Rich Ina Garten Chocolate Zucchini Bread Recipe to Try Today

Chocolate zucchini bread transforms ordinary vegetables into an irresistible sweet treat that defies traditional baking expectations.

Rich, decadent, and surprisingly nutritious, this remarkable bread blends unexpected ingredients into a harmonious culinary experience.

Moisture permeates every tender crumb, creating a delightful texture that melts in your mouth.

The deep cocoa undertones complement the subtle green vegetable, resulting in a surprisingly complex flavor profile.

Bakers seeking a delectable way to incorporate vegetables into desserts will find this recipe absolutely enchanting.

Weekend baking enthusiasts can craft this simple yet sophisticated treat with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction: Get ready to wow your taste buds!

Why Ina Garten Chocolate Zucchini Bread Surprises Everyone

• Blend Hidden Veggies Deliciously: Zucchini sneaks into this chocolate bread, adding moisture and nutrients without compromising the rich chocolate flavor, making it a clever way to incorporate vegetables into a sweet treat.
• Create Decadent Chocolate Indulgence: The combination of cocoa powder and chopped semisweet chocolate delivers an intense, deep chocolate experience that satisfies serious chocolate cravings while maintaining a tender, moist texture.
• Master Simple Bakery-Style Technique: Ina Garten's recipe uses classic baking methods like creaming butter and sugar, alternating dry and wet ingredients, and carefully folding mix-ins, allowing home bakers to achieve professional-quality results with straightforward steps.
• Enjoy Versatile Comfort Dessert: This bread works perfectly as a breakfast treat, afternoon snack, or elegant dessert, bridging the gap between healthy ingredients and indulgent flavor for any time of day or special occasion.

All You Need for Ina Garten Chocolate Zucchini Bread

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the bread together, with a soft and smooth texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor and deep brown color to the bread.
• Baking Soda: Helps the bread rise and creates a light, tender crumb.
• Fine Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Unsalted Butter, Vegetable Oil: Creates moisture and richness, ensuring a tender and soft bread texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning and moisture retention.
• Large Egg: Provides structure, binding, and helps with leavening.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor and complements the chocolate.
• Buttermilk: Contributes tenderness and subtle tanginess, helping activate the baking soda.

• Zucchini, Semisweet Chocolate: Zucchini adds moisture and subtle vegetable sweetness, while chocolate provides rich, decadent flavor and texture contrast.
• Zucchini Slice: Used as a decorative garnish on top of the bread, adding visual appeal.

How to Make Moist and Rich Zucchini Bread

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Warm the oven to 350°F. Generously coat a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with butter, then dust with flour, tapping out any excess.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Cocoa powder
• Baking soda
• Fine salt

Set the mixture aside for later use.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

Using an electric mixer, blend butter and sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 4 minutes.

Step 4: Incorporate Liquid Elements

Slowly drizzle vegetable oil while continuing to mix. Add egg and vanilla extract, beating until completely blended.

Step 5: Merge Mixtures

Lower mixer speed to low. Gradually add flour mixture and buttermilk in alternating additions, starting and ending with flour. Scrape bowl sides to ensure smooth integration.

Step 6: Fold in Delicious Extras

Gently fold shredded zucchini and chopped semisweet chocolate into the batter, mixing until just combined.

Step 7: Transfer and Decorate

Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Carefully place a thin zucchini slice lengthwise on top for an elegant garnish.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide pan into preheated oven and bake for approximately 55 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean when bread is fully baked.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Allow bread to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy the rich, moist chocolate dish with a hint of fresh zucchini.

Tips to Keep the Chocolate Flavors Bold

• Butter Blending Trick: Soften butter at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to create a smoother, more uniform batter that ensures even distribution of ingredients.
• Cocoa Powder Power: Sifting dry ingredients eliminates pesky lumps and guarantees a silky-smooth chocolate base that looks professionally prepared.
• Moisture Management: Squeeze excess liquid from shredded zucchini using a clean kitchen towel to prevent soggy bread and maintain the perfect texture.
• Mixing Magic: Add dry and wet ingredients in alternating batches to keep the batter light and prevent overmixing, which can make the bread tough.
• Baking Precision: Test bread doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center – it should come out with just a few moist crumbs, indicating a perfectly baked loaf.

