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zucchini cupcakes with cream cheese frosting on a cake stand

Zucchini cupcakes with cream cheese frosting are a delicious treat for summer or any time of year!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Cooling time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings 10
Author Kelsie

Ingredients

Zucchini cupcakes

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 large egg at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups lightly packed grated zucchini from 6 to 7 ounces of zucchini

Cream cheese frosting

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 6 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
  • 2 to 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Cupcakes:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 10 muffin cups with paper liners and set pan aside.
  2. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices in a medium mixing bowl until well combined.
  3. In a second bowl, whisk together the oil, eggs, vanilla, and lemon zest until smooth. Whisk in the sugar until well combined and no lumps of sugar remain. Stir in the grated zucchini, then fold in the dry ingredients until just combined.
  4. Divide batter evenly between the prepared muffin cups. Bake 20 to 24 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean. Cool in pans for 20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Frosting:

  1. Beat the butter and cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl with an electric mixer very light and creamy. With mixer on low, gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until combined. Beat in the vanilla and salt. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, then turn mixer to medium and beat until smooth. Add more powdered sugar if necessary to achieve desired consistency. Frost cupcakes as desired and serve.

Recipe Notes

Be sure your frosting ingredients are at room temperature, otherwise it's difficult to mix them together properly.