Zesty Zucchini Bread Recipe: A Homemade Garden Delight

Zucchini bread transforms ordinary garden bounty into an extraordinary culinary masterpiece that dances between healthy and decadent.

This summer squash sensation bursts with unexpected charm, blending nutrition and indulgence in every tender crumb.

Warm spices whisper through the moist layers, creating a symphony of flavors that elevate simple ingredients.

Bakers fall in love with how effortlessly these green vegetables melt into a sublime quick bread experience.

Each slice tells a story of garden freshness and kitchen creativity, beckoning you to savor its delightful complexity.

The aroma alone promises comfort and excitement, drawing friends and family closer to share this delectable treat.

Get ready to fall in love with a recipe that turns humble zucchini into pure magic!

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 8

Zucchini Bread Ingredient Checklist

• All-Purpose Flour: Choose unbleached flour for richer flavor and better texture.
• Baking Soda: Fresh and properly stored for maximum leavening power.
• Baking Powder: Check expiration date to ensure rising effectiveness.
• Salt: Fine sea salt provides balanced seasoning.
• Cinnamon Powder, Ground Cinnamon: Select freshly ground for intense aroma.
• Nutmeg: Whole nutmeg grated just before use offers superior taste.

• Vegetable Oil: Select neutral-flavored oil for consistent moisture.
• Sugar: Granulated white sugar ensures smooth blending.
• Eggs: Room temperature eggs mix more evenly.
• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla delivers deeper, richer flavor.

• Zucchini: Select firm, small to medium zucchini without soft spots.
• Apple: Choose crisp, sweet-tart varieties like Granny Smith.
• Coconut: Unsweetened shredded coconut provides natural texture.
• Pecans, Walnuts: Fresh, unbroken nuts with rich, buttery flavor.
• Cream Cheese: Full-fat, room temperature for smooth frosting.
• Butter: Unsalted butter allows better flavor control.
• Powdered Sugar: Sifted to prevent lumps in frosting.

Tools for Baking Zucchini Bread

• Oven: Standard home oven for baking bread.
• Loaf Pan (9x5x3 inch): Essential for shaping and baking bread.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and helps easy removal.
• Grater (Medium): Perfect for shredding zucchini and apple.
• Electric Mixer: Helps blend wet ingredients smoothly.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Needed for dry and wet ingredient mixing.
• Spatula (Offset or Regular): Great for smoothing batter and spreading frosting.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows bread to cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Toasting Pan: Used for lightly browning nuts.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Toothpick: Checks bread doneness by testing center.
• Whisk: Helpful for combining frosting ingredients.

How to Make Zucchini Bread Step by Step

• Warm Up the Kitchen

Set your oven to a cozy 350°F and nestle the rack right in the center. Grab a loaf pan and give it a quick butter massage or spray with nonstick magic. Line it with parchment paper for easy bread removal.

• Prep Your Ingredients

Toast those nutty friends until they smell amazing and look golden. Shred zucchini and apple like a culinary ninja, creating delicate ribbons that will melt into your bread. Gather your dry ingredients in a big mixing bowl, sprinkling in flour, baking soda, salt, and those warm spices that make your kitchen smell like heaven.

• Create the Bread Magic

Whip together oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until they dance into a smooth, glossy mixture. Gently fold in your veggie and fruit shreds, then sprinkle in dry ingredients. Don’t overmix – just blend until everything says hello. Toss in coconut and those toasted nuts for extra texture and crunch.

• Bake and Transform

Pour your beautiful batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with love. Slide into the oven and let it bake for about an hour. Your bread is done when a toothpick comes out clean – no sticky residue allowed!

• Cool and Dress Up

Let your bread rest on a wire rack, cooling down and getting its swagger. Once completely cool, drizzle with dreamy cream cheese frosting. Mix cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until it’s smooth as silk. Spread or drizzle over the top, slice, and enjoy your masterpiece.

