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Home » Breakfast » Brunch » Our Favorite Zucchini Bread

Our Favorite Zucchini Bread

Created: August 7, 2020 Updated: August 10, 2020 by lyuba 26 Comments

17.1K shares
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This Zucchini Bread is our family’s favorite recipe. So easy to make, topped with sweet cinnamon flavored crumble, and drizzled with icing. You will absolutely love this super moist, sweet, and tender bread with a pleasant combination of textures. 

When zucchini season comes around and overloads you with fresh, delicious zucchini, you know it’s time to make some great recipes. Don’t let the season go by without enjoying Zucchini Fritters or Zucchini Boats. If you haven’t tried savory zucchini muffins yet, make sure to stop by and get the recipe for Cheddar Zucchini Muffins.

two slices of zucchini bread cut off the loaf laying one on top of the other and loaf next to them

This bread is definitely something you need to try soon. The best part is the combination of soft, moist and tender bread with the sweet and crunchy streusel topping.

Even my kids, who are extremely picky, can’t resist this tasty bread. Not even the sight of the green specks of zucchini can turn them away. If you can convince them to just try a little bit, they will be sold because a vegetable can really taste this good!

shredded zucchini on a paper towel on to of a wooden cutting board with a box grater behind it

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Do I have to peel zucchini?

Nope! No need to peel the zucchini because the skin will cook nice and soft. Plus, the skin is what holds most of the vitamins and nutrients so it would be a water to get rid of. Simply wash the zucchini, wipe it dry, and grate. Don’t cut the stem off so you can hold onto it while grating but discard it after. 

Do I have to squeeze out zucchini?

No, don’t squeeze out the zucchini but pat some of the excess liquid with a paper towel. Some zucchini will have a different amount of moisture in it for example, store-bought doesn’t have as much moisture as garden zucchini. You don’t want to get rid of all the moisture, just the excess. Grate zucchini right onto a paper towel and spread it out a little so it’s no longer in a mount. Use another sheet of paper tower to gently pat it. 

How to grate zucchini?

Wash zucchini, wipe it off, and cut off the very tip, not the stem. Use the larger size holes of the box grater to grate the zucchini all the way down to the stem. Keeping the stem on will help you hold onto it until the end. (You can also use a food processor with the grating disk attachment.)

Why did my bread fall?

There are a few reasons why a quick bread can sink in after baking and that’s under-cooking, over-mixing, bread pan was over-filled, and stale baking soda and baking powder.

Make sure to get fresh baking soda and baking powder every 6-9 months if you don’t bake often. Don’t fill the pan too much, bread pan should be filled about half way or only a little bit more. Whisk quick bread batter just until the ingredients are combined and smooth and don’t beat or whisk too long.

And finally, make sure to bake it long enough so it’s cooked through. If you’re worried about the top browning too much, loosely tent the top with a sheet of aluminum foil. You can use a thermometer to check if the bread reached 200° in the center. If you don’t have an instant read digital thermometer, you can use your fingers to gently press in the center and see how firm it is or do the toothpick test. (I highly recommend getting a thermometer if you cook and bake even a little bit.)

Can I put under-baked bread back into the oven?

Yes, in most cases you can put quick breads right back into the oven to cook more. Make sure the oven is still at the right temperature and bread is hot. Don’t try to bake cooled bread. Place the bread back into the oven for another 10-15 minutes as needed.

Can I make this bread into muffins?

Absolutely, simply divide the batter into the cups of a muffin pan and bake for 18-20 minutes. 

large spoon scooping out some zucchini bread batter out of a silver mixing bowl

HOW TO MAKE ZUCCHINI BREAD

Grate Zucchini:

Wash zucchini, wipe it off, and cut off the very tip, not the stem. Place the grater onto a sheet of paper towel and use the large grate side of the box grater to grate the zucchini all the way down to the stem. Discard the stem.

Spread grated zucchini out a little so it’s no longer in a mound and use another sheet of paper tower to gently pat the excess moisture. 

Mix the Batter:

Whisk together wet ingredients and sugar just until combined. Add flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, baking soda, and baking powder and gently whisk together just until incorporated and smooth.

Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease a ceramic or glass bread baking dish all over the bottom and up the sides and pour bread batter into it. 

spreading crumble topping over the top of the zucchini bread batter in a blue bread baking bowl

Make Streusel Topping:

In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Mix well until all ingredients are incorporated evenly.

