Black Bottom Zucchini Brownies

Ingredients

For the Brownies

• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups fresh zucchini (finely shredded and drained)
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup cocoa
• 1/2 cup walnuts (optional) or pecans (optional) or semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

For the Glaze

• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/3 cup canned milk (half and half if you prefer)
• 2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 9 x 13 baking pan.

2. 2

   Stir the first 4 ingredients by hand until well combined. Drain any liquid from the shredded zucchini, add and mix until completely coated.

3. 3

   Sift together the flour, baking powder soda and salt and add it to the zucchini mixture. Stir until the dry ingredients are evenly combined and add any optional ingredients.

4. 4

   In a separate bowl, mix half of the batter with the coca then spread evenly over the bottom of the baking pan.

5. 5

   Spread the remaining batter over the top until the chocolate batter is covered.

6. 6

   Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned and the center tests done.

7. 7

   Cool for about 5-10 minutes, while you prepare the glaze.

8. 8

   Combine sugar, butter and canned milk in a small pan and stir occasionally on stovetop until it begins to boil.

9. 9

   Stir continuously for 1 minute while the mixture boils then remove from heat and add the chocolate chips.

10. 10

    Stir until smooth and spread evenly over brownies (add a little more butter if needed for good spreading consistency).

11. 11

    After brownies have cooled and the glaze is set, cut and enjoy!