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Chocolate Zucchini Bread Recipe

4.6 from 56 reviews

Delight in this moist and fudgy Chocolate Zucchini Bread, a perfect blend of rich cocoa and fresh zucchini that creates a wonderfully tender and flavorful treat. Ideal for chocolate lovers seeking a vegetable-infused dessert, this loaf is packed with dark chocolate chunks for an indulgent texture, baked to perfection for a soft, spreadable crumb that tastes amazing warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 3 cups grated zucchini (from 2 large or 3 small zucchinis)
  • 1 3/4 cups (260g) plain/all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch processed
  • 1.5 tsp baking soda (bi-carbonate of soda)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp vanilla essence
  • 1 1/4 cup (275g) white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 100g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted
  • 300g (10 oz) dark chocolate, coarsely chopped (reserve some larger chunks)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 180°C (350°F), or 160°C fan-forced, to ensure it’s at the right temperature for baking the zucchini bread.
  2. Prepare the Loaf Pan: Grease and line a large loaf pan measuring approximately 28 x 15 x 6.5 cm (11 x 6 x 2.5 inches) with baking paper for easy removal of the bread later.
  3. Prepare the Zucchini: Grab handfuls of grated zucchini and squeeze out excess liquid to prevent sogginess. Place the zucchini in a colander to drain while you prepare the batter.
  4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute all dry components.
  5. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until combined. Add the melted butter and vanilla essence, whisking until fully incorporated.
  6. Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet egg mixture into the bowl with dry ingredients and stir gently with a wooden spoon until just combined. The batter will be thick at this stage.
  7. Add Zucchini and Chocolate: Fold the squeezed zucchini and chopped dark chocolate chunks into the batter. The mixture will be initially very thick but will loosen to a thick, spreadable consistency.
  8. Transfer and Bake: Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 45 minutes, then cover the loaf with foil and bake for a further 20 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean aside from melted chocolate streaks.
  9. Rest the Bread: Let the bread stand in the loaf pan for 15 minutes to set, then remove and cool on a wire rack for an additional 10 minutes before slicing.
  10. Serve Warm and Enjoy: This bread tastes extra amazing when served warm, with melty chocolate bits and an extra fudgy center.

Notes

  • Make sure to squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the zucchini to avoid a soggy bread texture.
  • Dutch processed cocoa powder is recommended for a richer chocolate flavor, but natural cocoa can also be used.
  • Using a mix of chopped and larger chunks of dark chocolate ensures pockets of gooey melted chocolate throughout the bread.
  • This bread keeps well for several days and can be refrigerated or frozen for longer storage.
  • For an extra touch, consider adding a handful of chopped nuts or chocolate chips if desired.

Keywords: Chocolate Zucchini Bread, moist zucchini bread, chocolate loaf, fudgy zucchini bread, easy chocolate bread, zucchini dessert