Giant zucchini cookie cake [flour free]

Last year I published a post featuring a giant cookie cake recipe which I made for my husband’s birthday. It is lovely but only a special treat for us – it contains three different types of sugar (gosh!) and so it’s not particularly healthy for you, if eaten regularly. But the idea of a giant cookie cake has stuck in the back of my mind and I’ve been coming back to it – so much so that when I was wondering what to do with all that zucchini we’re still growing, it was suddenly clear: a giant zucchini cookie cake! I don’t have to tell you that the whole family was 100% behind this idea.
Giant cookie cake – always a good idea, right?
Of course. And this one is much healthier than the previous version. It still contains chocolate chips but you can substitute sugar free chips (or omit them completely) if you want to make this cake completely refined sugar free. But, even if you leave the chocolate chips in, the cookie cake is very low in refined sugar.
In addition, this cookie cake contains wholesome ingredients, such as rolled oats, linseed meal and almond meal, as well as nuts, coconut and raisins which give it a beautiful texture. I also included a whole cup of zucchini which also adds beautifully to the nutritional content and texture of this cookie cake but does not interfere with the taste.
You may think that the list of ingredients looks a bit long but I like to think of it as layering of flavours and textures. This is what I look for in a good cookie – well that, and some delicious chunks of chocolate. Just imagine, biting into this cookie cake and getting a taste of nuts, chocolate, coconut, oats, raisins and spices, all in one go. Mmmm, mouthwatering, right?
I think I should mention that while this cookie cake is every bit as delicious as it looks, its texture is more like a cake than a cookie. By that I mean it’s crumblier and softer than a cookie but I hope that you will enjoy it all the same.

No flour needed for this cookie cake
Isn’t this great news? At a time like this when most of us struggle to find flour in the shops, you can still make and enjoy this cookie cake. Instead of flour, I use rolled oats, linseed meal (or LSA mix) and almond meal – all of which still seem to be available.
Even better, the remainder of the ingredients for this cake are fridge or pantry staples like nuts, spices, shredded coconut, eggs, mild-flavoured oil (like sunflower, macadamia or MCT oil), milk, maple syrup, vanilla paste and baking powder. The only exception is zucchini, which you may or may not have but, if you don’t, it should be easily replaced by carrot or apple (though I haven’t tested this), or a mixture of zucchini and carrot/apple if you don’t have enough zucchini.

Giant zucchini cookie cake [flour free]
Ingredients
Dry ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup LSA mix, or linseed meal
- 3/4 cup almond meal
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp speculaas spices or cinnamon
- pinch of salt flakes
- 1 cup mixed nuts, chopped into pieces (I use macadamias and pecans)
- 1/4 cup sultanas
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
Wet ingredients
- 1/3 cup macadamia oil (or you can substitute sunflower oil or MCT oil, or another mild-tasting oil)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 2 eggs, lightly whisked
- 1 tsp vanilla paste or extract
- 1/4 cup milk (regular or plant-based)
- 1 cup shredded zucchini (I use larger zucchini which I peel and de-seed, and then blitz the flesh in a food processor – if you do the same, there's no need to squeeze the water out; otherwise, if you're using smaller zucchini and you are not de-seeding, you may want to squeeze some of the liquid out so the batter is not too wet.)
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to 180C. Grease and line a 28 cm round baking tin with baking paper. Or, if you're using a fluted tin like me, grease and flour it so that you can get the cake out easily at the end. (See "Recipe notes" below if you wish to make individual cookies or bake as a slice.)
- Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Whisk all the wet ingredients (apart from zucchini) together in a glass measuring cup or a small bowl.
- Pour the wet ingredients mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Mix in the shredded zucchini (see the ingredient list above for tips on whether you should be squeezing the liquid out of the zucchini) until well combined.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking tin and smooth it down in an even layer.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Take out of the oven and let it cool down fully before taking the cookie cake out of the tin.
Notes
- I have also made this recipe as a cookie slice and individual cookies. You could try this for a change or if you don’t have a large baking tin for the giant cookie cake. You may just need to adjust the baking time accordingly. For individual cookies, I would suggest shortening the baking time to about 15-18 minutes (but check on your cookies to make sure they don’t burn).
- I made my cookie slice in a small (10in by 15in, or 23cm by 30cm) slice pan (I have this one from Ikea which unfortunately doesn’t seem to be on their website anymore) which did not require any adjustment to baking time – it was perfect baked for 30 minutes at 180C. If you are baking your cookie slice in a smaller baking tin, say a square brownie pan, you may require a little more baking time, say 35-40 minutes (but again, check on your slice towards the end of the baking time, to make sure it’s firm in the middle but the edges are not burning).

