Description
Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread is a rich, moist, and fudgy quick bread made with fresh shredded zucchini, cocoa powder, Greek yogurt, and plenty of semi-sweet chocolate chips. The zucchini adds natural moisture without a noticeable vegetable flavor, while espresso powder enhances the deep chocolate taste. This easy homemade loaf is perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert and freezes well for make-ahead enjoyment.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (41g) unsweetened natural or Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
- 3/4 cup (135g) semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus extra for topping if desired
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup (60ml) avocado oil, olive oil, melted coconut oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil
- 1/3 cup (80g) plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, at room temperature
- 2/3 cup (135g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups (about 185g) freshly shredded zucchini
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or an 8.5×4.5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.
- Wash the zucchini, trim the bottom end, and shred it using the large holes of a box grater. There is no need to peel or blot fresh zucchini.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder until evenly combined.
- Stir the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dry ingredients and set the bowl aside.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk the eggs, oil, Greek yogurt or sour cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently whisk until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Fold in the shredded zucchini with a spatula. The batter will be very thick, which is normal.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle additional chocolate chips over the top if desired.
- Bake for 45 to 55 minutes. Loosely cover the loaf with aluminum foil about halfway through baking if the top begins to darken too quickly.
- Begin checking for doneness around 45 minutes. The bread is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs and no raw batter.
- Remove the loaf from the oven and cool it in the pan on a wire rack for about 1 hour.
- Remove the bread from the pan and transfer it directly to the wire rack. Allow it to cool completely before slicing for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Do not squeeze or blot freshly shredded zucchini because its natural moisture helps keep the bread soft and fudgy.
- If using frozen zucchini, thaw it completely and lightly blot away excess liquid before adding it to the batter.
- The zucchini does not need to be peeled, although peeling is optional if you want to hide all visible green flecks.
- Espresso powder enhances the chocolate flavor without making the bread taste strongly of coffee. It can be omitted or replaced with about 1 teaspoon instant coffee powder.
- Greek yogurt may be replaced with regular plain yogurt or sour cream.
- Avocado, vegetable, canola, olive, melted coconut oil, or melted butter can be used as the fat.
- For a sweeter loaf, the granulated sugar can be increased to 3/4 cup (150g).
- A 9×5-inch loaf pan generally bakes closer to 45 minutes, while a smaller 8.5×4.5-inch pan may require closer to 55 minutes.
- Store the cooled bread tightly covered at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Freeze the completely cooled loaf, tightly wrapped, for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- The recipe can be doubled and divided evenly between two loaf pans.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
- Category: Quick Bread, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 246 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 76.4 mg
- Fat: 11.9 g
- Saturated Fat: approximately 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: approximately 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33.2 g
- Fiber: approximately 2.5 g
- Protein: 5.4 g
- Cholesterol: 37.6 mg