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Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Baked Goods

Courgette and Lime Cake

Updated: Nov 11, 2024 · Published: Apr 24, 2023 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made · 20 Comments

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Diet: Vegetarian
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Courgette and lime cake with a text title overlay.
Courgette and lime cake with a text title overlay.

This incredibly moist courgette and lime cake is fresh and zesty and just the perfect summer cake. A great way to use up some courgettes, it's topped with a lime cream cheese frosting and crunchy pistachios. A real show stopper cake, but so easy to make in one bowl.

A loaf cake, topped with frosting and crushed pistachios.

This is the most incredibly moist cake you will eat and that's thanks to the courgettes. A light and fluffy courgette cake that looks so beautiful that it is perfect for an afternoon tea and the kind of cake you would expect to see at a posh tea room.

If you love carrot cake, then this is very similar in the way it is made and how moist it is. And like carrot cake doesn't taste like carrots, this courgette cake doesn't taste like courgette. Topping off with the creamy frosting, which adds even more lime flavour.

If you are looking for more loaf cake recipes, then why not try our Healthy Banana Bread, Coffee and Walnut Loaf Cake or Chocolate Loaf Cake?

Jump to:
  • Why You Will Love It
  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • Variations
  • How to Make Courgette and Lime Cake - Step by Step
  • Storage
  • Extra Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Courgette Recipes
  • Recipe
  • Feedback

Why You Will Love It

  • Made in one bowl - This is such an easy courgette loaf cake and it's all done in one bowl. Less washing up sounds good to us!
  • A great way to use up courgettes - If you have ever grown courgettes, then you will know that you end up with way more than you need or can use. After you have made Courgette Soup and Courgette Fritters, you will be looking for new ways to use them and this is something a little different.
  • Small batch - This makes a small loaf cake, so it's perfect for when you have guests and don't want lots left over.
  • Freezes well - This cake freezes really well if you do have leftovers.

Ingredients and Substitutions

All the ingredients needed to make this recipe with text overlay labels.

A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

  • Courgette (zucchini) - The star of the courgette cake. When picking your courgettes, keep in mind that smaller courgettes are sweeter, and better for cakes.
  • Brown sugar - This adds a lovely caramel flavour and also a nice colour to the loaf. You could use caster sugar instead if you prefer.
  • Egg - We used a medium egg.
  • Oil - We used vegetable oil, but you could use sunflower or rapeseed oil. Don't use something like olive oil, as the flavour is too overpowering.
  • Flour - We used plain flour, also known as all purpose flour.
  • Baking powder & soda - These help the cake to rise and get nice and fluffy.
  • Vanilla - Vanilla adds a richness and also helps to bring out the rest of the flavours.
  • Limes - Choose unwaxed limes that are nice and juicy.
  • Butter - Unsalted butter.
  • Cream cheese - Try to use the best quality cream cheese you can, as it will make such a difference to your cream cheese frosting.
  • Icing sugar - This sweetens the frosting. Sieve out all the lumps for a really smooth frosting.
  • Pistachios - This is optional, but these sprinkled on top make a really stunning looking courgette and lime cake and add some nice crunch to the finished cake. You can even mix some chopped pistachios into the cake mixture too.

Variations

You could follow this exact recipe for courgette lime cake and swap the courgette for carrots if you prefer. If you do this, maybe adjust the amount of lime used and add in a little cinnamon or ginger too.

You don't have to add frosting if you want to keep the sugar levels down. You could just drizzle it with icing and blitz the pistachios so they will stick to a drizzle.

You could also turn this into cupcakes. To make 8 cupcakes, follow the recipe up until you would pour it into a loaf tin. Then divide the mixture between 8 cupcake cases that are in a muffin tin.

Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6 for 18-20 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean. You can add the frosting onto them too.

How to Make Courgette and Lime Cake - Step by Step

Prep: Preheat your oven to 190°C/170°C(fan)/375°F/Gas 5. Line a 1lb/400g loaf tin with baking paper.

Two shot collage of egg, sugar and oil in a bowl, before and after mixing.
  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, add the brown sugar, oil and egg (a). Beat together until smooth (b).
Flour, baking powder and soda added to the bowl, then mixed in.
  1. Step 2: Add the flour, baking powder and baking soda (a). Gently fold in (b).
Vanilla, lime zest and grated courgette added to the bowl, then mixed in.
  1. Step 3: Add the vanilla, lime zest and grated courgette (a). Gently fold in (b).
The cake batter poured into a lined loaf tin, then cooked.
  1. Step 4: Pour the mixture into the lined loaf tin (a). Bake for 40 minutes, making sure a skewer comes out clean.
    Once cooked, leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then on a wire rack for 20 minutes (b).
Butter and cream cheese in a mixing bowl, then beaten together.
  1. Step 5: In a mixing bowl add the butter and cream cheese (a). Beat together until smooth (b).
Icing sugar added to the bowl, then mixed in.
  1. Step 6: Add the icing sugar (a) and mix in (b).
Vanilla, lime juice and zest added to the bowl, then mixed in.
  1. Step 7: Add the vanilla, lime juice and lime zest (a) and mix in (b).
Frosting spread over the cake then topped with crushed pistachios.
  1. Step 8: Once the cake has cooled, spread the frosting over the top (a). Top the frosting with crushed pistachios and more lime zest (b).

