Sinful and delicious, this Double Chocolate Zucchini bread will make you do a double-take! (insert cackle laugh) Even though it’s loaded with garden fresh zucchini, the chocolate flavor and moist, dense texture take center stage here.
This summer I was so proud of my bountiful harvest from the garden. I planted everything from sweet potatoes to cabbage. I also knew to get a slew of recipes ready because sometimes you get lot to handle at the same time. In fact, I have 4 sugar pumpkins in my pantry just waiting for me to use. This recipe was inspired by one question. What in the world does one do when pounds of zucchini are ready for harvest at the same time? A classic option is zucchini bread, of course! Although I intended to freeze some of the zucchini, I didn’t have any leftover after all of the recipes I wanted to make.
This Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread was one of those recipes and it is fabulous. This incredibly moist, nearly sinful bread will make you not believe it has veggies in it. In fact, 2 full cups of zucchini in the loaf!
Of course, there are other yummy ingredients in this bread that are worth mentioning. Unlike my Zucchini Muffins, I skipped the nuts and raisins and doubled-down on the chocolate. For this particular batch, I went for a natural cocoa powder rather than a dutch processed cocoa. Basically, it was what I had in the cabinet. I kept the cinnamon because cinnamon really seems to bring out the richness in chocolate. I like flavor enhancers in my chocolate. A little espresso powder, cinnamon, or steeped tea can make each slice incredibly rich and explode with chocolatey goodness. Try it out and experiment for fun!
And with all that, I had to keep it a little lighter without giving up the decadent taste. Therefore, applesauce was subbed for about half of the oil. I, personally, can’t go full applesauce. I find that although you can substitute applesauce for oil or butter in a 1:1 ratio (1 cup =1 cup), the texture often suffers in baking. Certain recipes are also better equipped to handle the sauce.
Anytime I can find a way to get those extra veggies in our family’s diet is a good time. I mean, the zucchini cancels out the chocolate, right? No? Oh well, it is still delicious and I can smile knowing that.
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 1/4 cup White Sugar
- 3/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 2 tsp Vanilla
- 2 cups Zucchini shredded with a grater or food processor, and spread on paper towels for 30 minutes if the zucchini is super wet
- 2 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder I used regular cocoa
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup walnuts optional
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Preheat oven to 350. Grease 2 5x9 bread loaf pans or muffin tins.
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In a mixing bowl, blend oil, applesauce, and eggs together. Add vanilla, sugar, and brown sugar. Mix until smooth.
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In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together. One cup at a time, add dry mixture to wet and blend before adding next cup until all are just mixed. Using a spoon, stir in the shredded zucchini. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
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Spoon batter into pans. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow bread to cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack. Slice and serve when the bread has completely cooled or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and serve at room temperature or zap it in the microwave for 15 seconds.
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I think the zucchini totally cancels out the chocolate, that’s gotta be the way it works! This bread looks amazing and so chocolatey – love it!
I’m always so amazed by you! This looks so good! Pinned and tweeted. I appreciate you taking the time to party with us. I hope to see you on Monday at 7. Happy Saturday! Lou Lou Girls
So, since it’s zucchini it’s healthy and I can eat more, right? Zucchini bread and chocolate are two of my favorite things in the world. Genius to put them together! Pinning and adding to my grocery list right this minute.
Your recipe looks delicious!! Double chocolate…. Yum!
Okay, this definitely needs to happen in my kitchen stat!! I had so many zucchini this year (my first yer growing it too) and I’ve been running out of really solid recipes to try. Yum!
Love the chocolate and zucchini combination! I often bake zucchini bread, but never tried adding chocolate or cocoa powder. Pinned to try it!
I have zucchini in my fridge right now and I need to make this, today! This looks amazing. Thank you, thank you for sharing this recipe!
Wow does this bread look fantastic, Rachel! I’ve never had a chocolate zucchini bread before, let alone one with double the chocolate. I absolutely love this!