Zucchini Chocolate Cake with Orange Glaze

Prep : 20 minutes      Bake : 50 minutes     Makes  16 servings

This moist and mouthwatering cake has a rich chocolate flavor, a hint of orange and is chock-full of zucchini and nuts.

1/2                       cup butter, softened
1-1/2                    cups sugar
2                          eggs
1/4                       cup unsweetened applesauce
1                          teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2                    cups all-purpose flour
1/2                        cup baking cocoa
1-1/4                     teaspoons baking powder
1                           teaspoon salt
1                           teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2                        teaspoon baking soda
1/2                        cup fat-free milk
3                           cups shredded zucchini
1/2                        cup chopped walnuts
1                           tablespoon grated orange peel
GLAZE:
1-1/4                     cups confectioners' sugar
2                           tablespoons orange juice
1                           teaspoon vanilla extract

1.              Coat a 10-in. fluted tube pan with cooking spray and sprinkle with flour.
2 .             In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in applesauce and vanilla.
3.              Combine the flour, baking cocoa, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and soda; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Fold in the zucchini, walnuts and orange peel.
4.           Transfer to prepared pan. Bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
5.           Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
In a small bowl, combine glaze ingredients. Drizzle over cake.