Zucchini Season........Carrot & Zucchini Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

It's that time of year again!  The gardens are producing like crazy and everyone is wondering what in the world they can do to get rid of their zucchini crop!  I know, I know... there's only so much one can do with zucchini! Well, I think you may be surprised!  Over the years, I have grown an amazing garden, but with moving this year, we just didn't get one planted.  I haven't missed taking care of it so much, as I've been keeping plenty busy, however I can't believe how much I have missed the produce! And as funny as it may seem, I really miss my Zucchini!  Well, that was, until, some great friends heard my cry for help!  I now have zucchini coming out my ears.  Don't get me wrong... I am NOT complaining!  I am excited! 

As you may have read... my Grandma passed away the first part of August.  She was the zucchini bread and zucchini cake queen!  And she always had some to share.  I decided that I should take on this tradition as my own.  I want to keep her traditions alive as well as I can.  So, I thought I'd bake some zucchini bread, cake, brownies, etc. and share them with those that I love!  I seriously can NOT believe how many great recipes are out there! In the past, I have made mock apple crisp with zucchini and no one knew the difference.  :) My Mom makes zucchini relish and bottles it and it is yummy! I have learned that zucchini is a vegetable, that while not having much flavor of it's own, will take on the flavor of what you cook it with or season it with.  For instance, if you seeded, peeled and sliced zucchini, adding it to a mixture of cinnamon, brown sugar, butter, nutmeg, applesauce... you get the picture... it's going to take on the flavor of an apple crisp and it provides the texture of the apple!  It was seriously really good!(If I ever find where I hid the recipe, I'll share). If you steam zucchini with another vegetable, it will take on the flavor of  that other vegetable! So, really, zucchini is quite fun! Because it can be used in so many different way!

So, I've decided to try some new recipes, and also share some of my favorites with you.  Recipes using ZUCCHINI!  I hope you enjoy them.  I have plenty to share, so stay tuned for more!

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Today's recipe I want to share is one from Better Homes and Gardens. I found it on Pinterest!  Have you got the hang of Pinterest yet?  Well, at first I thought it didn't make sense, but then, realized that there are endless ideas on there!  And I have found so many new recipe and decor ideas!  Love it! { If you do have a Pinterest account, click the button in my right sidebar and follow me on Pinterest!} This recipe is like the best of two of favorite things... Carrot Cake and Zucchini Bread! And it's soooo good!  It's chock full of goodness and flavor!  I just love the way that zucchini can add moisture, then add carrots and oh my!... Yummy!  Of course, once you add the Cream Cheese Frosting....extra YUMMY!!!

Carrot & Zucchini Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

adapted from Better Homes and Gardens

by From Cupboard to Cupboard

2 eggs, slightly beaten

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup canola oil

1/4 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups shredded carrot

1 cup shredded zucchini

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp baking soda

Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 cup butter
4 oz cream cheese
1 lb powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
splash of milk if needed

Or use your own favorite cream cheese frosting!

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, oil, honey, and vanilla.  Don’t worry about clumps of the brown sugar, those will dissolve as it sits while you prepare the remaining ingredients.  Then fold in the carrot, zucchini, and walnuts
2. In another bowl combine add the flour, baking powder, ginger, and baking soda.  Whisk to blend together.
3. Add to flour mixture to the wet mixture. Stir just until combined. Spread batter into an ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
4. Bake about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
5. Once the cake is cooled prepare the frosting.   In a medium mixing bowl, beat the fosting ingredients with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy.  Spread or pipe the frosting over the cooled bars.  Makes 36 bars.

Happy Cooking!

Teauna