Chocolate Zucchini Bread
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This rich chocolate zucchini bread makes the perfect afternoon snack whenever you’re in need of a chocolate fix.
This chocolate zucchini bread makes the perfect afternoon snack whenever you’re in need of a chocolate fix. It has a deep chocolate flavor from unsweetened cocoa powder and semi-sweet chocolate chips, yet it’s not so sweet that it tastes like dessert. Plus, it’s loaded with zucchini, so there’s some virtue in it.
What you’ll need to make Chocolate zucchini Bread
How to make Chocolate zucchini Bread
Begin by grating the zucchini. I use a food processor as it’s a bit quicker, but you can also do it by hand with a box grater.
Next, melt the butter in a large mixing bowl.
Add the brown sugar.
And stir until smooth.
Stir in the eggs and vanilla, then set aside. (Note: it’s important to stir the brown sugar into the melted butter before adding the eggs, as the hot butter alone could cook the eggs.)
Next, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.
Add it to the wet ingredients.
And stir to combine — it will be very thick.
Next, add the grated zucchini and chocolate chips.
Stir until well combined. It will still be very thick — that’s okay.
Transfer the mixture to a greased loaf pan, and spread the batter evenly with a spatula.
Bake for about an hour, then let the loaf cool in the pan for about ten minutes.
Turn the loaf out onto a rack to cool completely. It’s delicious right out of the oven but it’s best to wait at least an hour to slice it, otherwise it may crumble a little. Enjoy!
Note: My starting point for this recipe was this recipe from King Arthur Flour. I replaced the vegetable oil with butter, swapped out the honey for more brown sugar, and reduced the salt.
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Chocolate Zucchini Bread
This rich chocolate zucchini bread makes the perfect afternoon snack whenever you’re in need of a chocolate fix.
Ingredients
- 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
- ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1⅔ cups all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled off with a knife
- ⅓ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder (ok to substitute natural cocoa powder)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon espresso powder or instant coffee (optional)
- 2 cups shredded zucchini, gently packed (you'll need about 2 medium zucchini; do not wring out the liquid)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F degrees and grease an 8½ x 4½-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place the butter in a large microwave-safe mixing bowl and microwave for one minute, or until just melted. Stir in the brown sugar until completely smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla and stir until incorporated. (Be sure to add the eggs after the brown sugar is mixed in, as the hot butter alone could cook the eggs.)
- Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, baking soda and instant coffee (if using) in a medium bowl. Add to the butter mixture and stir until well combined. It will be very thick.
- Stir in the shredded zucchini and chocolate chips. (It will still be thick -- that's okay.)
- Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Bake for 60 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean (save for perhaps a smear from the melted chocolate chips). Let the loaf cool on a rack for about 10 minutes before turning out onto a rack to cool completely.
- Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The bread can be frozen for up to 3 months. After it is completely cooled, wrap it securely in aluminum foil, freezer wrap or place in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (16 1/2-inch slices servings)
- Serving size: 1 slice
- Calories: 231
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Sugar: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 184mg
- Cholesterol: 41mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Delicious! Especially soon after coming out of the oven. Must smear on a bit of melty butter so that it’s bread, not cake…
Hi Jenn!
I literally just picked some fresh zucchini from the garden…now I have a recipe to use them! Silly question. Do I leave the skin on the zucchini when I grate it?
Thanks,
Vinny
Yep no need to peel 🙂
Thanks Jenn. I figured as much. Made 2 loaves on Saturday. My family now has a new favorite! This bread/dessert turned out amazingly yummy. Thanks again for the great recipes. Vinny
Absolutely delicious!
My only addition to these directions is to allow 25 minutes to half an hour to cool before turning out onto the rack if you’re using a glass loaf pan.
I did a double recipe, and my first only came 3/4 out at the 10 minute mark.
Enjoyed this recipe. Easy to make and a great way to enjoy the zucchini a friend gave me from his garden.
THANK YOU, JENN! I made two loaves yesterday for my husband. One is gone! He loves this bread! (I do, also).
Truly delicious! Super moist and amazing flavour.
Can I substitute the butter with canola oil?
Sure, that should work. Hope you enjoy!
I rarely leave reviews, but I just wanted to thank you for sharing this amazing recipe! I made it exactly as instructed with no alterations/substitutions. The entire family went crazy for this rich, dense, yummy zucchini bread. I have been instructed to stop using my old recipe and have this be the new go-to. We will enjoy your wonderful recipe for years to come. Thanks again!
This was probably the best loaf ever, moist and very chocolatey.
I will use this recipe for muffins also.
Hi, Jenn. I would like to shred fresh zucchini and freeze it for use later in bread. Do you have any suggestions on whether I should drain water from the shredded zucchini before it’s frozen or after it’s been frozen and thawed? Your zucchini bread recipes look heavenly and I’m excited about making one of them tomorrow! Thank you!!
Hi Connie, I wouldn’t wring out the zucchini at all (you’ll see a note next to the zucchini ingredient indicating that) as it adds moisture to the bread. Hope you enjoy!
I made this bread and per the instructions, did not drain zucchini. That was a mistake. Maybe my squash was extra juicy or something but my results were more like pudding. Taste was good but a goopy mess.
Try shredding the zucchini and letting it sit while preparing the other ingredients.