Zucchini Bread
Cuisine: American
Categories: Baking, Artisan Breads & Bread
Recipe Source: Simply Recipes
Zucchini Bread is a moist, flavorful loaf that cleverly incorporates fresh zucchini into a sweet, spiced batter. The zucchini adds natural moisture, resulting in a tender, soft texture, while the warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg enhance its comforting flavors. With a hint of vanilla and a touch of sweetness, this bread is the perfect balance of rich, hearty goodness and subtle, refreshing freshness from the zucchini. Whether enjoyed as a breakfast treat, snack, or dessert, Zucchini Bread is a delightful way to make the most of summer’s bounty and is sure to be loved by everyone.
Difficulty: MEDIUM
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Serving Size: 2 loaves
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons butter for greasing the pans
- 3 to 4 cups grated fresh zucchini
- 3 cups (390 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 1/3 cup (270 g) sugar
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (omit if using salted butter)
- 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (100 g) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 1 cup (120 g) dried cranberries or raisins (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat oven, prepare loaf pans, drain zucchini of excess moisture: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter two 5 by 9 inch loaf pans. Place the grated zucchini in a sieve or colander over a bowl to drain any excess moisture.
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, spices: In a large bowl, vigorously whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and ground nutmeg.
- Whisk together sugar, eggs, vanilla, salt, zucchini, butter: In another large bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt (omit salt if using salted butter). Stir in the drained grated zucchini and then the melted butter.
- Add dry ingredients to wet: Add the flour mixture, a third at a time, to the sugar egg zucchini mixture, stirring after each incorporation. Fold in the nuts and dried cranberries or raisins if using.
- Put batter into loaf pans and bake: Divide the batter equally between the loaf pans. Bake for 50 minutes at 350°F (175°C) or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Turn out onto wire racks to cool thoroughly.