by Danae · Published: Aug 3, 2015 · Updated: Aug 20, 2021
You’ll love these moist Skinny Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes topped with chocolate cream cheese frosting! You’ll never suspect that they are whole wheat and loaded with healthy zucchini!
Do you guys remember last week when I posted a picture on Instagram of a tasty little chocolate cupcake? Well today is the day that I’m finally sharing the recipe for these Skinny Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes!
I know it hasn’t even been a full week since I shared the photo of the cupcake, but they were so darn good I couldn’t wait another day post the recipe. My garden is currently on zucchini/summer squash overload and I’m frantically trying to come up with recipes and ways to use it. I’ve already started giving some of it away to my aunt because I honestly can’t use it fast enough. I’ve also realized that going out and checking for new zucchini every 4 days isn’t often enough. The last two times I have gone out to do some harvesting a giant 5 pound, 14 inch long zucchini has been staring me in the face! Seriously, where did it come from? I was just out here a few days ago and there was nothing! I should probably just make everyone on our street a batch of these Skinny Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes then maybe I can get rid of one these beasts!
I called these cupcakes skinny because as far as cupcakes go they are on the lower fat side of the scale and I bumped up the nutrition not only by adding zucchini, but by using whole wheat pastry flour. You might be thinking, what the heck is a vegetable doing in a cupcake, but don’t judge until you taste one of them. I 100% guarantee that you will not taste the zucchini. Heck, my husband didn’t have a clue and he can spot when I made something healthy a mile away!
What you will taste is a super moist chocolatey cupcake! The moisture is all thanks to the zucchini and the Greek yogurt which also double as added nutrients and protein. Since this is a cupcake after all it needed some frosting and chocolate cream cheese frosting was the clear winner. I managed to keep the frosting on the lighter side as well by using low fat cream cheese and replacing the butter with Greek yogurt. The frosting is perfectly sweet, creamy, and full of chocolate flavor!
More Cupcake Recipes
Pistachio Green Tea Cupcakes with Matcha Cream Cheese Frosting
Chocolate Stuffed Cupcakes with Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting
Strawberry Filled Angel Food Cupcakes
Yield: 10 cupcakes
Skinny Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Inactive Time20 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil or olive oil
- 1 egg
- 1 egg white
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
- 1 cup shredded zucchini, squeeze out any excess liquid with your hands
- 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour flour
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 ounces low fat cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons plain non-fat Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. and line a muffin pan with 10 parchment paper baking cups or spray the inside of regular baking cups with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or with a hand held mixer, beat together the brown sugar and oil until completely combined. Add in the egg and egg white and beat again until combined. Add in the Greek yogurt, shredded zucchini and vanilla extract and beat for about 1 minute.
- Pour in a 1/3 of the flour mixture and beat until just combined, then pour in half of the milk beating again until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl then repeat the process ending with the flour mixture.
- Pour or scoop the batter into the cupcake liners until they are about 3/4 of the way full. Place the cupcakes on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack before frosting them.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment or with a hand held mixer add in all of the ingredients.
- Start the mixer on low then once the powdered sugar is incorporated turn it up to high and beat until smooth and combined. Stop once to scrape down the sides of the bowl then beat again for another 1-2 minutes.
Notes
Because the cupcakes don't contain much oil they will probably stick to the cupcake liners which is why I recommend using the parchment paper liners. If you can't find them simple spray the insides of regular liners with cooking or baking spray.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 187Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 244mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 2gSugar: 16gProtein: 7g
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Hi, I’m Danae! Blogger, photographer, and avid runner! My mission is to create delicious, mostly healthy, easy, and balanced meals that use a variety of fresh and affordable ingredients. You’ll find everything from one pan skillet dinners, to colorful salads, comforting pasta recipes, the occasional treat, and more.
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Kausha saysThese look amazing!! Can i substitute the flour with All purpose flour and the cream cheese frosting with a light buttercream(very less butter, icing sugar and milk for consistency) thank you!
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- Danae says
Yes, the flour can be replaced with all purpose flour. You can top it with whatever frosting you like best.
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- Ana says
Hi! Looking for a skinny cake to make for my hubby’s b-day. Could these be made into a cake?? They look delicious!!
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- Danae says
Hi Ana,
I haven’t tried making these into a cake, but I’m sure it will work just fine. It will probably just need to bake a little longer. You should be able to find baking time conversions for this online depending on what size cake pan you’re planning to use.
