Chocolate Zucchini Bread

What's tastier than a chocolate cupcake? A chocolate zucchini bread muffin or loaf! It might actually be moister too!

I picked up a few zucchini's at a farmers market at my work, and knew exactly how I was going to put them to use. Park of me even wonders if it's really muffin-y or bread-y as it is super fluffy and moist and not dense or crumby in the least.

I've had this chocolate zucchini bread recipe on hand for several years now, and it's always been a hit.

 Chocolate Zucchini Bread

2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
3 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups unpeeled, grated zucchini (~3 medium size zucchini)


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease two 8x4" loaf pans.

In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder, walnuts (if you choose), and chocolate chips.

In a medium bowl, lightly whisk the eggs then whisk in the vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Stir in grated zucchini.

Add wet ingredients into dry ingredient and mix thoroughly.

Pour batter into loaf pans and bake  for approximately 50-55 minutes. Place a toothpick or tester into loaf, and if it comes out clean the bread is ready.

Tips and Tricks

I chose to make one loaf and 12 muffins and used almost all of the batter. I baked the muffins for approximately 20 minutes (they will take more time than a cupcake). I also considered making this in a bundt pan, but that would have take longer to bake than I wanted to wait (approximately 75 minutes aka 15 minutes too long).

Another good way to determine if a loaf, muffin, cake or cupcake is fully cooked is to gently press your fingertip on its top. If it feels firm and rises back up where you pressed down, it is done. If it does not rise back up, your fingertip essentially goes through it, and/or if feels mushy, it is not done. If you gently move the loaf pan and it jiggles, it is not done. 

For garnish, I used confectioners (powdered) sugar; however, be warned, that it does eventually disappear! 

There's only so much grilled and steamed zucchini one can consume in a season. If you are growing zucchini in your garden this summer, or picking some up at a local farmers market or grocery store, be sure to give this recipe a try!

Enjoy!

-Kristin

*note: source for recipe unknown