Indulgent chocolate cakes can at times disappoint with dry sponges and light colour, yet nailing the right quantities and baking time is key to making the perfect sweet treat. At times, though, it's those additional secret ingredients that elevate a basic recipe to new heights.

A kitchen expert and blogger has shared a spectacular recipe that might just dethrone your beloved banana bread for its sumptuous texture, while also outshining overly sweet chocolate cakes in depth of flavour. This delicious loaf is crammed with "a generous amount of bittersweet dark chocolate chunks in the batter," but it's the blend with one unexpected veg that results in "hearty texture" and "moistness".

When telling her culinary secret to Food52, down-to-earth Aussie baker Thalia Oh said the humble courgette was her favourite addition in her recipe.

As the grated courgette melds into the bake, it releases its natural moisture, rewarding you with a moist sponge.

Yet this cake isn't just famed for its soft texture; indeed, Thalio reveals she tosses in walnuts for a satisfying crunch, which she says helps to give it "a delicious buttery taste and toasty aromatic flavour."

Whip up this luscious bake in just 60 minutes, and enjoy straight from the oven or savour its flavours even days afterwards.