Recipe notes
I have also made this recipe as a cookie slice and individual cookies. You could try this for a change or if you don’t have a large baking tin for the giant cookie cake. You may just need to adjust the baking time accordingly. For individual cookies, I would suggest shortening the baking time to about 15-18 minutes (but check on your cookies to make sure they don’t burn).
I made my cookie slice in a small (10in by 15in, or 23cm by 30cm) slice pan (I have this one from Ikea which unfortunately doesn’t seem to be on their website anymore) which did not require any adjustment to baking time – it was perfect baked for 30 minutes at 180C. If you are baking your cookie slice in a smaller baking tin, say a square brownie pan, you may require a little more baking time, say 35-40 minutes (but again, check on your slice towards the end of the baking time, to make sure it’s firm in the middle but the edges are not burning).

72 Comments
Sophie Harriet
This sounds and looks amazing! My mum used to make a chocolate and zucchini cake, it’s amazing how well zucchini actually goes in a cake, and makes it healthier too!
Katerina
I think so too – it sounds counterintuitive but it definitely works!
Mercy
That looks so good! I can’t believe you can make zucchini into something yummy.
http://www.busyandfab.com
Katerina
Thank you – zucchini is really quite delicious in baked goods!
FancyPlantsFoodie
Great cookie cake Katerina, what a treat! I love that it doesn’t contain flour, I can’t find any at the mo!
Katerina
Neither can I, Krissie! Thank you, glad you like it!
Laura
I love a cookie or a cake that includes veggies! And it looks and sounds so scrumptious! I have a veg drawer full of zucchini begging to be used. Hmmm. This looks so promising! Thanks, Katerina!
Katerina
Perfect timing, Laura! Thanks very much!
Shannon
WOW!!! Now this is one absolutely gorgeous giant cookie! Your picture immediately drew me in Katerina, it’s lovely. And i love that this giant cookie has so many of my favorite ingredients–shredded coconut, almond flour, chocolate chips, speculoos spice…YUM! What a great way to make a healthy and tasty treat with ingredients we still have access to at this cray time. Can’t wait to try this!
Katerina
Thanks so much, Shannon! It’s become a bit of a favourite around here! ♥️
Jill
What a great way to sneak in some veggies! This sounds amazing!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Katerina
Thanks Jill!
Ashley
My mouth is watering- this is such a good idea to sneak some veggies in, too. 🙂
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Katerina
Exactly my thinking! Thanks Ashley!
stylefrontier
wow this giant cookie looks so interesting! and the fact it dines’t use flour is even more mind-blowing.
thank you for sharing
xoxo
style frontier
Katerina
Thanks very much, much appreciated!
Julia Rees
That cookie-cake looks so delicious ! I have never used courgette for baking but I will give this recipe a try (with the chocolate chips).
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
Katerina
Of course, it’s so good to include the chocolate chips! Thanks Julia!
Never Ending Journeys
This cookie looks so good! I love how it uses zucchini, too – that’s a great addition!
Katerina
Thanks so much, we’ve loved baking with zucchini this summer!
Neil
A great recipe baking with Courgettes, Katerina ( Zucchini) as we call them here on the other side. Such an underated vegetable for baking with. I’ve made several recipes baking with Courgettes and they’ve all turned out pretty tasty. Can’t wait to give this one a go when our crop of Courgettres are ready!
Katerina
Thanks Neil! We’ve loved our zucchini season this year!
Mai
Wow, this looks amazing! I love zucchini but I had never thought of baking with it.
Katerina
Thanks Mai! Zucchini is wonderful is cakes and slices!
Tiziana
Oh that looks so delicious, loving your recipes lately a lot!!
Katerina
Thanks much much, Tiziana, appreciated!
Makeup Muddle
Wow this sounds like such a unique flavour for a cake! I love a good cookie cake xo
Makeup Muddle
Katerina
Cookie cakes are pretty fun, aren’t they? Thanks Gemma!
Sam | Violet Hollow
Ooh I love the look of this, I have never tired baking with Courgette (Zucchini) in this way! So handy that it doesn’t need flour either as flour is so hard to find at the moment xx
Violethollow.com
Katerina
Thanks so much, Sam! Baking with zucchini is wonderful – it makes everything fluffy!
Antonella
DEVO PROVARLOOO!
Grazie io amo le zucchine
Katerina
Thanks Antonella!
sonia // daring coco
This sounds and looks delicious! When I saw the title I thought this was going to be more on the savoury side. I don’t think I’ve ever seen zucchini used this way but it sounds so good. Definitely want to give this a try
Sxx
daringcoco.com
Katerina
Thanks so much, Sonia, I love baking with zucchini!
Hanna
This looks and sounds like a great and healthy idea for desert! I honestly never saw Zucchini being used for a cookie, but you have definitely shown a fun and yummy way to present this humble ingredient. I shall definitely try this one of these days!
Cheers,
Hanna
Katerina
Thanks very much, Hanna! We really enjoyed this one!
Leanne
Cookie cake sounds like a great idea! Love that it’s a little healthier and baking with zucchini is always high on my list, especially when the local season starts!
Katerina
Thanks Leanne! Same here – we love our zucchini!
Linger
Oh my goodness! Katerina, this is so pretty and sounds amazing. A zucchini cookie cake – such a marvelous idea. Always love reading your posts. Thanks so much for sharing.
Katerina
Thank you so much, lovely, your kind comment is much appreciated! Hope you’re well.
Abdel
Looks so Yummy! Thanks for sharing
Katerina
Thank you so much!
Shelley
This looks so delicious, thanks for sharing!
Shelley x
http://www.onlyshelley.com
Katerina
Thank you Shelley!
Amy Aed
This cake sounds absolutely delicious! I’m just about to leave the house to buy some ingredients, so will keep my eye out for zucchinij!
How is the quarantine treating you? I hope you are well!
Katerina
Oh yay! We’re all well, thank you Amy, and hope you are too!
Nancy
The giant zucchini cookie cake looks awesome! Love that this is healthy is still considered a treat at the same time. You can’t go wrong if there’s some healthy portion to it hehe. Oooh I love that the ingredients are fairly straight forward. Big plus that you don’t need to use flour! That is the biggest killer. I need to try it out one of these days. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
Katerina
Nothing like making some healthy treats, I totally agree! Thanks so much, Nancy!
Laura Bambrick
This look superb! I love how versatile zucchini is! It’s so tasty in baked dishes!
Katerina
So good, isn’t it? Thanks so much Laura!
jodie filogomo
Of course this is a good idea….it’s not only a nice sweet, but basically healthy!!
OXOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Katerina
Haha.. basically! Thanks Jodie! 💗
Mihaela
This recipe looks amazing! Pinned and added to my baking list! Have a great week!
Katerina
Woohoo, Mihaela, thanks so much! Hope you love it!
Lovely
Cookie cake looks amazing, I would have never have thought of making a zucchini cookie cake! Might have to give it a try!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Katerina
Thanks Lovely!
Rach
Wow no flour?! I’m impressed! Flour is so rare to get these days!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Katerina
Right!? It’s ridiculous!
David @ Spiced
I’m not sure what caught my attention here the most – the giant cake or the fact that you made this without any flour. Impressive! Given the whole self-quarantining thing right now, the thought of a giant cake sounds pretty darned awesome. We’re heading into growing season here in the States, and we plan on planting zucchini in the garden this year. This zucchini cookie cake is going to have to make an appearance once we get overrun by zucchini – and that seems to happen every year no matter how hard we try! Love the recipe, my friend!
Katerina
Thanks so much, David! The lack of flour in the shops has been a real struggle, so we all need to improvise a bit! We have loved our zucchini season (which seems to have lasted about 4 months!) and I hope you enjoy yours – growing your own is really the best!
Alex
I love the sound of this – I mean, a cookie cake – delicious! And I really do appreciate zucchini in baking. Saving to try soon!
Katerina
I know what you mean – baking with zucchini is so lovely! Thanks so much, Alex!
Georgia Owen
I think for me, the idea of a giant cookie cake has for sure now moved to the forefront of mind – this looks incredible! Very excited to try <3
//teandtwosugars.blogspot.com xx
Katerina
Thanks very much, Georgia!
marcie
This is a brilliant use for zucchini, and I love that it’s flourless! I’ll take a cookie cake over a regular any day too. 🙂
Katerina
Cookies cakes are a great idea, aren’t they? Thanks so much, Marcie!
Naya
I adore zucchini, but I have never ever tried an actual zucchini cookie cake! Let alone any dessert with it. This is such a lovely recipe, I would love to try it xx
Naya
http://www.nayatilly.com
Katerina
I hope you do, Naya, zucchini in cakes is really wonderful. Thanks very much!
BarbaraFrenchVegan
Wow, cookie and zucchini, never tough i would see that kind of title for a recipe but it’s sounds incredible and healthy at the same time. Even if it’s cookie and cake ! Looks really yummy and I love the idea of vegetable into pastry and cake desserts :).
Katerina
Thanks so much, Barbara!
Kathrine Eldridge
This looks so delicious! Can’t believe it doesn’t have flour. I might have to make this for my hubby who loves zucchini.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Katerina
Thanks so much, Kathrine!