Double Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes

I've been wanting to make these Double Chocolate Zucchini cupcakes for a very long time now but have been hesitant since there is goat cheese in the frosting and I've never used goat cheese for anything. These cupcakes are filled with chocolate ganache and topped with a creamy goat cheese and cream cheese frosting. The frosting taste just like a cream cheese frosting you put on banana or pumpkin bars but with a little added tangy from the goat cheese that makes them even more delicious!

Double Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp baking powder
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, room temp
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs, room temp
1/4 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup whole milk, room temp
1 cup shredded zucchini
3/5 oz semi-sweet chocolate bar, chopped in chunks

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake trays with 18 cupcake liners. Mix together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt with a wire whisk. Set aside. Cream butter with a mixer in a large bowl. Add sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla one at a time, mixing well with each addition.

Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk in two additions. Stir in the zucchini and chocolate chunks until combined.

Fill cupcake tins 2/3 full and place in oven immediately. Bake for 15-18 minutes.

Chocolate Ganache
2 oz semi-sweet chocolate bar, chopped in chunks
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup confectioners sugar

Place chocolate and whipping cream in the microwave. Heat in 30 seconds intervals, stirring in between until melted. Blend thoroughly. Add sugar and stir until thoroughly combined. Pour ganache into a small plastic bottle. Insert opening of squeeze bottle halfway into cupcake center and squeeze ganache until you see it start to surface.

Creamy Goat Cheese Frosting
5 oz goat cheese, room temp
3 oz cream cheese, room temp
3 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

Sift sugar and set aside. Beat goat cheese, cream cheese and vanilla in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Gradually add the sugar, mixing and scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl in between additions. Spread frosting on top of cupcakes.