Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes Recipe

Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Spread pecans onto a baking sheet. Cut butter into small pieces and scatter on top of pecans.

Broil in the preheated oven until pecans start to turn golden brown and become fragrant about 5 minutes watching carefully to prevent burning. Remove from oven and allow to cool about 10 minutes. Transfer pecans to a cutting board and smash or crush into small pieces.

Turn off broiler and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 18 cups of a muffin tin with paper liners. Spray inside of liners with cooking spray.

Combine zucchini oil and eggs in a large mixing bowl.

Mix flour sugar toasted pecans sugar cocoa powder cinnamon and salt in a bowl. Add zucchini mixture and stir to combine. Fill muffin tin cups 3/4 full with batter.

Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.

While cupcakes bake cut softened cream cheese and butter into small pieces and place in a mixing bowl. Add sugar and almond extract. Mix icing using an electric mixer until smooth about 5 minutes. Store in the refrigerator until use.

Remove cupcakes from the oven and let cool completely before frosting about 1 hour.