Making delicious chocolate zucchini bread is a great way to use up fresh zucchini.
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This post is all about how to make the best chocolate zucchini bread recipe.
When your garden is overflowing with zucchini and you’ve already made all the zucchini salads, sautés, and stir fries you can think of, it’s time to turn to something a little sweeter. That is when it’s time to make the perfect chocolate zucchini bread.
This easy chocolate zucchini bread recipe isn’t just another way to use up those garden fresh zucchinis—it’s a total game changer when it comes to finding ways to mash up fresh vegetables with sweet desserts.
Imagine a bread loaf that’s rich, chocolatey, and so moist that it practically melts in your mouth, all while sneaking in a bit of veggie goodness. If that sounds good, then you should try homemade chocolate zucchini bread.
So whether you’re a seasoned baker or just looking for a delicious way to make the most of your summer harvest (or farmer’s market finds), this post will walk you through the steps to create the best chocolate zucchini bread you’ve ever tasted.
Once you try it, you’ll be looking forward to zucchini season every year. By the end, you’ll have a go to recipe that’s as easy to make as it is to eat, and one that’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen all summer long.
In This Post:
- What is Chocolate Zucchini Bread?
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Chocolate Zucchini Bread Ingredients List
- How to Make Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- The Best Chocolate Zucchini Bread Tips
- Can You Freeze Chocolate Zucchini Bread?
- What to Serve with Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- Recipe: Chocolate Zucchini Bread
What is Chocolate Zucchini Bread?
Chocolate zucchini bread is a delicious, moist quick bread that blends the rich flavor of chocolate with the fresh and delicious taste of zucchini. It’s one of the best ways to use up zucchini from the farmer’s market or garden.
Making an easy chocolate zucchini bread recipe an amazing way to use up leftover zucchini because the vegetable adds incredible moisture and tenderness to the bread without overwhelming it’s chocolatey goodness.
Plus, it’s a sneaky way to add some extra veggies into a sweet treat, making it a go to recipe whenever you have an abundance of zucchini from my garden and want to eat more vegetables.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This chocolate zucchini bread recipe combines the best of two worlds: it’s a deliciously indulgent treat that’s also a clever way to use up zucchini from the garden.
The rich, chocolatey flavor of the bread is pure comfort food, making it perfect for a cozy breakfast, a decadent snack, or even a dessert. Thanks to the addition of grated zucchini, the zucchini quick bread recipe bakes up incredibly moist and tender. It makes the chocolate bread loaf irresistible!
Like many quick bread recipes, this easy chocolate zucchini recipe is incredibly versatile and forgiving. It’s a great option for anyone who loves baking but might not have a ton of time or experience.
With straightforward steps and easy to find ingredients, chocolate zucchini bread is an approachable baking recipe for all skill levels. Plus, the use of zucchini makes it feel a little bit healthier—sneaking in some veggies without sacrificing flavor.
Overall, this chocolate zucchini bread is a win win: it’s a delightful treat that makes good use of garden produce, it satisfies a chocolate craving, and it’s sure to impress anyone who takes a bite. Consider making chocolate zucchini bread whenever you need one of the best potluck recipes for dessert this summer or fall.
Chocolate Zucchini Bread Ingredients
Here are the ingredients that are needed to make chocolate zucchini bread. Each one plays an important role in creating that perfect balance of flavor and texture that chocolate zucchini bread is famous for.
These ingredients come together to make a chocolate zucchini bread that’s moist, rich, and full of flavor. Making old fashioned chocolate zucchini bread is a great way to use up zucchini while satisfying your chocolate cravings!
- Zucchini (1 ½ cups grated). Zucchini is the secret ingredient for making a delicious chocolate zucchini bread recipe. The zucchini adds moisture to the bread, making it incredibly soft and tender. Plus, it’s a great way to use up the abundance of zucchini from the farmer’s market or garden.
- All Purpose Flour (1 ½ cups). All purpose flour forms base of chocolate zucchini bread. Flour provides structure and absorbs the flavor of all the other great ingredients, like cocoa powder, zucchini, and ground cinnamon. Flour forms the foundation that holds all the other ingredients together, giving the bread its form and texture.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (½ cup). This is what makes the bread taste rich and chocolatey. Cocoa powder gives the bread that deep, dark chocolate flavor that pairs so well with the zucchini.
