ZUCCHINI-PECAN CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Zucchini-Pecan Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting image

Provided by Ian Knauer

Yield Makes 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

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Cake:
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup olive oil (not extra-virgin)
1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups coarsely grated zucchini (about 8 ounces)
3/4 cup chopped pecans
Frosting:
1/2 8-ounce package Philadelphia brand cream cheese (do not use reduced-fat or fat-free), room temperature
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Steps:

For cake:
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Line 9-inch-diameter cake pan with 2-inch-high sides with parchment paper. Coat parchment paper with nonstick spray.
Whisk flour, baking powder, coarse salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in medium bowl to blend well. Whisk oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in large bowl to blend well; fold in flour mixture, then grated zucchini and pecans. Transfer cake batter to prepared pan.
Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool cake completely in pan on rack, about 1 hour. Cut around sides of pan to loosen. Turn cake out onto platter; peel off parchment paper.
For frosting:
Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter in medium bowl until blended. Beat in sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Spread frosting thickly over top of cake. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
Cut cake into wedges and serve.