Go Back
hand adding frosting to an apple zucchini cake
Print Pin

Whole Wheat Apple Zucchini Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Whole wheat apple zucchini cake with cream cheese frosting. A delicious cake filled with apples and zucchini. This nutritious and fiber-packed recipe is sweetened with fruits.
Course Dessert
Cuisine vegetarian
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Cooling Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 25 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

  • 3 apples, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
  • 1/2 cup Medjool dates, pitted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup milk of choice, plain and unsweetened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 small zucchini, finely shredded and liquid squeezed out (about 1/2 cup packed)

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1 package (250g) plain cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup margarine or butter, room temperature
  • 1/3 cup Medjool dates, pitted (or maple syrup to taste)
  • 1-3 tablespoons milk of choice, as needed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan, add the prepared apples, dates, vanilla and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low-medium, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. When the fruits have softened, mash with a fork or potato masher. It should be well mashed with some small chunks (it doesn’t have to be perfectly smooth). Let cool completely in the refrigerator (at least 2 hours).
  • When the fruit mixture has cooled, preheat oven to 350˚F.
  • Shred the zucchini and squeeze out as much liquid as possible by pressing with an absorbent towel or paper towel.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the zucchini, oil, milk, egg and fruit mixture.
  • Add your dry ingredients and mix everything together. Transfer to a lightly greased 9 inch cake pan.
  • Bake at 350˚F for 40 minutes of until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the frosting: In a small food processor, process the cream cheese, butter, dates (or maple syrup), milk and vanilla until smooth. If using dates, you may need to stop and scrape the sides a few times, then continue blending until smooth.
  • Evenly spread the frosting over the cake once cooled. Serve and enjoy!