Pour in melted butter and carefully fold it in with a large fork. You will want to be careful so you don’t over-mix. Streusel should look like large crumbs and not paste.

Spread streusel topping evenly all over the batter.

Bake:

Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes. You can use a thermometer to check if the bread reached internal temperature of 200° in the center. If you don’t have an instant read digital thermometer, you can use your fingers to gently press in the center and see how firm it is or do the toothpick test.

Icing:

Make the icing right before you need to add it to the bread because it hardens as it sits. Whisk powdered sugar and warmed heavy whipping together and drizzle it over the baked bread.

drizzling white icing over the top of the baked zucchini loaf out of a measuring cup with grey napkin on the backgroun

STORING AND FREEZING TIPS

You can store zucchini bread at room temperature for about 2 days but make sure to cover it air-tight. In a high moisture environment, it would not last longer than 2 days. To extend the shelf lime of this bread, store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make sure to keep it covered air-tight as well.

Freezing:

To freeze zucchini bread, cool it down completely first. You can slice the bread and freeze individual slices or freeze the whole loaf. For sliced breads, place a small sheet of parchment paper in between each slice to keep them from sticking together or wrap each slice individually.

Wrap the whole loaf of bread in aluminum foil first and then place it in a large zip-lock freezer bags and let the air out. Freeze for up to 3 months but no longer.

Defrost the bread on the counter top. Slices of bread will take minutes to defrost.

side view of zucchini loaf with crumble topping and white icing drizzled all over the top and dripping off the sides and a grey napkin on the background

OUR FAVORITE QUICK BREAD RECIPES:

We love sweet quick breads as a snack or for breakfast. Banana bread is an all-time classic that never gets tiring but you can mix it up and make Coconut Banana Bread. Try Coconut Key Lime Bread too if you’re a fan of coconut. 

Caramel Pumpkin Pull Apart Bread is a different kind of quick bread but also fast, easy, and delicious. 

Have you tried savory quick breads? If not, definitely try this Caprese Quick Bread and Bacon Cheese Bread. 

front side view of zucchini loaf topped with crumble topping and white icing dripping off the sides

If you made any of my recipes and shared them on Instagram, make sure to tag me @willcookforsmiles and #willcookforsmiles so I can see all the things you tried!

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PIN THIS RECIPE

two slices of zucchini bread cut off the loaf laying one on top of the other and loaf next to them

Zucchini Bread

This Zucchini Bread soft, moist and tender. So easy to make, topped with sweet cinnamon flavored crumble, and drizzled with icing.
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: quick bead, zucchini
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 432kcal
Author: lyuba

Ingredients

Zucchini Bread Batter:

  • 12-14 oz zucchini about 1 1/2 cups grated
  • 1 cup white granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Streusel Topping:

  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp white granulated sugar
  • 3 tbsp salted butter melted
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Icing:

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°.

Zucchini Bread Batter:

  • Wash zucchini, wipe it off, and cut off the very tip, not the stem. Place the grater onto a sheet of paper towel and use the large grate side of the box grater to grate zucchini all the way down to the stem. Discard the stem.
  • Spread grated zucchini out a little so it’s no longer in a mound and use another sheet of paper tower to gently pat the excess moisture. 
  • Whisk together zucchini, eggs, oil, vanilla extract, and sugar just until combined.
  • Add flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, baking soda, and baking powder and gently whisk together just until incorporated and smooth.
  • Grease a ceramic or glass bread baking dish all over the bottom and up the sides and pour bread batter into it.

Streusel Topping:

  • In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Mix well until all ingredients are incorporated evenly.
  • Pour in melted butter and carefully fold it in with a large fork. You will want to be careful so you don’t over-mix. Streusel should look like large crumbs and not paste.
  • Spread streusel topping evenly all over the batter.
  • Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes. You can use a thermometer to check if the bread reached internal temperature of 200° in the center. If you don’t have an instant read digital thermometer, you can use your fingers to gently press in the center and see how firm it is or do the toothpick test.

Icing:

  • Whisk powdered sugar and warmed heavy whipping together and drizzle it over the baked bread.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 432kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 220mg | Potassium: 203mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 355IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles and tag #willcookforsmiles

collage of two images: on to is the close view of the top of zucchini bread topped with crumble and icing and on the bottom is two slices of zucchini bread cut off the loaf

LYUBA

ABOUT LYUBA

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read more...

