Description
This easy zucchini bread with yellow squash is a moist, tender homemade quick bread made with fresh summer squash, warm cinnamon, and simple pantry ingredients. The combination of zucchini and yellow squash creates a soft texture, mild sweetness, and delicious flavor perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini: adds moisture and classic zucchini bread flavor
- 1 cup shredded yellow squash: provides extra moisture, mild sweetness, and color
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: creates the structure of the loaf
- 1 cup granulated sugar: adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb
- 2 large eggs: bind ingredients together and support the rise
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil: keeps the bread moist and soft
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: enhances the overall flavor
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: helps the bread rise
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: adds additional lightness to the texture
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: provides warm spice flavor
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: balances sweetness and enhances flavor
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): adds crunch and richness
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional): adds extra sweetness and indulgent flavor
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Wash and grate the zucchini and yellow squash using the large holes of a box grater. Lightly squeeze out excess moisture while keeping enough liquid to maintain a moist loaf.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add the shredded zucchini and yellow squash to the wet mixture and stir until evenly combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Fold in chopped nuts or chocolate chips if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the bread in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter because it can make the bread dense.
- Lightly squeezing the shredded squash helps prevent an overly wet loaf.
- The bread can be customized with nuts, chocolate chips, raisins, or extra spices.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for several days.
- Freeze individual slices or the whole loaf for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Bread, Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 37mg