- Baking Soda (1 tsp) and Baking Powder (½ tsp). These leavening agents help the bread rise, making it light and fluffy. The combination of both baking soda and baking powder ensures that the chocolate zucchini bread has the perfect lift. Make sure to use fresh leavening agents when making bread or other delicious baked goods.
- Salt (½ tsp). Adding a little salt enhances the flavors of the zucchini bread, balancing the sweetness and bringing out the rich chocolate taste.
- Ground Cinnamon (1 tsp, optional). A bit of ground cinnamon adds a warm, spicy note to the chocolate zucchini bread. It’s subtle but adds a lovely depth to the flavor profile.
- Unsalted Butter, Melted (½ cup). Butter adds richness and flavor to chocolate zucchini bread and other baked goods. Melting the butter helps it to blend smoothly with the other ingredients, ensuring the bread is moist throughout. You can substitute butter with vegetable oil for an even moister texture.
- Granulated Sugar (½ cup) and Brown Sugar (½ cup). The combination of these granulated sugar and brown sugar sweetens the bread and adds a bit of complexity to the taste. The granulated sugar provides sweetness, while the brown sugar adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor.
- Eggs (2 large). Eggs bind everything together and help to give the zucchini bread structure. They also help in creating a more tender crumb for the bread.
- Vanilla Extract (2 tsp). Vanilla adds a subtle sweetness and enhances all the other flavors, making chocolate zucchini bread taste even more delicious.
- Plain Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream (½ cup). Use plain Greek yogurt or sour cream to help keep the bread moist as it bakes. The acidity from the yogurt or sour cream also helps to activate the baking soda, adding to the bread’s rise and soft texture.
- Chocolate Chips (1 cup, plus extra for topping). Chocolate chips are the best part of making chocolate zucchini bread. They melt into little pockets of gooey chocolate throughout the zucchini bread. You can also sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top of the bread for good measure.
- Pecans or Walnuts, Optional (½ cup). Chopped pecans or chopped walnuts add delicious crunch to quick bread recipes.
How to Make Chocolate Zucchini Bread
If you grow a garden, have a CSA subscription box, or love to browse the aisles at the farmer’s market, then you may find yourself with more zucchini than I know what to do with. That’s where this chocolate zucchini bread comes in—it’s the perfect way to use up that garden bounty in a richly delicious and satisfying way.
First, grate a medium zucchini, which should yield about 1 ½ cups of freshly grated zucchini. Lightly squeeze the grated zucchini with a paper towel to remove some of the excess moisture.
Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×5 inch loaf pan by greasing the inside of the pan or lining it with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients for making the zucchini bread, including: 1 ½ cups of flour, ½ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, ½ teaspoon each of baking powder and salt. You can also add ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon for extra flavor.
In another mixing bowl, blend the wet ingredients together—starting with ½ cup of melted butter, ½ cup each of granulated and brown sugar, and then adding two eggs, one at a time. Stir after each addition.
Then add couple of teaspoons of vanilla extract and fold in ½ cup of Greek yogurt or sour cream give the zucchini bread a rich, moist texture.
After that, gradually combine the wet and dry ingredients, being careful not to overmix the batter. Add the dry ingredients mixture to the wet ingredients mixture, stirring after each addition.
Once that’s done, fold in the grated zucchini, 1 cup of chocolate chips, and chopped pecans or walnuts (optional) until the ingredients are well blended.
Pour the batter into the loaf pan, and for a little extra indulgence, sprinkle a few more chocolate chips on top. Bake the bread for about 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the chocolate zucchini bread comes out clean.
Once it’s done, remove the chocolate zucchini bread from the oven. Place the pan on a wire rack, and the bread cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before removing it from the pan and placing it a wire rack to cool completely.
The resulting chocolate zucchini bread is a wonderfully moist and chocolatey bread that’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, or just a snack. And it’s a great way to use up leftover zucchini.
The Best Chocolate Zucchini Bread Tips
Here are some tips to make sure your chocolate zucchini bread turns out perfectly moist and delicious every time. By following these tips, you should end up with a chocolate zucchini bread that’s irresistibly moist, rich, and packed with flavor—perfect for enjoying with a cup of coffee or sharing with friends and family.
- Don’t overmix the batter. This is key to getting a tender, soft bread. Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, stir just until everything is incorporated. Overmixing the batter can lead to a dense, tough bread, which we definitely want to avoid.
- Remove excess moisture. Zucchini is packed with water, which is great for keeping the bread moist. But, too much moisture can make the bread soggy. After grating the zucchini, lightly squeeze it with a paper towel to remove some of the excess moisture. This helps to maintain a perfect texture for the bread.
