Ultimate Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread: Your New Go-To Quick Bread Recipe for Summer Sweetness
Discover the joy of baking with summer’s bounty! This Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread is an irresistibly moist and richly flavored quick bread, perfect for using up garden zucchini and satisfying your deepest chocolate cravings. An easy, comforting treat that will become a family favorite!
There’s something undeniably comforting and utterly satisfying about a freshly baked loaf of quick bread. For many of us, it evokes a sense of home, warmth, and simple pleasures. Unlike yeast breads that demand patience and proofing, quick breads live up to their name – they’re fast, straightforward, and incredibly rewarding to bake. They’re the perfect solution when a craving for something sweet and wholesome hits, or when you need a delightful homemade treat with minimal fuss. This particular recipe for Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread encapsulates all of that charm, offering a deeply rich chocolate flavor balanced beautifully by the subtle addition of fresh zucchini.
What makes this double chocolate zucchini bread truly stand out? It’s the ingenious combination of two distinct chocolate elements folded into the batter. We’re talking about rich, melted unsweetened chocolate that forms the foundation of its profound chocolate essence, complemented by an generous helping of semi-sweet chocolate chips that create delightful pockets of melty goodness throughout each slice. This dual-chocolate approach delivers a complex, authentic chocolate taste that you won’t get from cocoa powder alone, resulting in a more refined and intensely satisfying experience.
The Magic Ingredient: Zucchini
As summer rolls around, zucchini inevitably becomes a star in gardens and grocery stores alike. It’s abundant, versatile, and often surprisingly affordable, making it a fantastic ingredient to incorporate into your baking. While many people think of zucchini primarily in savory dishes, it truly shines in sweet treats like this chocolate zucchini bread. Its mild flavor ensures it won’t overpower the delicious chocolate, while its high water content contributes unparalleled moisture to the bread, resulting in a tender, never-dry crumb.
And let’s be honest, sneaking a serving of vegetables into a dessert is always a win, especially if you have discerning eaters at home! Your kids (or even some adults) will be none the wiser that this decadent treat is also packed with healthy greens. It’s a delightful culinary trick that allows you to indulge your sweet tooth while feeling a little virtuous, too. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener with an overflowing harvest or simply looking to take advantage of seasonal produce from the market, zucchini bread is an absolute must-make. No green thumb required to enjoy the benefits of this wonderful vegetable in a sweet context!
Double the Chocolate, Double the Delight
This recipe isn’t just “chocolate zucchini bread”; it’s *double* chocolate zucchini bread, and that distinction makes all the difference. The foundation of the chocolate flavor comes from melted unsweetened chocolate, which provides a deep, authentic base that is rich without being overly sweet. This sets it apart from recipes that rely solely on cocoa powder, offering a more nuanced and “real” chocolate taste. As it melts and integrates into the batter, it infuses every morsel with its luxurious essence.
Then, the chocolate chips are folded in, creating delightful pockets of gooey, melted chocolate in every bite. This textural contrast and burst of sweetness elevate the bread from merely good to absolutely irresistible. The combination ensures a robust chocolate presence throughout the entire loaf, making it a true treat for any chocolate lover. It’s a harmonious blend that creates a profound depth of flavor and an amazing mouthfeel.
Tips for Baking the Perfect Quick Bread
Achieving a perfectly moist and tender quick bread is simpler than you might think, and a few key tips can elevate your baking experience:
- Don’t Overmix: This is perhaps the most crucial rule for quick breads. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough, dense loaf. Mix the wet and dry ingredients only until they are *just* combined. A few lumps in the batter are perfectly fine!
- Prepare Your Zucchini Properly: Zucchini contains a lot of water. After grating, it’s beneficial to place it on paper towels and gently squeeze out any excess moisture. This step prevents your bread from becoming too soggy and ensures a perfect texture.
- Grease Your Pans Well: Lightly greasing and flouring your loaf pans will prevent sticking and make for easy removal once the bread is baked and cooled.
- Check for Doneness: Bake times can vary depending on your oven. The best way to tell if your chocolate zucchini bread is ready is to insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached, it’s done. If it comes out wet, continue baking for a few more minutes.
- Cool Properly: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before carefully turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the bread set and prevents it from crumbling.
This recipe is incredibly adaptable too. While it calls for Truvia Baking Blend, you can easily substitute it with traditional granulated sugar. Similarly, coconut oil or canola oil both work wonderfully, allowing you to choose based on preference or what you have on hand. The use of white whole wheat flour provides a slightly healthier twist without compromising on the bread’s delightful texture.
Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread
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Ingredients
- 2 1 ounce squares unsweetened chocolate
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup Truvia Baking Blend or 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup coconut oil or canola oil
- 2 cups grated zucchini about two zucchinis
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups white whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly grease two 9×5 inch loaf pans.
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Microwave chocolate until melted, stirring occasionally until chocolate is smooth.
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Grate zucchini and place on paper towels.
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In a large bowl, combine eggs, Truvia or sugar, oil, grated zucchini, vanilla and melted chocolate. Stir in the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips. Pour batter equally into prepared loaf pans.
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Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for about 10 minutes and then dump out carefully onto cooling rack.
Notes
Serving Suggestions & Storage
Once your Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread has cooled, it’s ready to be devoured! This versatile quick bread is fantastic at any time of day. Enjoy a slice for breakfast with your morning coffee, pack it as a satisfying afternoon snack, or serve it as a simple yet elegant dessert. It’s delicious on its own, but you can also elevate it with a dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a drizzle of chocolate ganache for an extra special touch.
To store your homemade zucchini bread and keep it fresh, simply wrap individual slices or the entire loaf tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store it at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you want to extend its freshness, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. For longer storage, this bread freezes beautifully. Wrap cooled loaves tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil, and store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy a taste of summer goodness again.
This Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to enjoy the simple pleasures of home baking, to celebrate seasonal ingredients, and to create delicious memories with every bite. Its ease of preparation, irresistible flavor, and hidden veggie goodness make it a winning recipe you’ll return to again and again.
If you liked this quick bread recipe, you might like these too:
{Secret Ingredient} Healthy Banana Bread
Eggnog Bread
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Loaf
More zucchini bread recipes from friends:
- Cinnamon Zucchini Bread by Chocolate, Chocolate & More
- Dark Chocolate Zucchini Bread with Coconut Glaze by Gather for Bread
- Classic Zucchini Bread by Recipe Girl