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.
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.
Ingredients
3 eggs lightly beaten, room temperature
1 c (224g) vegetable oil
3 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/4 c (450g) white sugar
2 c finely shredded and lightly drained zucchini
3 c (375g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 pt fresh blueberries you can reserve a few for garnish if so desired
Lemon Buttercream
1 c (226g) butter, room temperature
3 1/2 c confectioners sugar
1 lemon juice and zest of (about 2 tablespoons)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare two 8-inch round cake pans with butter and flour or use non-stick baking spray.
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 to have 2 total cups of shredded zucchini after it has been drained. Set aside.
In a large bowl and using a hand mixer, beat together the eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar. Fold in the zucchini.
Slowly add in the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Gently fold in the blueberries. Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans.
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.
Lemon Buttercream
Combine butter, sugar and salt and beat till well combined.
Add lemon juice and vanilla and continue to beat for another 3 to 5 minute or until creamy.
Fold in zest (If you are piping this buttercream, I recommend leaving out the zest).