Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread

4.5 stars based on 51 votes

This Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread makes the perfect afternoon snack whenever you’re in need of a chocolate fix.  It has a deep chocolate flavor from unsweetened cocoa powder and bittersweet chocolate chips, yet it’s not so sweet that it tastes like dessert. It’s also loaded with zucchini, so there’s some virtue in it.

Begin by grating your zucchini. I use a food processor but you can also do it by hand with a box grater.

Next, melt the butter in a large mixing bowl.

Add the brown sugar.

And stir until smooth.

Stir in the eggs and vanilla, then set aside. (Note: it’s important to stir the brown sugar into the melted butter before adding the eggs, as the hot butter alone could cook the eggs.)

Next, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.

Add it to the wet ingredients.

And stir to combine — it will be very thick.

Next, add the grated zucchini and chocolate chips.

And stir until well combined. It will still be very thick — that’s okay.

Transfer the mixture to a greased loaf pan, and spread the batter evenly with a spatula.

Bake for about an hour, then let the loaf cool in the pan for about ten minutes.

Turn the loaf out onto a rack to cool completely. It’s delicious right out of the oven but it’s best to wait at least an hour to slice it, otherwise it may crumble a little. Enjoy!

Note: My starting point for this recipe was this recipe from King Arthur Flour. I replaced the vegetable oil with butter, swapped out the honey for more brown sugar, and reduced the salt.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

By Jennifer Segal

Servings: One 8-1/2 x 4-1/2-inch loaf

Total Time: 1 Hour 20 Minutes

Ingredients

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2/3 cups all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled off with a knife
• 1/3 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder (ok to substitute natural cocoa powder)
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder or instant coffee (optional)
• 2 cups shredded zucchini (from 1-2 zucchini), gently packed
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8-1/2" x 4-1/2" loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Place the butter in a large microwave-safe mixing bowl and microwave for one minute, or until just melted. Stir in the brown sugar until completely smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla and stir until incorporated. (Be sure to add the eggs after the brown sugar is mixed in, as the hot butter alone could cook the eggs.)
3. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, baking soda and instant coffee (if using) in a medium bowl. Add to the butter mixture and stir until well combined. It will be very thick.
4. Stir in the shredded zucchini and chocolate chips. (It will still be thick -- that's okay.)
5. Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Bake for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean (save for perhaps a smear from the melted chocolate chips). Let the loaf cool on a rack for about 10 minutes before turning out onto a rack to cool completely.

Nutrition Information

• Per serving (16 1/2-inch slices servings)
• Serving size: 1 slice
• Calories: 231
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 33g
• Sugar: 21g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Sodium: 184mg
• Cholesterol: 41mg