Description
Perfectly moist and packed with chocolatey goodness, these zucchini bars are a delicious way to sneak in some veggies. Simple, versatile, and delightful for every occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups grated zucchini (squeezed to remove excess moisture)
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat flour)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (or vegetable oil)
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Grate the zucchini and place it in a clean kitchen towel. Squeeze out as much moisture as possible to avoid soggy bars. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the melted butter with the brown and granulated sugars until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Fold the grated zucchini into the wet ingredients. Gradually add the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid over-mixing to keep the batter light.
- Stir in the chocolate chips, ensuring they’re evenly distributed.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it out evenly. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bars to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice into squares or rectangles and serve!
Notes
- queeze Out Zucchini Moisture: Removing excess water from the grated zucchini is crucial to prevent the bars from becoming too soggy. Use a clean towel or paper towel to press out as much moisture as possible.
- Don’t Over-Mix the Batter: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until everything is combined. Over-mixing can make the bars dense instead of light and tender.
- Customize the Sweetness and Add-Ins: Adjust the sugar to your taste or dietary needs, and feel free to add nuts, dried fruits, or even a sprinkle of sea salt on top for extra flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min