Storing Ina Garten Chocolate Zucchini Bread with Care

• Freezer Fortress: Lock in the bread's moisture and flavor by wrapping it first in plastic wrap, then sealing with aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months for a delightful chocolate zucchini treat anytime you crave a sweet pick-me-up. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator to preserve its soft, tender texture.
• Fridge Fresh: Preserve the bread's delectable taste by storing in an airtight container or wrapped snugly in plastic wrap. Refrigeration extends its life to 5 days, keeping every slice as moist and rich as the moment it was baked. Perfect for grab-and-go breakfast or afternoon snack lovers.
• Counter Comfort: Keep the bread at room temperature for quick access to its chocolatey goodness.

Ways to Switch Up Ina Garten Zucchini Bread

• Nutty Chocolate Zucchini Delight: Replace semisweet chocolate with chopped walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture. Add 1/2 cup of toasted nuts directly into the batter for extra richness and depth of flavor.
• Espresso Chocolate Zucchini Boost: Mix 1 tablespoon of instant espresso powder into the dry ingredients to enhance the chocolate's intensity. This variation adds a subtle coffee undertone that complements the rich chocolate notes.
• Gluten-Free Chocolate Zucchini Option: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for better texture and structural integrity of the bread. Use certified gluten-free cocoa powder to maintain the recipe's authenticity.
• Cream Cheese Swirl Chocolate Zucchini Bread: Create a cream cheese mixture by beating 4 ounces softened cream cheese with 2 tablespoons sugar. Swirl this mixture into the batter before baking for a tangy, creamy element that elevates the bread's complexity.

Closing Slice of Ina Garten Zucchini Bread

Sweet chocolate zucchini bread showcases culinary magic from Ina Garten’s kitchen, blending unexpected ingredients into rich, moist perfection.

Chocolate’s deep notes intertwine seamlessly with fresh zucchini, creating complex flavor profiles that surprise and delight.

Garden-fresh produce transforms ordinary baking into an extraordinary experience, revealing subtle nuances with each delectable slice.

Homemade bread becomes more than mere sustenance – it represents comfort, creativity, and connection to seasonal ingredients.

Smart bakers understand how simple techniques can elevate classic recipes from good to remarkable.

Such masterful combinations invite passionate home cooks to explore subtle culinary boundaries.

You’ll want to savor this recipe, share its delightful secrets with friends, click that like button, and spread sweet inspiration across your favorite social platforms.

Ina Garten Chocolate Zucchini Bread Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Rich chocolate zucchini bread from Ina Garten blends garden-fresh zucchini with deep cocoa goodness. Moist, indulgent slices promise a delightful treat that seamlessly combines vegetable nutrition with sweet chocolate charm.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup shredded zucchini (about 8 ounces)
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup sugar

Liquid and Oil Ingredients:

• ¼ cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Dry and Garnish Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon fine salt
• 2 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 ¼-inch-thick lengthwise slice of zucchini, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and meticulously prepare a 9-by-5-inch (23-by-13-centimeter) loaf pan by coating it with butter and dusting with flour, ensuring even coverage and removing excess.
2. Create a dry ingredient foundation by thoroughly whisking together all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and fine salt in a medium mixing bowl until perfectly blended.
3. Utilize an electric mixer to cream unsalted butter and granulated sugar, whipping the mixture until it transforms into a light, airy texture with a pale color, approximately 4 minutes.
4. Gradually incorporate vegetable oil into the butter-sugar mixture, maintaining steady mixing. Introduce the whole egg and pure vanilla extract, blending until the ingredients harmonize completely.
5. Transition the mixer to low speed and methodically integrate the dry ingredient mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Begin and conclude with the flour blend, carefully scraping bowl sides to ensure uniform incorporation.
6. Gently fold freshly shredded zucchini and chopped semisweet chocolate into the batter, using delicate strokes to distribute ingredients evenly without overmixing.
7. Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, artfully placing a thin zucchini slice lengthwise across the top for an elegant visual garnish.
8. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 55 minutes, confirming doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean and free of raw batter.
9. Allow the zucchini chocolate bread to rest inside the pan atop a wire cooling rack, enabling complete cooling before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Moisture Management: Squeeze out excess liquid from shredded zucchini using clean kitchen towels or paper towels to prevent soggy bread and maintain perfect texture.
• Ingredient Temperature Trick: Pull butter and eggs out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, even blending and optimal rising.
• Mixing Method Magic: Gently fold ingredients together without overmixing, which can create tough, dense bread with less tender crumb.
• Baking Precision: Position the oven rack in the center to guarantee even heat distribution and consistent golden-brown coloring across the entire loaf.
• Storage Strategy: Wrap cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer preservation.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 295 kcal
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg