Better Late Than Never

So in August, I listed a few things I had made and received a request for the following two recipes. Here they are. Finally.

Choco-Zucchini Cupcakes
2 cups shredded zucchini (about 8 oz.) - if using frozen: thaw and squeeze out all water first
3 eggs
2 scant cups sugar
3/4 cup cooking oil
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
3/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)
1 recipe peanut butter frosting (follows)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line 24 2 1/2 inch muffin cups with paper bake cups or lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In a large bowl, stir together zucchini, eggs, granulated sugar, oil, and vanilla. Add flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and if desired, chocolate chips; stir until combined. Spoon batter into prepared pans, filing cups about half full. Bake about 25 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near centers comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from cups. Cool completely on racks. Frost with peanut butter frosting.

Peanut Butter Frosting

In a medium mixing bowl, beat 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/3 cup softened butter, 1 Tbsp. milk, and 1/2 tsp. vanilla with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, beating until combined. If necessary, stir in 1 to 2 tsp. additional milk until frosting reaches desired consistency.

**Recipe from www.bhg.com

Tub Scrub
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup (approx.) castile liquid soap*
5 to 10 drops antibacterial essential oil, such as lavender, tea tree, or rosemary (optional)

Pour baking soda into a medium-size mixing bowl. Add soap a little at a time, stirring continuously. Stop adding after your mixture has begun to resemble frosting (Note: not to be confused with the frosting above!). Mix in drops of essential oil if using. Store in an airtight container for up to a year.

*I use peppermint castile soap and it smells fresh and clean!!

Use this soap in place of of the toxic cleaners lurking under the bathroom sink.

**From naturalhomemagazine.com