This Double Chocolate Zucchini bread will make you do a double-take! It’s loaded with garden fresh zucchini, but the chocolate flavor is moist, dense, and sinfully delicious.
This is my favorite time of year because I LOVE zucchini, it is one of my favorite vegetables. I love grilling it, eating zucchini in salads, stir-frying it, and even baking with zucchini.
Because of the garden I planted, I also knew to get a slew of recipes ready because sometimes you get a lot to handle at the same time. A classic option is zucchini bread, of course! And this sinfully delicious double chocolate zucchini bread recipe is a great way to make use of all that zucchini!
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! Even if you don’t like zucchini, this bread is incredible.
Chocolate Zucchini Bread Ingredients
So what makes this Chocolate Zucchini Bread so good?
- It is made with cocoa powder AND chocolate chips. Double the chocolate equals double the fun! I used a natural cocoa powder rather than a dutch processed. Dark cocoa powder works as well.
- The applesauce makes it a little lighter in texture and also a lot lighter in calories. I only substitute half the oil. I find that if you substitute applesauce for oil or butter in a 1:1 ratio (1 cup =1 cup), the texture often suffers in baking.
- The bread is super moist and somewhat dense.
- The zucchini bread is easy to make. You don’t need a mixer either. It can be made with just stirring.
- The cinnamon brings out the richness of the chocolate without tasting like cinnamon. Its like a flavor enhancer.
- This easy chocolate zucchini bread will remind you of your favorite chocolate cake.
- You can also use espresso powder or steeped tea to enhance the chocolate flavor. It will be incredibly rich and explode with chocolatey goodness. Try it out and experiment for fun!
Frequently asked questions:
Nope! the outside layer of the zucchini is very tender and there is no need to peel it. Wash your zucchini thoroughly and chop off the ends before grating or putting in your food processor.
Double chocolate zucchini bread can be stored at room temperature for 1-2 days tightly wrapped with plastic wrap. You can store it wrapped in the refrigerator for up to a week. It can also be made and stored in the freezer for about 6 months. Pre-slice your zucchini loaf and wrap tightly with plastic wrap in an airtight container or freezer safe Ziploc bag.
Yes! If you prefer individual cakes over a loaf, you can absolutely make these in a muffin tin instead! Line your muffin tins with cupcake liners and divide batter evenly, about ⅔ of the way full. They will bake more quickly than the loaf, about 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Insert a toothpick in the center of your muffins till it comes out clean.
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.
More Great Baking Recipes for Summer:
- Zucchini Muffins
- Cinnamon Squash Muffins
- Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake
- Carrot Cake Cupcakes
- Key Lime Pie
- Peanut Butter Brownies
Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup applesauce
- ½ cup oil
- 1 ¼ cup White Sugar
- ¾ cup Brown Sugar
- 2 teaspoon 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 ½ cups All Purpose Flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder I used regular cocoa
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup walnuts optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Grease 2 5×9 bread loaf pans or muffin tins.
- In a mixing bowl, blend oil, applesauce, and eggs together. Add vanilla, sugar, and brown sugar. Mix until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, 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, chocolate chips and nuts.
- 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.
Nutrition
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Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
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!
Lou Lou Girls says
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
Meredith @ The Palette Muse says
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.
Carrie says
Your recipe looks delicious!! Double chocolate…. Yum!
Amanda @ Cookie Named Desire says
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!
Mira says
Love the chocolate and zucchini combination! I often bake zucchini bread, but never tried adding chocolate or cocoa powder. Pinned to try it!
Jen says
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!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
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!