help with questions. Here is a Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes recipe you might enjoy. Have a great day!
Would this cake recipe turn out if I baked it in 6 x 3 round baking pans instead of 8×8?
I would love to make this cake with raspberries. How much of the raspberries would you suggest? Other than the change of the berries, would you change anything else? I’ll make this blueberry one too!!
Is it possible to make this recipe in a 13×9 pan? If so, what temperature and baking time? Thank you
Hi, Linda! I work with iambaker and am happy to help with questions. We have not tried baking this cake in a 9×13-inch pan, but you may not have enough batter for that size pan; an 11×7-inch baking dish would be closer in volume. I hope this helps, and have a great day!
Has anyone made this using a gluten free flour?
Used the 7 x 11 sheet pan per the recommendations — definitely should have used the 11 x 13 pan. Overflowed the pan, still jiggling in the center after baking for 55 minutes.
Is there no lemon in the cake batter?
Hi, Kerstin! I work with iambaker and am happy to help with questions. You are correct. The lemon flavor is packed in the lemon buttercream. Have a wonderful day!
This was delicious. I would not change a thing about this recipe! I took it to a church potluck and included “zucchini” in the name on the label. My husband thought no one would try it but it was more than half gone, and those who tried it, loved it! It’s a keeper!
Could I freeze the cake ahead of time and frost when thawed?
Hi, Kathi! I work with iambaker and am happy to help with questions. Others have stated that the cake freezes well. Just be sure to let it cool completely before storing it in the freezer and frost when thawed. Have a great day!
This cake looks absolutely delicious!
I really enjoy following you! Thank you for wonderful ideas and great recipes!
Can I use 9 inch pans for the zucchini lemon blueberry cake
I made the blueberry zucchini lemon cake and it’s the best. I love the icing. Will definitely be my favorite
great recipes never had a bad one