Updated June 2024 Zucchini Bread with Double Chocolate: There is a lot of chocolate goodness with both chocolate chips and cocoa powder added to this zucchini bread. The decadent double chocolate is so good you might even forget it has zucchini. If you are looking for more zucchini bread recipes, make my Blueberry Zucchini Muffins recipe and bake it as a loaf of bread instead of muffins.
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SIS Tip - Simple is Smart Tip for Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Not everyone loves their green veggies. When my kids were growing up they were pretty good at eating their veggies and so are my grandkids. My one granddaughter even loves Brussel Sprouts but some aren’t a fan of zucchini. A dilemma for this mom and grandma.
I grow zucchini and during zucchini season I was always looking for creative ways to use up the extra zucchini. I tried hiding it in pancakes, muffins, zucchini pasta, zucchini fritters, and they got very good at spotting that tell-tale green spot.
Peeling it first took care of that problem and this recipe for chocolate zucchini bread was always a favorite and they didn’t even suspect it had zucchini in it. Score!!!
Nutrition Nugget for Dark Chocolate
There is a Neuroscience reason that this zucchini bread will put a smile on your face. Of course the obvious reason is that it is so yummy but even more than that, there is scientific evidence that it contains a couple of precursors for our bodies natural happiness molecules dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine is our reward chemical.
When it is present we are more motivated. Serotonin is a natural antidepressant. One of the main pharmaceutical antidepressants works by keeping our body from breaking down it’s natural serotonin as rapidly as it normally would. Zucchini also is high in fiber which helps feed our gut’s microbiome. A happy gut microbiome is important for a happy human.
What are the ingredients in this chocolate zucchini bread?
- Chocolate: of course, double the chocolate double the yum with cocoa powder and chocolate chips.
- Zucchini: A word about the zucchini. For this recipe, don’t peel or remove any of the extra moisture from the zucchini. Zucchini is 95% water (WOW). The zucchini releases most of that water into the bread. So don’t dismay if the batter is thick and dry looking before you add the zucchini. The zucchini water thins the batter to the perfect consistency.
- Maple Syrup: I’ve also replaced the white sugar with maple syrup. The hint of maple goes well with the chocolate, and it is better for you than refined white sugar.
- Brown Sugar: This sugar is still refined slightly better for you than white sugar.
- Espresso Powder: Are you wondering what the espresso powder is doing in this recipe? Wonder no more. Espresso or coffee enhances and intensifies the flavor of chocolate. It only takes a tiny amount. Also, the small amount won’t give your zucchini bread a mocha flavor. All you will taste is the deep, dark, decadent chocolate. I’m so happy!!!
- Eggs: Support your local farmer or neighbor and go for the large free range eggs.
- Vanilla: This is one flavoring I splurge on and go for the pure vanilla extract.
- Oil: I use vegetable oil in this recipe. I don’t know how it would taste with olive oil. If you make it with olive oil please let me know.
- Cocoa Powder: Use the unsweetened Bakers Cocoa.
- All-Purpose Flour
- Baking soda and baking powder to give your bread some lift and lightness.
How Do I Make and Bake Zucchini Bread with Double Chocolate?
This is a 5 step recipe:
- Mix the liquid ingredients together in a bowl.
- Mix the dry ingredients together and add to the liquid ingredients.
- Grate the zucchini and add the zucchini and chocolate chips to the rest of the ingredients in the mixing bowl. Mix all together. Don’t overmix or the center of your loaf will sink during baking.
- Make a parchment sling for your baking pan. (My secret to guarantee a perfect looking loaf every time). Fill the baking pan and bake the zucchini Bread for 55 to 60 minutes or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool for 30 minutes, then remove it from the pan using the parchment sling to lift it out. No sticking to the pan guaranteed. Slice and enjoy. I’m off to get me a slice. See you on the next blog with a happy chocolate-induced grin.
How Do I Make a Parchment Sling?
A parchment sling (click here for parchment paper)is the best way to keep your beautiful loaf of zucchini, or any other batter type bread from sticking to the pan it is baked in. Here is how to make one:
- Cut a piece of parchment long enough to cover the two long sides and bottom of the pan with 1 inch extra on each end.
- Spray the baking pan with nonstick baking spray and stick the parchment into the baking pan. Leave 1 inch sticking up over the top of the pan. This will act as a handle when it is time to remove the baked loaf from the pan.
- Spray the parchment with more spray before filling with the bread batter and then add the batter to the pan.
- For this recipe, the batter should only half fill the pan before baking.
- Once the loaf is baked, let it cool for about 30 minutes, loosen the ends that aren’t covered with parchment, and simply lift your loaf out of the pan using the ends of the parchment as handles.
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Zucchini Bread with Double Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup maple syrup (59 ml)
- ½ cup vegetable oil (118ml)
- ⅔ cup packed brown sugar (142g)
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp espresso powder(optional)
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa (21g)
- 1½ cup chocolate chips (255g)
- 1½ cups shredded zucchini (240g)
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour (180g)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Prepare the loaf pan by spraying it with non-stick spray and then lining the long sides and bottom with parchment paper. The parchment paper forms a sling. spray again. This ensures the baked loaf will be easy to remove from the baking pan and the parchment.
- Mix together the eggs, vegetable oil, brown sugar, and vanilla and maple syrup
- Mix together in a separate bowl the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, espresso powder, and unsweetened cocoa
- Add the flour mixture to the liquid mixture and gently stir to mix in. Do not overmix. There will be some lumps.
- Gently fold in the shredded zucchini and chocolate chips. Pour into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake in preheated oven for 55 - 60 minutes or until the center is set and a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from the oven when done and cool for 30 minutes before removing from the pan. To remove from the pan. Run a knife along the ends and lift out of the pan using the parchment sling to lift it out of the pan.
So Chocolaty and moist.
Excellent, chocolatey taste! Hve made it several times and am freezing some for long winter nights.
So glad you are enjoying this bread. It freezes well and will be delicious if you toast it a bit and enjoy it with a glass of milk on a snowy winter evening.
Thank you for sharing this gorgeous recipe