Tips and Twists for Zucchini Bread Success

• Customize Nut Selection: Swap pecans or walnuts with almonds, macadamia nuts, or sunflower seeds for unique flavor profiles and added crunch.
• Boost Moisture Magic: Add extra grated zucchini or replace half with grated carrots to enhance moisture and nutritional value of the bread.
• Spice It Up: Experiment with additional warm spices like ground ginger, cardamom, or allspice to create deeper, more complex flavor dimensions.
• Make It Healthier: Replace some vegetable oil with unsweetened applesauce, use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose, or reduce sugar content for a more nutritious version.

Serving Ideas for Zucchini Bread

• Brunch Companion: Pair this zucchini bread with fresh coffee or orange juice for a delightful weekend morning treat.
• Dessert Transformation: Serve slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an indulgent after-dinner dessert.
• Gourmet Gift Idea: Wrap cooled loaf in parchment paper and tie with a ribbon for a homemade, heartwarming present that friends and family will adore.
• Nutritious Snack Option: Cut into thin slices and pack in lunchboxes or enjoy as an afternoon energy-boosting snack with a glass of milk.

Storing and Planning Ahead for Zucchini Bread

• Maximize Freshness: Store zucchini bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil at room temperature for 2-3 days to maintain its moist texture and delicious flavor.
• Refrigerate and Extend: Preserve bread's quality by storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, ensuring maximum moisture and taste preservation.
• Freeze for Later: Slice bread before freezing, wrap individual portions in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then place in freezer bags. Frozen zucchini bread stays delectable for 2-3 months.
• Smart Serving Tip: Thaw frozen bread at room temperature for 2-3 hours or overnight in the refrigerator, then enjoy at room temperature or gently warm for a freshly baked experience.

Moist Zucchini Bread Recipe

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4.9 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Homemade zucchini bread delivers moist, spiced goodness packed with garden-fresh ingredients. Sweet quick bread combines cinnamon, nutmeg, and shredded zucchini for a delightful treat you’ll savor slice by slice.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups (195 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar
• 1 cup (135 g) shredded raw zucchini (courgette)
• ½ cup (60 g) grated raw apple
• 2 large (100 g) eggs
• ½ cup (120 ml/g) flavorless oil
• ½ cup (50 g) pecans or walnuts
• ½ cup (25 g) dried shredded or flaked coconut
• ¼ cup (55 g) unsalted butter
• 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese
• ⅓ cup (40 g) confectioner sugar
• 1 tsp (4 g) pure vanilla extract
• ½ tsp (2 g) pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp (4 g) baking soda
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• ¼ tsp (1 g) baking powder
• ¼ tsp (1 g) salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position oven rack centrally and heat to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9x5x3 inch loaf pan with parchment paper and grease thoroughly.
2. Nut Preparation: Toast pecans or walnuts in a dry skillet until fragrant and golden, about 6-8 minutes. Cool and coarsely chop.
3. Moisture Management: Grate zucchini and apple, carefully removing excess liquid to prevent soggy bread.
4. Dry Ingredient Blend: Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl.
5. Wet Ingredient Integration: Using an electric mixer, combine vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth and homogeneous.
6. Batter Assembly: Fold zucchini and apple into wet mixture, then gradually incorporate dry ingredients until just combined. Gently mix in coconut and chopped nuts.
7. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the surface evenly. Bake for 60-65 minutes, testing doneness with a toothpick that comes out clean.
8. Cooling and Finishing: Let bread rest in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, gradually adding powdered sugar and vanilla. Once bread is completely cool, apply cream cheese frosting as desired.

Notes

• Moisture Management: Remove excess liquid from zucchini and apple by gently pressing with paper towels to prevent soggy bread texture.
• Nut Toasting Technique: Always toast nuts before adding to batter for enhanced flavor and crunchier texture; watch carefully to prevent burning.
• Mixing Method: Avoid overmixing batter after adding dry ingredients to maintain tender, light bread consistency – stir just until ingredients are combined.
• Cooling Crucial: Allow bread to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure clean, professional-looking finished product.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg