3/4cupunsweetened baking cocoaDutch-process works well with this recipe
3cupsshredded zucchini
1/2cupsemi-sweet chocolate chips
Ganache Frosting
7 Tablespoonsheavy cream
8 ouncessemi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
The Cake
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Lightly grease a 9" x 13" pan.
Grate the fresh zucchini - until you have 3 cups. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, oil, sugar, vanilla, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until smooth.
Beat in the eggs, adding one at a time.
Stir in the sour cream, buttermilk or yogurt.
Measure out 1 cup flour and set aside.
Combine the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour and the baking cocoa.
Add the flour/cocoa mix to the wet ingredients, beating together until well incorporated.
Drain any accumulated moisture from the shredded zucchini. If your squash is exceptionally moist, gently squeeze the squash to remove excess liquid.
Combine the drained squash with the reserved 1 cup of flour (this will help suspend the squash throughout the batter).
Add the squash and the chocolate chips to the batter, stirring gently to combine.
Spoon the batter into the prepared cake pan,
Bake for 40 minutes, or until the top of the cake springs back when gently touched, and the cake looks set.
Remove from the oven and cool completely before frosting with Ganache Frosting
Ganache Frosting
In a small saucepan, combine 7 Tablespoons heavy cream or half and half with 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the chocolate is completely melted.
Pour the melted chocolate/cream mixture onto the cooled cake.
Spread over the top of the cake.
Notes
If you don't have buttermilk, sour cream or yogurt on hand, you can sour milk by adding 1 Tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup milk - and letting it sour for 5 minutes before using.