Chai-Zucchini Loaf Cakes with Cinnamon Glaze

The seasonal zucchini harvest brings the most tender and anticipated loaf cake. Add pizzazz to your old recipe with an aromatic blend of chai spices and a silky Cinnamon Glaze. The addition of banana acts to bind the batter, and using a neutral oil gives the cakes lightness, tenderness, and undeniable moisture. Sub out water for heavy cream in the glaze to create a dairy-free recipe that everyone can enjoy.

Chai-Zucchini Loaf Cakes with Cinnamon Glaze
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Chai-Zucchini Loaf Cakes with Cinnamon Glaze

Makes 2 (8½x4½-inch) cakes

Ingredients

  • cups (250 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (227 grams) mashed ripe banana
  • cup (147 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cup (112 grams) neutral oil
  • 1 large egg (50 grams), room temperature
  • teaspoons (9 grams) vanilla bean paste
  • 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour
  • teaspoons (3.5 grams) ground cardamom
  • teaspoons (3 grams) ground cinnamon
  • teaspoons (3.75 grams) kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon (5 grams) baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon (1.25 grams) baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 cups (319 grams) shredded zucchini (about 2 large zucchini)
  • ½ cup (57 grams) chopped toasted pecans
  • Cinnamon Glaze (recipe follows)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Spray 2 (8½x4½-inch) loaf pans with cooking spray. Line pans with parchment paper, letting excess extend over sides of pans.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, banana, brown sugar, oil, egg, and vanilla bean paste until well combined.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cardamom, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cloves, and pepper. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture in three additions, folding until just barely combined after each addition. (Mixture will seem very dry at this point, but batter will come together.) Add zucchini and pecans; fold until moistened and combined. Divide batter between prepared pans; using a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon, smooth into an even layer. Tap pans on a kitchen towel-lined counter a few times to settle batter.
  • Bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Using excess parchment as handles, remove from pans, and let cool completely on a wire rack.
  • When ready to serve, discard parchment; spoon and spread Cinnamon Glaze over cooled cakes as desired.

 

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Cinnamon Glaze

Makes about 1¾ cups

Ingredients

  • 2⅔ cups (320 grams) confectioners’ sugar
  • ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons (150 grams) heavy whipping cream
  • ½ teaspoon (1.5 grams) kosher salt
  • teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, stir together all ingredients until smooth and well combined. Use immediately.

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