INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder, sifted
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cups grated zucchini
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease with cooking spray a 9x13 baking pan.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat sugar and oil until well combined, for about 1 minute. Add the eggs, applesauce and vanilla extract, beating until fully combined.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, combine flour, sifted cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
4. Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture alternately with buttermilk, whisking well to combine.
5. Add shredded zucchini. Mix well.
6. Transfer the batter to the baking pan, spreading evenly. Bake for about 16-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle.
7. Remove pan from the oven and sprinkle evenly with one cup of chocolate chips. Place back in the oven and bake for another 5 minutes until the chocolate chips soften a little.
8. Remove from the oven and using a spatula, spread the melted chocolate chips evenly on the cake to form a glaze.
9. Let cool and serve.