FUDGY ORANGE-ZUCCHINI CAKE WITH ORANGE GLAZE

Fudgy Orange-Zucchini Cake with Orange Glaze image

Number Of Ingredients 19

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup butter
2 cups sugar
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup milk
3 cups grated zucchini
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1 cup chopped nuts
calendula blossoms and petals, tuberous begonia blossoms, or orange mint sprigs, for garnish
Orange Glaze
1 1/4 cups sifted confectioner' sugar
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon together and set aside. In a bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs, vanilla and milk to the butter mixture. Stir in the dry ingredients and mix until well blended. Fold in the zucchini, orange zest and nuts. Pour into a greased and floured bundt cake pan.Bake 50 to 60 minutes. Allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes before turning out onto a rack.
To make the glaze, in a bowl mix together the sugar, orange juice and vanilla. While the cake is still warm, drizzle with the glaze. Garnish with flowers or mint sprigs.