This moist chocolate zucchini bread is a yummy treat that combines rich chocolate flavor with sneaky veggies! It’s soft, chocolaty, and oh-so-good—perfect for breakfast or a snack!
Who knew zucchini could make bread even better? I always feel a little fancy when I bake this. It’s also great for sharing, but good luck keeping it around long enough! 😂
I love how easy this recipe is! Just mix, pour, and bake. It’s a fun way to sneak in some veggies, and I can’t help but grab an extra slice. It’s that delicious!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of your bread. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. I’ve tried both, and the results are great!
Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa gives the bread that deep chocolate flavor. If you want a less intense taste, consider using Dutch-processed cocoa for a milder sweetness.
Sugars: I love using a mix of granulated and brown sugars. Brown sugar keeps the bread moist and adds a slight caramel flavor. If you’re counting calories, you can reduce the sugar by about ¼ cup without sacrificing too much flavor.
Zucchini: Grating the zucchini adds moisture. Don’t worry about the green bits; they blend right in! If zucchini is out of season, shredded carrots can be a tasty substitute.
Chocolate Chips: Mini chips melt perfectly in the bread. If you don’t have chocolate chips, you could chop up a chocolate bar instead for a fun texture.
How Do You Get the Zucchini Right?
Getting the zucchini ready for this bread is a key step! You want to grate it finely and squeeze out some moisture, so it won’t make the bread soggy. Here’s how to do it:
- Grate the zucchini using a box grater or food processor.
- Place the grated zucchini in a clean dish towel or cheesecloth and twist it to remove excess moisture. Aim to get out a couple of tablespoons.
- This keeps the bread perfectly moist without being too wet. It’s all about finding that balance!
Remember, the zucchini adds nutrients and helps keep the bread tender, so don’t skip this step! Happy baking!
How to Make Moist Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Sugars:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
Wet Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil (or canola oil)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Mix-Ins:
- 1 ½ cups grated zucchini (about 1 medium zucchini, squeezed lightly to remove excess moisture)
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes for preparation and 50-60 minutes for baking, plus an extra 15 minutes to cool. In total, you’ll need about 1 hour and 30 minutes before you can enjoy your delicious bread!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Oven and Pan:
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Just give it a good stir to ensure everything is well blended and then set it aside.
3. Beat the Eggs and Sugars:
In a larger bowl, beat the two eggs along with granulated sugar and brown sugar until everything is combined and slightly fluffy. This step helps incorporate air, which gives the bread a nice texture.
4. Add the Wet Ingredients:
Pour in the vegetable oil and add the vanilla extract to the egg mixture. Mix it all together until it’s smooth and well combined.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:
Now, it’s time to mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stir gently until everything is just combined—don’t over mix; you want your bread to stay soft and tender!
6. Fold in the Zucchini and Mix-Ins:
Gently fold in the grated zucchini, and if you’re using, toss in those delicious mini chocolate chips and chopped nuts. This is where the magic really happens, making the bread rich and moist!
7. Pour and Smooth:
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top with a spatula. It’s looking great already!
8. Bake It Up:
Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. Keep an eye on it, and check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. It should come out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs.
9. Cool and Slice:
Once baked, let the bread cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. After that, carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This helps it set and makes for cleaner slices!
10. Enjoy!
Now comes the best part! Slice your deliciously moist chocolate zucchini bread and enjoy it as a tasty snack or dessert. If you have leftovers, wrap them in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. It tastes even better the next day!
FAQs for Moist Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Can I Use Whole Wheat Flour Instead of All-Purpose Flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour! Just keep in mind that it might result in a denser bread. You can use a mix of both for a lighter texture while still getting the benefits of whole grains.
How Do I Store Leftover Zucchini Bread?
Store your leftover zucchini bread wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to a week. You can also freeze it by slicing it and wrapping individual pieces in plastic, then placing them in a zip-top bag.
Can I Make This Recipe Vegan?
Absolutely! To make it vegan, replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water for each egg) and use unsweetened applesauce or a neutral oil instead of regular oil. Check that your sugar is vegan-friendly as well.
Can I Add Other Mix-Ins?
Definitely! Feel free to customize your bread with different mix-ins like dried fruit, coconut, or spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. Just be cautious not to add too many dry items, which could affect the texture. Enjoy experimenting!
