Zucchini Cupcakes with Lemon-Dill Frosting

The Contents of This Cupcake Will Alarm, Surprise & Delight You

Makes 12 cupcakes

Cupcakes

• 3/4cup plus 2 tablespoons (175 grams) sugar
• 2large eggs
• 1/4teaspoon salt
• 1medium-large lemon
• 3/4cup plus 2 tablespoons (132 grams) white rice flour
• 1/3cup plus 1 tablespoon (40 grams) oat flour
• 1/2teaspoon baking soda
• 1teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2ground cinnamon
• Rounded 1/4teaspoons lightly packed, freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 1/2cups (170 grams) lightly packed, coarsely grated zucchini (I use large holes on my box grater)
• 3tablespoons (9 grams) finely chopped fresh dill leaves including only the thinnest tender bits of stem
• 1/4cup plus 2 tablespoons (80 grams) extra-virgin olive oil

Frosting

• 1/2cup (15 grams) lightly packed fresh dill leaves with very thinnest tender bits of stem
• 4cups (225 grams) powdered sugar
• 1stick (113 grams/4 ounces) unsalted butter, slightly softened
• 1medium-large lemon
• 1tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (see note)
• Equipment:
• Cupcake pan with 12 cavities
• Stand mixer with paddle attachment

1. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Line the pan with paper liners.
2. To make the cupcakes, grate the zest of the lemon in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a mixing bowl if using a handheld mixer). Add the sugar, eggs, and salt. Beat at medium-high speed until the mixture is thickened and lighter in color, about 2 minutes. Or beat with a handheld mixer on medium-high speed for 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Add the rice and oat flours, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, zucchini, and dill and beat on low speed just until blended. Beat in the olive oil. Divide the batter evenly among the cups.
4. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of cupcakes comes out clean and dry, 18 to 20 minutes. Set pan on a rack to cool for a few minutes before tipping cakes out onto the rack to cool completely before icing or storing.
5. To make the frosting, put the dill into the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add 5 or 6 tablespoons of the powdered sugar and process until the dill is pureed, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary, and adding a little more sugar as necessary until the mixture is a thick syrupy puree. Grate the zest of the lemon directly into the processor bowl and add the remaining sugar and the butter in chunks. Process until smooth and spreadable. Process until completely smooth and spreadable, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the olive oil and pulse to blend.
6. Note: I always try to sneak in a little more extra-virgin olive oil—it adds a lovely dimension and complexity to the frosting that ties into the cupcakes—but at some point, too much oil will curdle the frosting. If that happens to you, smooth out the frosting by pulsing in a bit more powdered sugar.
7. https://food52.com/recipes/60930-zucchini-cupcakes-with-lemon-dill-frosting