It’s a tale as old as time. Every summer, we have an over abundance of zucchini. Actually, except for last summer when my husband planted TWO plants. As though he hates me. I told him, this year, I wanted so much zucchini that I had to get really creative with inserting zucchini into every meal.
My dream came true.
We’ve had zoodles, zucchini enchiladas, zucchini fries, roasted zucchini, and zucchini bread galore. But…my friends…this is the spiced chocolate zucchini bread you’ve been waiting for. If you want to eat your feelings, but still feel like it’s almost healthy because – hey – vegetables, then this is a great place to start.
It has zucchini, yummy spices, chocolate, all baked into two decadent loaves to slice and devour. Try not to eat the entire loaf in one sitting, but, I wont judge. This is a no-judgment-zucchini bread eating zone.
Spiced Chocolate Zucchini Bread
This delicious zucchini bread is packed with ginger, cardamon, cloves, cinnamon, and chocolate goodness
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
- 1/2 cup olive oil (can replace with vegetable oil or melted coconut oil)
- 1.5 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1.5 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground clove
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 cups packed shredded zucchini
- 1-2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F.
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Mix all of the wet ingredients together (eggs, butter, oil) in a large bowl and then add the brown sugar. Once combined, add the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
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Stir in the zucchini until just combined. Add the chocolate chips.
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Pour into 2 prepared loaf pans (either greased and floured or just sprayed with nonstick cooking spray). Spread the batter smooth. Bake in the oven for 50-60 minutes (or until toothpick comes out clean. Come on, you know the drill)
I made an earlier version of this spiced chocolate zucchini bread, trying to be more chai-spice based. But the allspice totally overpowered. And the ginger was too much of a hint. I upped the cinnamon, added fresh ginger along with the powdered ginger, and lessened the allspice. This version of my spiced chocolate zucchini bread ended up PERFECT.
I almost put into the recipe that the chocolate chips were optional, but, you know what? They aren’t. Chocolate chips are never optional, people. But, especially in this cake, they play off the spices too well to omit. The only reason I’ll allow for even considering skipping the chocolate chips is because you don’t want to go to the store to buy some. But still, don’t omit the chocolate chips. Also, WHO lives without chocolate chips PERPETUALLY in their cupboard!? Not this family.
If you make this, let me know what you think!! Happy eating!!
This sounds yummy, I might try and make a gluten free version!