Tags: cookery school, cooking classes, Italian cooking, learn to cook, pasta making

There’s a glut of courgettes in the garden – if I served them again for dinner there was going to be mutiny. This cake is the most amazing way to use up those extras you don’t know what to do with! I’m counting this light, moist and utterly delicious cake as one of my 5-a-day. There’s certainly no bribery needed to eat your vegetables when it’s made into something as moreish as this!

Enjoy, Kela x

Courgettes in a bowl outside.
Chocolate courgette cake being made.
Ingredients:
  • 50g good quality cocoa powder (plus extra for dusting)
  • 270g plain flour
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate soda
  • 200g soft brown sugar
  • 150g caster sugar
  • 110g butter, room temp
  • 120ml sunflower oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 free range eggs
  • 120g Greek yogurt (full fat)
  • 315g grated courgette
  • 115g quality dark chocolate, at least 54% cocoa. Melted then left to cool slightly.
Method:
  1. Preheat the oven to 160C fan and oil a 2.8lt Bundt tin or 23cm cake tin. If using a regular cake tin, grease the sides and line the base with parchment.
  2. Sift the cocoa, flour & bicarbonate soda into a bowl and leave to side.
  3. Cream the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. You can use an electric whisk or the paddle attachment on your free-standing mixer.
  4. Gradually drizzle in the oil and vanilla extract then beat for a further 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well between each addition.
  5. Add a 1/3 of the flour mix to the batter, mixing until just combined. I used a spatula to mix. Add 1/2 of the Greek yoghurt, again mixing. Repeat process with the other 1/3 of flour, then the yoghurt then finally the last 1/3 of flour. Mix well between each addition. (See image below)
  6. Add the grated courgette, stirring to combine. Then add in the melted chocolate.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared tin, smoothing around to even out. Give the tin a few hard bangs on the worktop to make sure it settles into the grooves of the Bundt tin and air bubble escape.
  8. Bake for 45-50 minutes in the oven – a skewer inserted should still have some moist crumbs attached. It is really important you don’t overcook this cake.
  9. Allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before turning out onto a serving plate. Dust with extra cocoa powder and serve with Greek yoghurt and berries if you like.

 

"A Magical West Cork Escape"

We stayed at Dunowen House for a long weekend and genuinely didn’t want to leave. From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the beauty of the house and its surroundings – the views, the gardens, the quiet… it’s pure magic. The house itself is full of character and history but still feels incredibly cosy and luxurious.

We loved having our morning coffee overlooking the sea and strolling down to the nearby coves. It was the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Clonakilty is only a few minutes away too, so we had some lovely meals out and picked up bits from the local markets.

"A Dream Wedding Come to Life"

We were blown away with the unmatched beauty of Dunowen – the set- ting, the people and all the details make it come to life. We feel so blessed to have had our wedding here and so grateful for Kela and Stephen for making this the most special day of our lives. We are leaving a piece of our hearts here so we will absolutely have to come back again. All our love

"An Unforgettable Celebration of Love"

I could not have imagined a more beautiful stay and wedding. We took a chance and put our trust in Kela and Stephen, booking Dunowen sight un- seen! What a wonderful experience to celebrate our love with the people we care about most without having to worry about the details. The flow- ers, the food and the accommodations were unforgettable. Thank you for giving us the space to create lifetime memories! Dunowen will have a piece of our heart. We hope to come back and do it again!

"A Perfect Stay"

Kela and Stephen. Thank you for our wonderful stay at Dunowen House and letting us enjoy the beauty of West Cork in your wonderful home and surroundings. We absolutely loved it.

"Another Unforgettable Stay"

Thank you Kela & Stephen for another amazing stay. When you’ve stayed in Dunowen it’s impossible to stay elsewhere. Your house is per- fection!

"A Perfect 70th Celebration"

Many thanks Kela and Stephen for a wonderful stay at Dunowen House. The house is so spacious, especially for our smallish family group who helped me celebrate my 70th birthday. Thanks for the beautiful flowers throughout and all the home baking. We loved the location.

"Surrounded by Dunowen’s Gardens and Coastal Beauty"

Thank you for a wonderful week. Everything was perfect and we loved being able to walk to the beach and sit in the beautiful gardens. Hope to come again.

"A Perfect 80th Birthday Celebration"

The end of a fabulous week celebrating my 80th birthday. It has been a brilliant stay with everything we needed. Just perfect. Thank you so much Kela & Stephen for your thought and kindness. All the best for the future and perhaps we will see you again!

The Ultimate 5-Star Escape

Bravo! You have created the perfect backdrop for a 5 star vacation. Our group of 18 could not have imagined a more comfortable and luxe week. I’ll see you on Instagram and we will all see you again in person next va- cation.

Flowers and fruits cake close up Flowers and fruits cake close up