Lemony Zucchini Cake

This was the dessert course for my St. Patrick's Day Dinner Party, and it was a huge hit. I'm sure you've heard (or read) me talk about lemon zest before, but it really is a magical ingredient, brightening up an entire dish and taking it to the next level. If you don't like/want lemon, you can reduce the zest for just a hint of flavor, or use orange zest for this recipe. I used oil here for richness, but you can always substitute applesauce or a pureed banana for a healthier version.

Lemony Zucchini Cake

Ingredients:

2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
zest of 1 lemon
2 cups shredded zucchini (~3 zucchinis)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 + 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or raisins (optional)

Directions:

1. Blend together eggs, applesauce, oil, sugar, vanilla, salt and zest. Stir in zucchini.
2. Sift together BP, BS and 1 cup of flour, then add to wet ingredients.
3. Pour into 9 x 13 greased pan, bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes until toothpick from center comes out clean.

The cost:
eggs: .39
sugar: .45
lemon: .23
zucchini: 2.39
flour: .55

Grand total: $4.01

Dinner Party Dessert: Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Banana Walnut Cake

Yes I know, you've seen to many banana baked goods recipes, and you're right, this is another variation of plenty of previous recipes. What can I say, bananas make a great base for baking, and frankly, I never have any leftovers :)

Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Banana Walnut Cake

Ingredients:

3 overripe bananas, pureed
2 eggs
1/4 cup applesauce
splash of vanilla
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 + 1/4 cups gluten free flour
1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree and spray a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, blend bananas, eggs, applesauce and vanilla.
3. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, salt & pepper. Add baking soda and baking powder.
4. Stir in 1 cup of flour; the batter should be pretty thick, so if you had large bananas add up to 1/4 cup more flour.
5. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.
6. Pour into pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until edges are browned and top is firm.

The cost: $4.00, give or take

Dinner Party (5 of 5): Cinnamon Banana Cake w/ Candied Walnuts

I've been remixing this recipe a lot because I love banana muffins/cake, and this recipe has been great in every variation I have tried. As the final course of my dinner party, I wanted something sweet but not too heavy since we had already eaten so much. I used oil here since it's a dessert, but you can also substitute applesauce for a lower fat version.

P.S. In case you missed them, check out the other dinner party recipes here!

Cinnamon Banana Cake w/ Candied Walnuts

Ingredients:

3 overripe bananas, pureed
2 eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp fresh ground nutmeg
1 Tbsp cinnamon
zest and juice of 1 meyer lemon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 + 1/4 cup flour (I used gluten free)
1/4 cup candied walnuts

Directions:

1. Blend bananas, eggs, oil, sugar, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, lemon zest and juice.
2. Sift together BP, BS and flour. Stir into wet mixture. Fold in walnuts.
3. Pour batter into greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees 15-20 minutes until edges are browned and top is firm and golden.

The cost: about $4.00