Storage

Store: This cake stores really well. You need to keep it in the fridge because of the cream cheese frosting, but it will keep in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Freeze: This actually freezes really well, but ideally without the frosting on it as that doesn't defrost very well. Wrap individual slices and then put in a freezer bag.

Defrost: You can defrost this at room temperature.

A loaf cake with a slice cut off.

Extra Tips

  • This recipe calls for 100g of courgette. That is about the size of a small courgette or half a medium one. It's important to weigh the courgette, as adding too much can make the cake too soggy.
  • Smaller courgettes are sweeter than larger ones, so keep this in mind when choosing your courgette.
  • We don't recommend squeezing the liquid out of the courgette, because that is what makes this such a moist lime and courgette cake.
  • Make sure to us the biggest part of your grater. If you grate the courgette too small, it will become mushy.
  • Make sure to let your cake fully cool before icing, otherwise the icing will just melt.
Crushed pistachios on top of a frosted loaf cake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to peel the courgette?

No, there is no need to peel the courgette, and the peel adds a lovely colour.

Does this lime cake taste like courgette?

No, just like carrot cake doesn't taste of carrot, this cake doesn't taste of courgette. Courgette doesn't really have a flavour. The courgette just makes this lovely and moist and adds those flecks of green to the cake. In a weird way, it kind of tastes like a gin and tonic, but I think that's from the lime.

Why is my frosting runny?

This can depend on what cream cheese you have used (the cheaper ones aren't as thick) and how juicy your lime is. You can add extra icing sugar until it thickens up again. Try to mix your frosting slowly, to stop it going runny. You can put it in the fridge for an hour or so to firm it up.

Do I have to add the frosting?

No, you don't have to. However, it does add some extra sweetness. So, if you aren't adding frosting then I would recommend adding about 30g extra sugar to the cake batter. You could always just drizzle it with some icing, rather than going for full frosting.

Why is my courgette and lime cake soggy?

This can happen if you don't measure the ingredients correctly, especially the courgette.

Can I make this cake gluten free?

Yes, feel free to make this with your favourite brand of gluten free flour. Make sure there is no cross contamination too.

More Courgette Recipes

  • Easy Courgette Fritters on a wooden plate with a bowl of tzatziki.
    Easy Courgette Fritters
  • Courgette Risotto in a pink bowl with rosemary sprig on top.
    Courgette Risotto
  • Courgette and lemon pizza on a wooden surface surrounded by sliced courgette.
    Courgette and Lemon Pizza
  • Courgette mint and feta frittata in a pan on a burlap mat.
    Courgette, Mint and Feta Frittata

If you’ve tried this courgette cake recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

Recipe

Courgette and lime cake with a slice cut off.

Courgette and Lime Cake

By: Dannii Martin
This incredibly moist courgette and lime cake is fresh and zesty and a perfect summer cake. Topped with a lime cream cheese frosting and crunchy pistachios.
An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
Vegetarian
4.96 from 21 votes
Pin Print Save recipe Saved!
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: British
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 40 minutes mins
Cooling time: 30 minutes mins
Total: 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 264kcal
Allergens:
An illustration of a carton of milk.
Dairy
An illustration of a cracked egg.
Eggs
An illustration of two ears of wheat.
Gluten
An illustration of four different nuts.
Nuts

Ingredients

For the cake:

  • 100 g (0.4 cups) Soft brown sugar
  • 1 Egg
  • 100 ml (0.4 cups) Vegetable oil
  • 100 g (0.75 cups) Plain flour
  • 0.5 teaspoon Baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon Baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 1 Lime - zest only
  • 100 g (0.8 cups) Courgette (zucchini)

For the frosting:

  • 25 g Butter - softened
  • 100 g (0.5 cups) Cream cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 1 Lime - zest only
  • 0.5 Lime - juice only
  • 200 g (1.66 cups) Icing sugar
  • Pistachios - optional

Instructions

Cake

  • Preheat your oven to 190°C/170°C(fan)/375°F/Gas 5. Line a 1lb/400g loaf tin with baking paper.
  • In a large bowl, add 100 g Soft brown sugar, 100 ml Vegetable oil and 1 Egg. Beat together until smooth.
  • Add 100 g Plain flour, 0.5 teaspoon Baking powder and 0.5 teaspoon Baking soda. Gently fold in.
  • Add 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract, zest of 1 Lime and 100 g Courgette (zucchini). Gently fold in.
  • Pour the mixture into the lined loaf tin (a). Bake for 40 minutes, making sure a skewer comes out clean.
  • Once cooked, leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then on a wire rack for 20 minutes (b).