- Add Greek yogurt or sour cream. Adding Greek yogurt or sour cream to the zucchini bread batter not only adds moisture but also gives the bread a subtle tang that enhances the chocolate flavor. It’s one of the secrets to getting that super moist texture.
- Add extra chocolate chips. For a little extra indulgence, sprinkle some chocolate chips on top of the zucchini bread before baking. This not only makes the bread look more tempting but also adds an extra layer of melty chocolate goodness.
- Check the bread for doneness. Ovens can vary, so it’s important to start checking your bread for doneness around the 50 minute mark. Use a toothpick or a cake tester inserted into the center of the bread—if it comes out with just a few moist crumbs, it’s done. If there’s wet batter on the toothpick, then bake the bread for it a few more minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool the bread completely. It can be tempting to dive in while the chocolate zucchini bread is warm, but letting it cool completely allows the flavors to meld and the texture of the bread to set. Plus, it’s easier to slice without it crumbling apart.
Can You Freeze Chocolate Zucchini Bread?
When it comes to storing chocolate zucchini bread, you’ll want to keep the bread as fresh and moist as possible. Once the zucchini bread has completely cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. This helps to seal in the moisture and keep the bread soft.
If you plan on eating the chocolate zucchini bread within a few days, you can leave it on the counter at room temperature. It usually stays fresh for about 2 to 3 days this way.
If you want to keep the bread for longer, then store it in the fridge. Place the plastic wrapped bread in a food storage bag or food storage container. When it’s well wrapped, the zucchini bread can last for up to 3 to 4 days when refrigerated.
When you’re ready to eat the chocolate zucchini bread, bring the bread to room temperature or give it a quick warm up in the microwave before eating, as the fridge can make the bread a little firmer.
For longer storage, chocolate zucchini bread can be frozen. First, slice the bread into individual servings. Then wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap and place them all in a freezer safe bag. This way, you can grab a slice or two whenever you’re craving something sweet.
Frozen, the bread can last up to 3 months. Just thaw slices overnight in the refrigerator or pop them into the toaster oven for a warm treat. It’s such a great way to enjoy a taste of summer zucchini even in the colder months!
What to Serve with Zucchini Bread
Chocolate zucchini bread makes a great dish to serve with many other types of foods. Here are some ideas on what to serve with chocolate zucchini bread.
- Breakfast Foods
- Butter
- Whipped Cream
- Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
- Fruit Salad
Recipe: Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Chocolate zucchini bread is a delicious treat that’s moist, rich, and full of tasty ingredients like chocolate and zucchini. Here’s a recipe to make the best and most amazing chocolate zucchini bread.
Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon optional
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted (or vegetable oil)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 ½ cups grated zucchini about 1 medium zucchini
- 1 cup chocolate chips plus extra for sprinkling on top
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Prepare the zucchini: Grate the zucchini using a box grater. Press the 1. Prepare the zucchini: Grate the zucchini using a box grater. Press the grated zucchini lightly with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, but don’t wring it out completely—you want the zucchini to retain some moisture for the bread.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter or non stick spray, or line it with parchment paper to make removing the baked zucchini bread easier.
- Mix the dry ingredients: Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon to a large mixing bowl. Whisk to combine until the ingredients are well combined.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth. Add the eggs to the mixture, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and Greek yogurt or sour cream.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring after each addition until the mixture is just combined. Gently fold in the grated zucchini, Â chocolate chips, and chopped nuts (optional)..
- Pour the batter into the pan: Pour the chocolate zucchini bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly around the pan. Sprinkle a handful of extra chocolate chips on top of the chocolate zucchini bread if you like.
- Bake: Bake the chocolate zucchini bread for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out with just a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). If the top is browning too quickly, you can tent the bread with aluminum foil during the last 10 to 15 minutes of baking.
- Cool the bread: Allow the chocolate zucchini bread to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, and then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve the bread: Slice the chocolate zucchini bread, and enjoy it! Serve the bread with butter, whipped cream, chocolate hazelnut spread, or honey. This bread is delicious warm, at room temperature, or even chilled.
Looking for more great recipes?
- How to Make Easy Blueberry Muffins | Breakfast Recipe
- The Best Pumpkin Muffins Recipe You’ll Eat This Fall
This post was all about how to make the best chocolate zucchini bread.
Credits
- Featured photos by vm2002 via Canva.com
- Photos and images are for illustration purposes only.