Funday Sunday: Zucchini Brownies

Yep, I'm aware that it is not Sunday. I don't care, I had to share this awesome recipe for zucchini brownies. You see I am drowning in zucchini. I've won my battle against the squash beetle (well still battling I guess) and I am left with more zucchini than I know what to do with. It's a wonderful thing to have this problem. So I've raided the internet in hopes of finding something new and exciting to make. I've burnt everyone out on zucchini bread and sauteing it, so the newest thing is zucchini brownies. They are moist and so delicious. Please give em a try if you too find yourself with a zucchini or two to spare. Best thing? The kids don't know they are plowing into something packed full of shredded veggies! I even got Wesley to eat the batter (no egg in it) and he came back wanting more. If a 13x9 inch pan of these is too much you can successfully halve the recipe and put it in a round 8 or 9 inch pan.

Zucchini Brownies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Frosting

• 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup margarine
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, baking soda and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Fold in the zucchini and walnuts. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until brownies spring back when gently touched. To make the frosting, melt together the 6 tablespoons of cocoa and margarine; set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, blend together the confectioners' sugar, milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in the cocoa mixture. Spread over cooled brownies before cutting into squares.