Our garden yielded a ton of squash this Summer. A ton. And we’ve just harvested what is hopefully the last bunch. Fingers crossed.
That said, this overabundance of squash enabled/forced me to get creative in finding news ways of using it. So as I dragged in the remaining squash I held up a yellow and a green zucchini squash and immediately came to mind was “lemon and lime.” So I thought it would be fun to incorporate them both in to a cake along with lemon and lime. And then to add lemon lime frosting on top of it all for a double dose of citrus!
The verdict: Sublime. I think you’ll agree.
More than anything though I just wanted to eat the entire bowl of lemon-lime cream cheese frosting! I didn’t. But I wanted to.
For fewer calories you can also leave off the frosting and just add a small sprinkling of powdered sugar. But for the “full effect” I highly recommend the frosting!
For the frosting you’ll need lemon-lime marmalade. Some stores carry it but you can also buy Rose’s Lemon and Lime Marmalade online here.
OR…you can make some yourself! And once you make a batch of this amazing stuff it’ll keep stored for at least a year!
There are so many delicious uses for lemon lime marmalade. Check out my post for tons of ideas and the recipe: Homemade Lemon Lime Marmalade.
Let’s get started!
Finely grate the yellow and zucchini squash (use the fine part of the grater), then squeeze most of the liquid out. Zest the lemon and the lime and then juice them.
Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a bowl and set aside.
Ignore this picture. Seriously, my 3 and 5 year olds were having a meltdown and, distracted, without thinking I put everything in the bowl at once. What you want to do instead is….Cream the butter and sugar in a bowl until pale and fluffy. THEN add the eggs, vanilla extract, lemon and lime zest and beat until combined.
Stir in the grated squash. Then, alternating between the buttermilk and flour mixture, add each in thirds, stirring after each addition. Don’t over-stir or the batter will be dense. Stir just until combined, a few little lumps are okay.
Pour the batter into a buttered 8X8 inch cake pan. I use and LOVE Magic Line pans – made in the U.S.A. and professional quality.
Baked in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
While the cake is baking make the frosting. Combine all the ingredients except for the powdered sugar in a mixing bowl and beat until combined.
Then add the powdered sugar and beat until combined and fluffy.
Your cake is ready! Let it cool completely.
You can stop right there and just enjoy it with a sprinkling of powdered sugar for fewer calories….BUT….
….I highly recommend taking it to the next level and and adding this luscious lemon-lime cream cheese frosting!
So spread that lemon-lime frosting on good and thick!
Enjoy!
- ¾ cup finely grated and drained zucchini (squeeze out excess liquid)
- ¾ cup finely grated and drained yellow squash (squeeze out excess liquid)
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 lime, zested and juiced
- 2 cups spelt flour (can substitute whole wheat but spelt is milder and bakes up more softly)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon quality pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- For the Lemon Lime Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 3 tablespoons lemon lime marmalade (buy HERE or MAKE YOUR OWN)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8X8 inch baking pan.
- Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a bowl and set aside.
- In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, lemon and lime juice and zests, and beat until combined. Stir in the grated zucchini and lemon squash.
- Add the buttermilk and flour mixture to the wet mixture, alternating in thirds and stir lightly after each addition. Do not over-stir or the cake will be dense. Stir just until combined, a few small lumps are okay.
- Pour the batter into the greased baking pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cook completely.
- While the cake is baking make the frosting: Combine all the ingredients, except for the powdered sugar, in a mixing bowl and beat until combined. Add the powdered sugar gradually, beating until combined.
- Frost the cake and cut into squares.
Marye says
This zucchini cake sounds SO good! Saving this one for later!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Marye! It didn’t last very long around here :)
Brittany says
This looks and sounds SO good! I can’t wait to start using that marmalade in different recipes!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Brittany! The marmalade is so awesome, I love finding new ways to use it!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
I still have a giant zucchini sitting on my counter. I might have to try this over the weekend. I love that frosting, what a fun idea!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
The frosting’s always my favorite part, Erin :) I wish I only had one zucchini left…more like 8 giant zucchini!!
Amy Stafford says
I didn’t get as much squash this year as I have in the past. It won’t stop me from trying this amazing looking cake. Love the lemon lime cc frosting.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Amy! We had a record hot/dry Summer in WA and our garden was just exploding everywhere! :)
Marlynn @ UrbanBlissLife says
That lemon lime marmalade looks delicious, and I love this twist on zucchini cake. Can’t wait to try it!
Marlynn says
That lemon lime marmalade looks like spring in ajar! I love this creative twist on zucchini cake. Can’t wait to try it!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Marlynn! The marmalade and cake are both so yummy, it was only natural to combine them!
Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats says
I agree – I would recommend that frosting too!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I know, Ally, a cake without frosting??? NEVER!
Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah says
Sounds like the perfect way to make use of those extra veggies – my mother has this “problem” too, so I know she’ll love this!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Haha! I really shouldn’t be complaining about too much food, but when you’ve had a whole Summer of endless squash and your friends have had enough of taking it off your hands…yeah, it gets a little tiresome :) But, I refuse to waste it, so I’m still cookin’ and bakin’!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
I say yes to zucchini cake always, but this lemon lime cream cheese frosting sounds amazing!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Krista! :)
Jenny B | Honey and Birch says
I love all of the citrus and the zucchini/squash – so much healthier than most cakes I eat! And that marmalade must be amazing!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
For sure, Jenny, this cake packs in a ton of zucchini and it’s 100% whole grain, so it’s definitely a healthier option than most!
Anna @annaDishes says
I love zucchini cake, but I’ve never had it with a lemon lime twist. Sounds fantastic!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Anna, I’m sure you’d love this!
[email protected] Well Floured Kitchen says
What a great way to use up the summer harvest! I love that marmalade frosting too – I would probably eat the whole pan :)
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Yep, I nearly did, Sherri ;)
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
I wonder if anyone still has zucchini at the farmer’s market…I’m going to look when I go down there in a little bit. This looks so yummy! And that frosting…I can never turn down cream cheese frosting but when you add in lemon-lime flavors, I am so there!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
They still have zucchini at mine, I think you’re in luck, Michelle :)
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
Nothing at mine…I just got back. :( Tons of winter squash now. I’ll have to get it at the grocery store.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’ll work just as well, Michelle :) Happy baking!
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
Love seeing new ideas for zucchinioi bread and the citrus element sounds great; thanks for something new!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Barb! In my opinion there are few things that can’t benefit from a bit of citrus :)
Meg @ With Salt and Wit says
That frosting would be dangerous around me! love every inch of this recipe…it’s veggies so I have no guilt eating a slice or two ;)
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I like the way you think, Meg! :)
Susan says
I made this a couple of weeks ago and it was super yummy! Very moist and loved by all. Thank you for this recipe!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Susan!! Isn’t that cream cheese frosting the best? I’m seriously tempted to make a batch just to enjoy on its own :) As always, thanks so much for the feedback, you ROCK! :)
Valerie Treichel says
Wow!!! Just made this today. Did not use the icing and it was so freaking good. Not too sweet, just perfect!! For a special occasion I will make the icing which will take this cake over the top!! Thanks for the recipe. Much appreciated.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’s awesome, Valerie, I’m so happy to hear that, thank you!