Classic Zucchini Bread

Updated Aug. 19, 2024

Classic Zucchini Bread
Peter DaSilva for The New York Times
Total Time
1 hour 15 minutes
Rating
5(2,920)
Comments
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A quintessential quick bread, zucchini bread blurs the line between breakfast and cake, making it acceptable for both. This version is on the sweeter side, the vegetal flavors mellowed by brown sugar, cinnamon and a bit of browned butter. While not always necessary, squeezing excess water from the zucchini will prevent the batter from being too wet while keeping the end result moist. Since this recipe makes two loaves (if you’re going to grate all that zucchini, might as well make it count), know that one will freeze excellently for at least a month. The recipe can also be halved with great success.

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Ingredients

Yield:2 loaves
  • ½ cup/113 grams unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan
  • 3½ cups/447 grams all-purpose flour
  • 2teaspoons cinnamon
  • 2teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1¼ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1¼ teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (or ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg)
  • 4large eggs
  • ¾ cup/165 grams light brown sugar
  • ¾ cup/151 grams sugar
  • ¾ cup/180 milliliters canola oil
  • 1½ pounds zucchini, unpeeled and grated on a box grater (about 3 medium zucchini)
  • 4tablespoons demerara or turbinado sugar (optional)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (18 servings)

319 calories; 16 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 8 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 41 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 21 grams sugars; 4 grams protein; 257 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 2 8-x4-inch loaf pans with softened butter and line with parchment paper.

  2. Step 2

    Melt butter in a small pot over medium heat. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the butter starts to brown and smell like hazelnuts, 5 to 7 minutes. Use a whisk to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot; set aside.

  3. Step 3

    Whisk together flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, baking soda and nutmeg in a large bowl.

  4. Step 4

    Whisk together eggs, light brown sugar, sugar and canola oil in a medium bowl until no lumps remain and eggs are well blended.

  5. Step 5

    Using your hands, squeeze out as much water as possible from the zucchini. Add zucchini and browned butter to the egg mixture, whisking to blend.

  6. Step 6

    Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients. Use a spatula to slowly incorporate until no dry spots remain.

  7. Step 7

    Divide batter among prepared pans, smoothing the top. Sprinkle both with demerara sugar, if using, and place in oven. Bake, rotating once, until bread is golden brown on top, pulls away from the sides and springs back lightly when pressed at the top, 50 to 60 minutes.

  8. Step 8

    Let cool completely on a wire rack before removing from the loaf pan.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
2,920 user ratings
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Comments

Made the recipe as written, with 3 medium zucchinis, squeezed well. There was enough batter for 12 regular sized muffins and 24 mini muffins (lightly greased all muffin wells with softened butter). Baked the mini muffins for 14 minutes at 350, and the regular sized muffins for about 22 minutes at 350. Nice crown, nice crumb, nice color, and excellent flavor. Thank you for the great recipe!

This recipe was wonderful! Used 2 small zucchinis and halved the ingredients to make a single loaf. Substituted the brown sugar with a little less of standard sugar. It was so good we were only able to eat 3 slices before our dog could not resist, jumped on the counter and ate it all. Now I wish I made 2 loaves.

I use lemon zest instead of cinnamon. It really brightens the taste and makes less run of the mill. About a tablespoon.

Made as directed, but I forgot the oil - and it came out fine, not dry at all. What's up with that? (I did squeeze the zuke.)

Wondering whether I could add fresh blueberries to this? Or do you think it would make it too wet? Just trying to use some up.

I used half a batch to make a dozen muffins instead of a loaf. I had two baby zucchini and a little pattypan squash, which weren’t quite enough so I added a carrot too. Grated on the smaller holes. Baked for 45 minutes. They came out great, nice and moist. Browning the butter added an extra dimension. I’ll freeze six for later.

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