Frosting

  • In a mixing bowl add 25 g Butter and 100 g Cream cheese. Beat together until smooth (b).
  • Add 200 g Icing sugar and mix in.
  • Add 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract, juice of 0.5 Limeand zest of 1 Lime and mix in.
  • Once the cake has cooled, spread the frosting over the top. Top the frosting with crushed Pistachios and more lime zest (both optional).

Recipe Tips

  • This recipe calls for 100g of courgette. That is about the size of a small courgette or half a medium one. It's important to weigh the courgette, as adding too much can make the cake too soggy.
  • Smaller courgettes are sweeter than larger ones, so keep this in mind when choosing your courgette.
  • We don't recommend squeezing the liquid out of the courgette, because that is what makes this such a moist lime and courgette cake.
  • Make sure to us the biggest part of your grater. If you grate the courgette too small, it will become mushy.
  • Make sure to let your cake fully cool before icing, otherwise the icing will just melt.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 111mg | Potassium: 96mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 249IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.

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Comments

  1. Sarah says

    January 23, 2025 at 7:36 pm

    5 stars
    This loaf cake is absolutely delicious. It was the first time I have ever made or tasted a courgette cake and can honestly say it was moist and so tasty. I’ll definitely make it again. I did have an issue with the frosting. It was very runny and no matter what I did to it, it just wouldn’t thicken. Also made a huge amount. Next time I’ll halve the recipe or even quarter it.

    Reply
    • Dannii Martin says

      February 03, 2025 at 10:47 am

      I am glad you enjoyed it. The issue with the frosting could be because some limes are juicier than others and some cream cheese is runnier than others too.

      Reply
  2. Tracy says

    December 29, 2024 at 1:16 pm

    Lovely cake, I made some changes to cater for being gluten intolerant. 80g SR gluten free flour, 20g almond flour, I used 80ml oil based on someone's conmment about it being too oily, added 25g chopped pistachio nuts. Icing was amazing, I did use a full limes' juice for more flavour. Delicious!! Thank you

    Reply
    • Dannii Martin says

      January 07, 2025 at 4:34 pm

      Thanks for sharing that it worked as a gluten free option too.

      Reply
  3. Em says

    April 06, 2024 at 6:47 pm

    Guess who did as they were told and lined with baking POWDER . Not good. Should have looked at the pics, thought it was a bit weird to do .
    Also didn’t seem to be enough mixture? And was soggy and not too lime like. Might have been me

    Reply
    • Dannii Martin says

      April 09, 2024 at 9:41 pm

      I am so sorry - this was a type (I am dyslexic and sometimes I can't even spot my own mistakes). It shouldn't have been soggy though. The lime flavour will depend on the limes you use.

      Reply
  4. Angela says

    August 14, 2023 at 1:40 pm

    5 stars
    This cake was absolutely delicious - definitely not the last time I'll be making it!

    Reply
  5. Liza says

    May 05, 2023 at 1:56 pm

    5 stars
    This cake is so moist and delicious! Every summer my mom gives us many zucchini, and I'm so glad to have a wonderful new recipe in which to use them!

    Reply
  6. Mahy says

    May 05, 2023 at 10:04 am

    5 stars
    Oh wow, I have never tried this cake before. I love the ingredients, so it's definitely something I want to try now :-)

    Reply
  7. Amanda Wren-Grimwood says

    May 05, 2023 at 8:05 am

    5 stars
    Courgettes are so good in a cake but lime takes this to the next level. The topping is so pretty too.

    Reply
  8. Geoffrey at Spoonabilities says

    May 05, 2023 at 1:26 am

    5 stars
    I love carrot cake, and I love zucchini bread. I was so excited to find out what the heck a courgette was. Thank you for mentioning zucchini somewhere so I didn't go crazy. But now I need to try your recipe.

    Reply
  9. Sunrita Dutta says

    May 04, 2023 at 9:37 pm

    5 stars
    Who would have thought that you can make a dessert type dish with courgette. Moist and delicious, so glad I gave this a try.

    Reply
  10. Maggie says

    May 04, 2023 at 9:09 pm

    What a yummy looking cake! I could go for a slice with my coffee right now.

    Reply
  11. Kathleen says

    May 04, 2023 at 8:02 pm

    5 stars
    I'm loving the lime flavor in this super moist and delicious courgette cake.

    Reply
  12. Suja md says

    May 04, 2023 at 5:50 pm

    5 stars
    Truly amazing in taste and flavors in this recipe.

    Reply
  13. Beth says

    May 04, 2023 at 5:29 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so good! I love zucchini bread. I've made all kinds of varieties, but I've never tried it with lime before.

    Reply
  14. Kate says

    May 04, 2023 at 4:10 pm

    5 stars
    Courgette is so good in cake. I love it with lime.

    Reply
  15. Elizabeth DV says

    May 04, 2023 at 4:01 pm

    5 stars
    The lime adds such a fresh flavor to this cake. Perfect to bring to a ladies' brunch or shower!

    Reply
4.96 from 21 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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