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- Chelsea says
Hi! These look so good!
With the shredded zucchini, can you see the bits of zucchini after they’re baked? I was wondering if instead of shredding if I could just throw them in the blender or food processor to make the bits smaller – OR would it be pointless because the bits are small enough to not be recognized? (Going to make these for my babe’s 1st birthday this weekend!!) :)
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- Danae says
Hi Chelsea,
You can’t see the zucchini once they’re baked, no need to put it in the food processor. Happy birthday to your baby, so fun!
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- Chelsea says
Awesome, thanks so much for your quick reply! And thank you for the birthday wishes!
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- Dea says
Can I use glutenfree flour instead of whole wheat
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- Danae says
Hi Dea,
I haven’t tried making these cupcakes with gluten-free flour so I can’t say for sure if they will turn out. If you try it, I’d love to hear the results.
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- Diane says
Just made these (the only addition I added was a handful of chocolate chips to the batter just for kicks)–they are amazing!! This is the first “skinny” cupcake recipe I found that doesn’t taste like a sponge (seriously though, it’s so hard to find a healthier, but still delicious alternative). They’re so good! Thanks for sharing!
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- Danae says
Thank you Diane! I’m so glad you liked the cupcakes and I agree it is hard finding “healthier” ones that don’t taste funny. These are one of my favorite cupcakes and everyone always seems to enjoy them!
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These cupcakes are gorgeous, Danae! That chocolate icing, OMG. I wish I had a bowl of it. :)
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- Danae says
Thanks Julie! I helped myself to far too much of that chocolate frosting, soooo good!
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- Sarah Sonnamaker says
Chocolate cream cheese frosting sounds delicious! I love these pictures too.
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- Danae says
Thanks Sarah! The frosting is so good!
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- charlotte says
Just so your readers know, I always use regular whole wheat flour instead of ww pastry flour. It always works.
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- Julia says
The chooooocolate! Oof those look so rich and inviting! They definitely wouldn’t be safe under my roof – I’d have a difficult time prying my mouth away from them, ha! Love the chocolate and zucchini combo and the fact that they’re lightened up!
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I have 3 words: gimme gimme gimme!
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- Danae says
Ok, ok, ok! :-)
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Girl I have never wanted so much chocolate all at one time! And not to mention, they are gorgeous!
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- Danae says
Thanks Meg! Chocolate isn’t usually my first choice, but when I want it, I want it. These cupcakes were the perfect way to satisfy my craving!
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- Catherine says
Dear Danae, my goodness I cannot wait to give these a try. They look luscious and sinfully delicious- even though they aren’t sinful at all! I love baking with zucchini…I throw it in all my cakes. Pinned for later dear. xo, Catherine
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- Danae says
Thanks Catherine! Have I ever mentioned how much I love getting your comments, you are so sweet!
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I want this cupcake in my mouth right now. I love chocolate. And zucchini. And baked chocolate goods with zucchini. And extra frosting :)
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- Danae says
Me too, me too, me too, me too, and definitely me too! Thanks Aimee! :-)
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These look amazing! I would never guess they have zucchini in them. You are super sneaky! I’ll take 3, please!
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- Danae says
Thanks Liz! My husband had no clue there was zucchini in them either…I love being sneaky like that. ;-)
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Skinny and chocolate — I like that combination! :) And that perfectly piped icing? Impressive.
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- Danae says
Thanks Nicole! :-)
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Oh my gosh, Danae, these cupcakes look like heaven! Love those rich ribbons of chocolate on top and that the muffins contain zucchini in them!
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- Danae says
Thanks Lisa! The cupcakes were pretty heavenly if you ask me. :-)
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These look fabulous! I use cream cheese in frostings, too; it works perfectly! But I add chocolate chips to mine ;). Thanks for the recipe!
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- Danae says
Thanks Margaret Ann! Adding chocolate chips can only make things better, right?! :-)
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Always! :)
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- Beth says
Danae, they look SO good, I want to reach through and grab one!
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- Danae says
Thanks Beth! Wish I could magically make one appear in front of you!
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These look amazing!! I wish I could grab one from the screen and dig in ;)
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- Danae says
Thanks Rachel! I wish I could hand you one through the computer screen! ;-)
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Oh,egawsh! These cupcakes are to die for! Love the coconut oil and Greek yogurt in them – they look so luscious and decadent!
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- Danae says
Thanks Sashi! They were so decadent, I loved them!
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