08/27/2026
Labor Day weekend calls for a potluck-worthy treat! 🇺🇸✨ If you’re running out of ways to use that much-loved farmers market (or garden!) zucchini, mix things up with these Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes with Whipped Goat Cheese Frosting:
INGREDIENTS
CUPCAKES
• 1½ cups grated zucchini, lightly squeezed to remove excess liquid
• ⅔ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
• ⅓ cup coconut oil, melted and cooled
• 6 Tbsp plain Greek yogurt
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp espresso powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp guajillo chili powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup For Good Granola, Chocolate Chile
FROSTING
• 8 Tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 10 oz plain goat cheese, softened
• 2 tsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1½ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• For Good Granola, Chocolate Chile, to finish
DIRECTIONS
- Adjust oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 350°F. Line a cupcake tin with paper liners or grease with butter.
- In large bowl, mix together zucchini, brown sugar, coconut oil, yogurt, eggs, and vanilla bean paste until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, espresso powder, cinnamon, chili powder, and salt. Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined, then fold in the granola.
- Divide batter evenly among the prepared cups and bake for 24–28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely before frosting.
- To make frosting, beat the softened butter and goat cheese in bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment until smooth and aerated.
- Add salt and vanilla bean paste and mix until incorporated. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, starting on low speed and increasing as it blends, until frosting is light and fluffy. Adjust consistency with additional sugar or a splash of water if needed.
- Frost cooled cupcakes with piping bag and
