Family Kitchen

The Best Zucchini Bread

Posted by brooke mclay on September 8th, 2010 at 10:10 am

BabbleZucchini1 300x236 The Best Zucchini BreadIt’s that time of the year, when an abundace of zucchini crops up in gardens everywhere.  And good thing, too.  Because zucchini bread is the finest of comfort foods, soft and sweet with the warmth of cinnamon.  This recipe is everything you want in a zucchini bread recipe:  a rich, soft texture, each bite full of familiar flavor.  It’s a simple recipe, easy to make with ingredients you most likely have on hand, and so divinely good.  Even the pickiest eaters in your household will ask for another slice of this perfectly simple indulgence.

Perfect Zucchini Bread
One of the reasons I love this recipe (and you will, too!) is that the batter is so versatile. Below, you’ll find cook times for muffins, mini bread loaves, or standard bread loaves. If you are so inclined, toss in an extra 1/4 c. of flour and turn the batter into beautiful, soft zucchini cookies. The recipe is sweet enough without the glaze, but I’ve included the glaze recipe just in case you’re like me–a believer in all things properly frosted. Enjoy! Enjoy!
1/2 c. butter
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
2 c. zucchini, grated
1 t. salt
1 T. cinnamon
1/2 t. baking powder
2 1/4 c. white flour (or half white, half whole wheat flours)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract

Simple Icing Glaze
1 c. powdered sugar
1-2 T. heavy whipping cream

In a large bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and eggs until light and fluffy.  Add all remaining ingredients and mix together well.  In a second, smaller bowl, stir together the ingredients for the glaze until smooth (it should be fairly runny, but not too thin a glaze.)

To make muffins: Spoon batter into muffin tins lined with cupcake wrappers.  Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes, or just until the tops of the muffins spring back to the touch.  Cool before glazing.  Makes about 18 muffins.

To make mini bread loaves: Spoon batter into mini bread tins that have been generously greased and floured.  Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 25-27 minutes, or until the top of the bread springs back to the touch.  Cool before glazing.  Makes 4-6 mini breads.

To make full-sized bread loaves:  Spoon batter into a large bread tin that has been lined with parchment paper, or generously greased and floured.  Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 42-45 minutes, or until the top of the bread springs back when pressed lightly with the finger.  Cool before glazing.  Makes 1 large loaf.

 The Best Zucchini Bread

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13 Comments

[...] plenty.  This week, a gardening friend stopped by with three monster-sized zucc’s.  We made this incredible zucchini bread, two delightsome zucchini quiche, and still had a good four pounds [...]

Real Fast Food: Sneaky Zucchini Chicken Nuggets commented on Sep 13 10 at 11:01 am

Looks great and super easy. Do you think you could use carrots instead of zucchini?

Kirsten commented on Sep 08 10 at 5:41 pm

I can’t wait to make zucchini bread! This looks lovely and moist!

Maria @ Scandifoodie commented on Sep 09 10 at 2:04 am

I made this loaf today ~Delicious. It is easy enough for a beginner and tasty enough for company. The cinnamon is nice! It is a bit moist, so i would bake my next one a few minutes longer, but will definitely make it again.

Dana commented on Sep 09 10 at 3:07 pm

Just made this recipe today. Didn’t have any almond extract so just added more vanilla. Definitely enjoyed the addition of the frosting. Thanks for sharing this recipe. It put a dent in my zucchini surplus.

Susan commented on Oct 07 10 at 9:27 pm

Would it be possible to substitute oil for the butter? Same amounts?

Daniela commented on Feb 01 11 at 6:24 pm

I started making this recipe today, but, Brooke, I’m sure you forgot the liquids in the ingredients. As written, the batter is anything but runny. If you’ll notice, the only significant moisture comes from only two eggs. Finding a lump of what should be batter in my bowl, I checked Paula Deen’s recipe and my Ole’ Miss recipes, and both have liquids specified (oil and water both). Not sure what those of you did who say you made this recipe, but I’d like to see what happens when you try to make this recipe with only two eggs and no other liquid.

Carolyn commented on Mar 19 11 at 7:56 pm

Carolyn, The grated zucchini adds significant moisture and the recipe is written exactly as I made it in my home, which resulted in the photo you see. I hope it works as well for you as it did for me!

Brooke McLay commented on Mar 20 11 at 7:14 pm

I’d must examine with you here. Which is not one thing I normally do! I take pleasure in studying a publish that can make folks think. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to comment!

mydirtyhobby amateure commented on May 05 11 at 2:58 pm

The zucchini adds A LOT of moisture! I ended up using a little over 2 cups of zucchini, and it turned out too moist and dense (but still yummy)!

Angelica commented on Jul 19 11 at 8:06 pm

this looks so yummy Brooke!!!

kathypatalsky commented on Oct 07 11 at 11:31 am

Hi there… I. Don’t normally bake to please excuse my ignorance….
Do I just mix it all up with a spoon, or put it into a mixer?
Thanks for your patience with the idiot question!

Mia commented on Oct 11 11 at 8:51 pm

Sorry.. Me again… I just noticed the instructions below the glaze recipe! Duh! Thanks again for your patience!

Mia commented on Oct 11 11 at 8:52 pm

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