chocolate zucchini cake

i don't know if you like zucchini, but i guarantee that you will like this cake if you like chocolate. it is moist and delicious.

in my family we made this cake many times during the late summer months when my parents had more zucchinis from their garden than they knew what to do with. i look forward to the day when i have a patch of land where i can grow my own garden.

this recipe is my grandma tippetts' and i have made a few adjustments to it.

chocolate zucchini cake : janet tippetts

batter:

1/2 c. butter, melted
1/2 c. canola oil
1 3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 c. grated zucchini
2 1/4 c flour
1 t. vanilla
1/2 c. buttermilk
1/2 c. cocoa
1/4 t. cinnamon
1 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
1 1/2 t. baking powder

topping:

1 c. chocolate chips
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)

(high altitude adjustment: add 1/4 more flour)

preheat oven to 350 degrees
grease and flour a 9x13x2 cake pan*
combine all ingredients and sprinkle topping ingredients on top before baking.
bake for 30-40 min
it is done when a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean

*i like to use a loaf pan for my small family. i don't like ending up with too much extra cake (bryan doesn't eat many sweets, so i end up finishing it off...whatever size the cake it is.) if you want to make it in a loaf pan like i did, then 1/2 the recipe.