This chocolate zucchini bread is super moist and delicious, packed with sneaky veggies that make it a little healthier! You won’t even taste the zucchini!
Trust me, this treat can easily fool even the pickiest eaters. Every bite is like a chocolate hug for your taste buds! It’s perfect for breakfast or a snack anytime. Yum!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Zucchini: Using about one medium zucchini gives you roughly 2 cups grated. It adds moisture without a strong flavor. If you’re out of zucchini, you could substitute with finely grated carrots or apple for a sweeter twist.
Flour: A gluten-free flour blend is essential for this recipe. Look for blends that contain xanthan gum for structure. If you can’t find it, you can use almond flour, but reduce the amount by about 1/2 cup, as it’s denser.
Sugar: Coconut sugar gives a nice flavor. Brown sugar is also great and brings more moisture. If you prefer a sugar substitute, consider using a stevia blend that measures like sugar.
Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa is a must for that rich chocolate taste. If you want a sweeter bread, you might replace a portion with chocolate cocoa powder, but be careful with sugar adjustments!
How Do You Perfectly Grate Zucchini for Baking?
Grating zucchini well is key to making this bread moist. Here’s how to do it right:
- Use the large holes of a box grater for quicker grating.
- After grating, place the zucchini in a clean kitchen towel (or cheesecloth) and squeeze excess moisture. This helps the bread not to become soggy.
- Ensure you have about 2 cups after squeezing – this affects cooking time and overall texture!
What’s the Best Way to Bake and Store Zucchini Bread?
For baking, make sure your oven is preheated to 350°F (175°C) and check doneness using a toothpick. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, it’s perfect. Let it cool for at least 15 minutes before removing it from the pan!
To store, wrap the bread in plastic wrap or foil. It keeps well at room temperature for a day, or you can refrigerate it to last for a week. For longer storage, consider freezing slices and thaw them as needed.
How to Make Moist Gluten-Free Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups grated zucchini (about 1 medium zucchini)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour blend (ensure it contains xanthan gum or add 1/2 teaspoon)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
For Topping:
- 1 cup chocolate chips, divided (semi-sweet or dark)
How Much Time Will You Need?
Get ready to spend about 15 minutes preparing the ingredients, followed by 45-55 minutes of baking time. Plus, you’ll want to let the bread cool for about 15 minutes before diving in. Total time: around 1 hour and 15 minutes to enjoy a warm slice!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare the Pan:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×5-inch loaf pan, line it with parchment paper, or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
2. Grate the Zucchini:
Use the large holes of a box grater to grate the zucchini. Then, place the grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and gently squeeze to remove some of the excess moisture. Set the zucchini aside; this helps keep your bread from getting soggy!
3. Beat the Wet Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, crack the eggs and whisk them together with the coconut sugar until the mixture is well combined. Now mix in the melted coconut oil and vanilla extract until everything is nice and smooth.
4. Combine the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon if you’re using it. This helps to evenly distribute all the dry ingredients!
5. Mix It All Together:
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to over mix; it’s okay if there are a few lumps!
6. Fold in the Good Stuff:
Now, fold in the grated zucchini and half of the chocolate chips; this adds that lovely chocolatey goodness throughout the bread.
7. Prepare for Baking:
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top, because who doesn’t love extra chocolate?
8. Bake to Perfection:
Pop your loaf pan in the oven and bake for 45-55 minutes. To check if it’s done, insert a toothpick into the center of the bread; it should come out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs.
9. Cool and Enjoy:
Once baked, allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial; it helps the flavors develop even further!
Enjoy your rich, moist, and chocolatey gluten-free zucchini bread—perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a delightful dessert! Happy baking!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I Use Other Types of Flour?
Yes! While a gluten-free flour blend is recommended, you can also use almond flour or oat flour. Just keep in mind that if using almond flour, reduce the total amount by about 1/2 cup to avoid a denser loaf.
How Do I Store Leftover Zucchini Bread?
To store, wrap the cooled zucchini bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It will stay fresh at room temperature for about 2-3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it by slicing it first, wrapping each piece separately, and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. It’ll last up to 3 months in the freezer.
Can I Make This Bread Vegan?
Absolutely! To make it vegan, substitute the eggs with 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water, let it sit until gel-like). The bread will still turn out deliciously moist!
What Can I Serve with This Bread?
This chocolate zucchini bread is delightful on its own, but you can enhance it by spreading a bit of nut butter or cream cheese on top. It also pairs nicely with a cup of coffee or tea for a cozy treat!