17.1K shares

Filed Under: Bread, Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert, Seasonal

All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe. Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.

Comments

  1. Carla says

    August 7, 2020 at 1:56 pm

    5 stars
    Super delicious!

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      August 10, 2020 at 6:00 pm

      Thank you, Carla 🙂

      Reply
  2. Caroline says

    August 11, 2020 at 11:44 am

    would love to try this. different from what I make. what size pan please?

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      August 13, 2020 at 4:00 pm

      Hi Caroline,

      The standard loaf pan is 8×4 and 9×5, I recommend using a 9×5 for this recipe because it usually bakes more evenly and better in that size. Hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  3. Ann S Goodson says

    August 22, 2020 at 5:27 pm

    I have been making a variety of zucchini bread recipes over the years,BUT this one has won the prize. I will make again & again.
    It has a lovely texture and is very moist.

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      August 24, 2020 at 2:27 pm

      Wow! Thank you, Ann! What a great compliment, you made my day! Thank you for taking the time to come tell me! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Gail Cooke says

    September 22, 2020 at 11:08 am

    Would it still be moist if I didn’t put a topping on it?

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      September 24, 2020 at 12:22 pm

      Hi Gail,

      Yes, it will still be moist without the topping just a little less sweet.

      Reply
  5. ANGELIQUE says

    May 30, 2021 at 11:52 am

    Hey there! I wanted to try this recipe in mini 6 inch loaf pans, how many loaves do you think this recipe would make?

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      June 3, 2021 at 10:27 am

      Hi Angelique,

      I think it will make around 5 mini loaves.

      Reply
  6. Linda says

    August 9, 2021 at 5:33 pm

    When making the zucchini bread can I use self rising flour? How would that change the baking powder and baking soda measurements?

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      August 17, 2021 at 11:37 am

      Hi Linda,

      I would use regular flour for this recipe, it is a simple bread without yeast we don’t need it to rise. I hope this helps.

      Reply
  7. Maria says

    August 28, 2021 at 3:28 pm

    5 stars
    It was delicious – I used lemon juice instead of milk for the glaze – yum.

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      August 30, 2021 at 4:24 pm

      Yum! I like the lemon juice idea! I am glad you liked it!

      Reply
  8. DC says

    September 23, 2021 at 11:55 am

    Hi,
    Wanting to make a large batch of muffins – do you think I could successfully double this recipe?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      September 27, 2021 at 1:42 pm

      Yes, you can double this recipe! I hope you enjoy them!

      Reply
  9. Beverly says

    October 11, 2021 at 4:53 pm

    Love this recipe! I made mini loaves instead. I also added a bit more nutmeg and cinnamon cuz I love the spice. Instead of the topping, I used dried cranberries and honey roasted almonds. This recipe was super moist and delicious! I will definitely be using it for now on when I make zucchini bread!!

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      October 13, 2021 at 9:09 am

      I am so glad you liked the recipe, Beverly!

      Reply
  10. Michelle says

    July 20, 2022 at 7:47 am

    5 stars
    STOP! No need to look at any other zucchini bread recipes, this is outstanding! If I could give this a 10 out of 5 stars I would. Made 5 batches this past weekend and plan to make more with all the zucchini out of the garden. Thank you!

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      July 25, 2022 at 11:34 am

      Wow! Thank you so much for the kind comment, Michelle! I am so happy you like the recipe!

      Reply
  11. Diane says

    August 5, 2022 at 6:53 pm

    OMG, this is such a delicious loaf. I didn’t’t even put the glaze on it, that crumb topping is so dame good. Even my picky granddaughter who will not eat a vegetable, LOVES IT! Thank you.. I have one in the oven as I’m writing this comment.

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      August 8, 2022 at 11:02 am

      That’s great! I am so glad you liked it, Diane!

      Reply
  12. Kelly says

    August 30, 2022 at 12:00 am

    5 stars
    So good!!! Great texture and not too sweet. Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      September 5, 2022 at 2:04 pm

      You are so welcome, Kelly! I am glad you liked the recipe!

      Reply
  13. Marsha says

    December 20, 2022 at 10:17 am

    Could this be made with gluten free flour??

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      December 20, 2022 at 5:26 pm

      Hi Marsha,

      I haven’t tried it so I am not sure if it would work but I have used gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour in other recipes with success so you could try that. But know the texture will be a little different than with regular flour.

      Reply

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Well, hey there!

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read More.

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