Classic Zucchini Bread
This moist, warmly spiced zucchini bread is the perfect way to use up summer’s bounty. It’s tender, flavorful, and freezes beautifully for enjoying all year round.
Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 50-60 mins | Cool Time: 1 hour | Makes: 2 loaves or 1 large loaf
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
· 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
· 1 tsp baking soda
· ½ tsp baking powder
· 1 tsp salt
· 2 tsp ground cinnamon
· ½ tsp ground nutmeg (optional but recommended)
· ¼ tsp ground cloves (optional)
Wet Ingredients:
· 3 large eggs, room temperature
· 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
· 1 cup (220g packed) light brown sugar
· 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil, melted coconut oil, or light olive oil
· 2 tsp vanilla extract
Add-Ins:
· 2 cups grated zucchini (about 2 medium, unpeeled)
· 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
· 1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Zucchini & Pans
· Grate zucchini using the large holes of a box grater. Do not peel unless skin is tough.
· No need to drain or squeeze unless your zucchini is exceptionally watery. The moisture is key to the bread’s texture.
· Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
· Grease and flour two 8×4-inch loaf pans or one 9×5-inch pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients
· In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients
· In a large bowl, whisk eggs until foamy.
· Add both sugars and whisk vigorously until thick and pale yellow.
· Slowly whisk in oil and vanilla until fully incorporated.
- Combine
· Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two additions, stirring with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
· Fold in grated zucchini and any optional add-ins (nuts, chocolate chips) until evenly distributed.
- Bake
· Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
· Bake for 50-60 minutes for 8-inch pans, or 60-70 minutes for a 9-inch pan, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
· Tip: If tops brown too quickly, loosely tent with aluminum foil halfway through baking.
- Cool
· Let bread cool in pans on a wire rack for 20 minutes.
· Run a knife around edges, then turn out onto rack to cool completely before slicing (about 1 hour).
Success Tips
· Don’t Squeeze Zucchini: The natural moisture keeps the bread incredibly moist.
· Room Temperature Eggs: They incorporate better, creating a lighter texture.
· Avoid Overmixing: Mix until just combined to prevent a tough, dense loaf.
· Test for Doneness: The bread is done when it springs back when gently pressed in the center.
Storage & Freezing
· Room Temp: Store wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days.
· Refrigerator: Wrap well and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
· Freezing: Wrap cooled loaves tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Delicious Variations
· Lemon Zucchini Bread: Add zest of 1 lemon to wet ingredients and 1 tbsp lemon juice.
· Apple Spice: Replace 1 cup zucchini with grated apple and add ½ tsp allspice.
· Cranberry Orange: Add 1 cup dried cranberries and zest of 1 orange.
· Healthy Version: Substitute 1 cup whole wheat flour, reduce sugar to 1 ½ cups total, and use ½ cup oil + ½ cup applesauce.
· Muffins: Divide batter into lined muffin cups and bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes.
Enjoy this timeless treat warm with butter, cream cheese, or all by itself!