9 zucchini dessert recipes
For when you’ve had enough zucchini fritters.
Date
August 10, 2026
It’s that time of year when we’re left with more zucchini than we know what to do with. Once you’ve made enough fritters and savory galettes, give the vegetable a new life in desserts. Zucchini’s flavor is mild enough to work in sweets, while adding moisture and volume. Here are our best zucchini dessert recipes.
1) Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread
This super chocolatey loaf cake packs in two cups of shredded zucchini, so it will help you make a modest dent in your squash cache while also keeping the cake very moist and tender.
Get the recipe: Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread or Gluten-Free Chocolate Zucchini Bread
To make this, you’ll need: Callebaut Semisweet Chocolate Chips and Triple Cocoa Blend
2) Tahini Praline-y Zucchini Cake
Think spiced zucchini cake, only richer, moister, and more flavorful. Walnut praline does the heavy lifting here: It’s made by grinding up candied walnuts into a toasty, caramelly nut paste that’s used to sweeten both the batter and the frosting. The result is an irresistible cake with layers of flavor from the candied walnuts, shredded zucchini, nutty tahini, and hint of cardamom.
Get the recipe: Tahini Praline-y Zucchini Cake
To make this, you’ll need: Cloud Forest Ground Cardamom
3) Zucchini Lemon Muffins
If you’re looking for a dessert that’s not too sweet, this one only calls for half a cup of sugar so that the zucchini and other add-ins can shine. Lemon zest gives these muffins a touch of brightness, while cranberries and walnuts add pops of tartness and texture.
Get the recipe: Zucchini Lemon Muffins
To make this, you’ll need: Sparkling Sugar
4) Chocolate Zucchini Cake
This recipe calls for a whopping three cups of zucchini, but you’d never guess when eating this rich, fudgy cake. The zucchini adds moisture and ensures a tender crumb, while the trifecta of cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and espresso powder creates a robust chocolate flavor.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Zucchini Cake
To make this, you’ll need: Triple Cocoa Blend and Espresso Powder
5) Cherry Zucchini Scones
These zucchini scones bake up with crisp bottoms and a lightly crunchy exterior, while the centers stay soft and delicate from the zucchini’s natural hydration. Dried cherries and a hint of lemon zest add a burst of summery brightness. For a creative take on shortcakes, bake these as round scones and split to serve. Don’t forget the whipped cream and fruit!
Get the recipe: Cherry Zucchini Scones
To make this, you’ll need: Sparkling Sugar
6) Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
Quick to make, freezer-friendly, and endlessly snackable, these muffins are the kind of treat that works for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up. They come together in a cinch with just two bowls and a flexible spatula.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
To make this, you’ll need: Double Dark Cocoa Blend
7) Zucchini Brownies
Rather than the usual method of shredding zucchini, this recipe calls for puréeing it in a food processor to add moisture without much discernable texture. To make these brownies extra fudgy, finish them off with a swoosh of chocolate frosting.
Get the recipe: Zucchini Brownies or Gluten-Free Zucchini Brownies
To make this, you’ll need: Cuisinart Custom 14 Cup Food Processor
8) Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cookies
Zucchini adds volume and moisture to this oatmeal cookie batter, so the cookies bake up more cake-like than chewy. Each cookie is packed with chocolate chips (there’s twice as much chocolate than there is zucchini) and the edges are nicely toasted and golden.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cookies
To make this, you’ll need: Golden Wheat Flour
9) 100% Whole Wheat Zucchini Chocolate Chip Bread
Whole wheat flour and zucchini both have a mild earthiness that complement each other. Throw in a handful of chocolate chips and walnuts, and you have the perfect not-too-sweet quick bread.
Get the recipe: 100% Whole Wheat Zucchini Chocolate Chip Bread
To make this, you’ll need: Barry Callebaut Semisweet Chocolate Chips
Cover photo (Zucchini Brownies) and food styling by Liz Neily.
