As a lover of carrot cake it seemed obvious that courgette cake would be just as good! I was right! It took a bit of research and a play with flavours until I had a cake that I was happy with and this is it! ~ delicious ~ 

Yet another simple one and very quick to prepare and get in the oven. We have all tried it and all loved it. You really don’t have to make the cream cheese topping, you could add a lemon drizzle instead or just leave it as it is. Also the edible flowers are not a necessity, chopped walnuts on the top would be good too.

I know it seems strange using courgettes but then carrot cake is still strange to some people but loved by many. This is now my kitchen Garden Cake, courgettes from my mums garden and the edible flowers from mine, a perfect seasonal bake!!

You will need: A greased and lined 900g loaf tin: Fan oven 160 preheated 

• 200g coarsely grated courgette 
• 150g caster sugar
• 1 egg
• 125ml vegetable oil
• 200g plain flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• Zest of two lemons ( unwaxed )
• 40g chopped walnuts ( extra if topping ) 

For the topping ( optional ) 

• 50g soft butter
• 50g icing sugar
• 200g cream cheese ( room temperature )
• Lemon juice ( to taste ) 
• 25g chopped walnuts ( approx ) or edible flowers

Method:
In a bowl, beat together the sugar, egg, oil and courgette.

In a seperate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, bicarbonate and baking powder, stir in the cinnamon along with the lemon zest, add the chopped walnuts and distribute.

Stir in the courgette mixture with the flour mixture until blended.

Pour the batter into your prepared tin.

Bake for 45 mins, or until a skewer comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool in the tin for 10 mins, then move to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Make the cheese topping by beating together the soft butter and icing sugar then adding the cream cheese. Add a little lemon juice and taste add more if you think it needs it. Cover the top of the cake using a palette knife. Decorate with flowers or walnuts.

Put the kettle on! 

Enjoy Deb x