Final yr I created this distinctive, completely scrumptious espresso cake as a result of I used to be actually on a espresso cake kick. Okay, I nonetheless am. This can be a salted butterscotch zucchini espresso cake baked with wealthy brown butter (the one and solely) and topped with a lightweight, completely candy brown butter glaze.
I LOVE baking with butterscotch chips as a result of they’re simply such a enjoyable pop of sweetness with their caramel-like taste! You possibly can, in fact, customise with different chips and glazes in the event you’d like however belief me once I say this cake is love at first chunk.
Substances on this zucchini espresso cake
This attractive butterscotch zucchini espresso cake is less complicated to make than you suppose and makes use of loads of baking staples. The result’s an out-of-this-world scrumptious cake with the right crumb. Right here’s what you’ll want:
- Flour: we’re utilizing all goal flour in each the streusel topping and within the cake itself. See beneath for a straightforward gluten-free swap!
- Sweeteners: you’ll want darkish brown sugar for the streusel, a little bit pure maple syrup for the cake itself, and powdered sugar for the brown butter glaze.
- Butter: what’s a espresso cake with out butter? You’ll want common salted butter to assist the streusel come collectively for the right texture, after which we’re browning that butter for the cake batter AND glaze as a result of brown butter = life.
- Eggs: you’ll want 2 eggs to assist the cake bake up correctly.
- Zucchini: in the event you’re not including shredded zucchini to bake items, WYD?! This little vegetable provides the right quantity of moisture and also you gained’t be capable of style it in any respect.
- Yogurt: a little bit plain or vanilla whole-milk Greek yogurt additionally helps add moisture to the cake.
- Baking staples: gotta have vanilla extract, a little bit cinnamon, baking soda and baking powder, and salt.
- Butterscotch chips: I simply love these, okay? Plus butterscotch chips paired with brown butter is just about a match made in heaven.
- Milk: you’ll additionally want a tiny little bit of milk to skinny out the glaze.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Sure! Make a gluten-free zucchini espresso cake by merely swapping the all-purpose flour for 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour. Really easy.
What about dairy-free or vegan?
Be at liberty to make use of your favourite dairy-free yogurt (I like siggi’s plant-based cups) and dairy-free butter on this recipe to maintain it dairy-free. Please observe that you just can’t brown dairy-free/vegan butter, so merely soften it earlier than including it to the recipe. You’ll additionally need to add dairy-free chocolate chips (or butterscotch chips if you could find them).
I haven’t examined this zucchini espresso cake utilizing flax eggs, however let me know within the feedback in the event you do! Then keep in mind to comply with the dairy-free directions above.
Extra great mix-ins
- Not a fan of butterscotch? No downside! Swap them for chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or cinnamon chips (yum).
- I additionally love making a toasted pecan butterscotch espresso cake by mixing in 1/2 cup heaping chopped toasted pecans to the batter with the butterscotch chips. It’s SO cozy and completely scrumptious.
Tips on how to make this scrumptious zucchini espresso cake
- Make the streusel topping. Combine the entire streusel elements (besides the butter) in a bowl till nicely mixed, then pour within the melted butter and blend till good clumps kind. I like to make use of my arms to kind a number of the clumps. Cowl and place the bowl within the fridge.
- Brown the butter. Brown the butter in a saucepan, then set it apart to chill. Reserve a tablespoon to make use of within the glaze!
- Prep your zucchini. Use a field grater to shred your complete zucchini, then squeeze out ALL of the surplus moisture with a clear dish towel or cheesecloth.
- Combine the moist elements. Measure out 1 cup of the shredded, squeezed-out zucchini and add it to a big bowl. Whisk in the remainder of the moist elements (besides the butter) till nicely mixed.
- Make the batter. Whisk collectively the entire dry elements in a separate bowl, then add the combination to the moist elements and blend with a wood spoon till simply mixed. Stir within the brown butter till easy, then fold within the butterscotch chips.
- Bake it up. Pour the batter right into a ready pan (see beneath for choices!), sprinkle with the crumble topping, and bake.
- Glaze & devour. Whereas the cake is baking combine collectively the entire elements for the glaze. Let the cake cool utterly earlier than drizzling the glaze over it, then slice and revel in!
Select your espresso cake pans
I like to make use of a 9 inch springform pan to make all of my espresso cake recipes as a result of it creates a very fairly look and may simply be faraway from the pan, however you too can use an everyday 9 inch cake pan OR an 8×8 inch sq. pan.
Storing and freezing suggestions
- To retailer: hold the zucchini espresso cake lined at room temperature for 1-2 days, then place it within the fridge lined for as much as 1 week.
- To freeze: let the cake cool after which wrap it nicely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Place the complete cake in a zip-top freezer bag. Whenever you’re able to serve it, thaw the cake within the fridge in a single day, then let the cake come to room temp earlier than including the brown butter glaze and serving it.
Instruments you’ll want
Get all of my kitchen necessities right here!
Extra superb cake recipes
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I hope you like this salted butterscotch zucchini espresso cake! Should you make it make sure you depart a remark and a ranking so I understand how you preferred it. Get pleasure from, xo!
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Salted Butterscotch Zucchini Espresso Cake
Essentially the most unbelievable zucchini espresso cake with candy butterscotch chips and wealthy brown butter baked proper into the cake. High it off with the right streusel and a luscious brown butter glaze for an attractive dessert or brunch deal with everybody will love!
Substances
- Streusel:
- 1 cup (120g) all goal flour*
- ½ cup (107g) packed darkish brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon floor cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons (70g) salted butter, melted
- Moist elements:
- ⅓ cup (75g) salted butter
- 1 medium to giant zucchini
- ½ cup (112g) plain or vanilla whole-milk Greek yogurt (use vanilla if you would like a sweeter cake)
- ½ cup (156g) pure maple syrup
- 2 giant eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Dry elements and Combine-ins:
- 1 ¾ cup (210g) all goal flour
- 1 teaspoon floor cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 heaping cup (180g) butterscotch chips
- For the brown butter glaze:
- 1 tablespoon reserved brown butter
- ½ cup (52g) powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 teaspoons milk of selection, to skinny glaze
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously coat a 9-inch spherical springform pan with nonstick cooking spray, or line a 9-inch spherical cake pan or an 8 x 8 inch sq. pan with parchment paper.
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Make the streusel topping: in a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the 6 tablespoons of melted butter and stir along with a fork till it begins to kind into crumbles and resembles clumps of moist sand. You could want to make use of your arms/fingers to kind into good thick “clumps.” Cowl the bowl with plastic wrap and place within the fridge for later.
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Brown the butter: Add ⅓ cup (75g) butter to a medium pot or saucepan and place over medium warmth. The butter will start to soften, crackle, after which ultimately foam. Be sure to whisk continuously throughout this course of. After a few minutes, the butter will start to brown and switch a pleasant golden amber coloration on the underside of the saucepan, this often occurs as soon as it foams. Proceed to whisk and take away from warmth as quickly because the butter begins to show a golden amber brown coloration and provides off a nutty aroma. Put aside to chill for 10 minutes. Take away 1 tablespoon of the butter and switch it to a medium bowl; this will probably be used for the glaze.
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Put together the moist elements: First, use a cheese grater to shred the zucchini, then place shredded zucchini in a clear dish towel or cheese fabric and squeeze out the entire moisture/water. This is essential to get the entire extra moisture out and discard the ‘zucchini water’ first! Subsequent measure out 1 heaping cup (~170g) shredded zucchini; I don’t advocate utilizing greater than this quantity within the cake. In a big bowl, whisk collectively the shredded zucchini, yogurt, maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla extract till nicely mixed, easy, and creamy. (Don’t add the butter but.)
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Put together the dry elements and mix-ins: In a medium bowl whisk collectively the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry elements to the moist elements and use a wood spoon to combine till simply mixed. Lastly, gently stir the brown butter into the batter till easy and nicely mixed. Don’t overmix. Lastly, fold the butterscotch chips into the batter.
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Pour batter to the ready pan and evenly unfold. Sprinkle the highest with the entire streusel topping.
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Bake the cake: Place cake within the oven till a tester comes out clear with only a few crumbs hooked up, 40 to 50 minutes. Permit the cake to chill for half-hour earlier than glazing.
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Make the glaze: Within the bowl with the 1 tablespoon of reserved brown butter (ensure that it’s nonetheless liquid and hasn’t solidified but when it does simply heat within the microwave for 10 seconds or so), add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon milk and stir till nicely mixed. If essential, add further milk, ½ teaspoon at a time, to skinny out the glaze so you’ll be able to drizzle it over the cake. Drizzle forwards and backwards over the cake, then sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Reduce into 10-12 slices and revel in it heat with a cup of espresso for a little bit morning deal with!
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To retailer: Hold the espresso cake lined at room temperature for 1 day, then place it within the fridge lined for as much as 1 week.
Recipe Notes
Toasted Pecan Butterscotch Espresso Cake: Stir in ½ heaping cup chopped toasted pecans to the batter with the butterscotch chips.
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Formidable Kitchen | Pictures by: Eat Love Eats
This publish was initially printed on August thirteenth, 2024, and republished on October sixteenth, 2025.