Description
Soft, chewy zucchini cookie bars filled with semisweet chocolate chips, warm cinnamon, and a hidden vegetable twist. They make an easy dessert, lunchbox treat, or after-school snack.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups finely shredded zucchini, squeezed very dry
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional
- Flaky salt for topping, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
- Stir the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large bowl until smooth.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, then whisk until fully combined.
- Fold in the finely shredded and thoroughly squeezed zucchini.
- Add the dry ingredients and stir only until no dry streaks remain.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and optional chopped nuts.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Top with extra chocolate chips and flaky salt when desired.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool completely before lifting from the pan and cutting into 16 bars.
Notes
- Squeeze the zucchini very well to prevent wet or gummy bars.
- For an eggless version, replace the egg with 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce.
- For a dairy-free version, use melted coconut oil or plant-based baking butter and dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Chill the cooled bars before slicing for cleaner edges.
- Store at room temperature for 2 days, refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 100
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 23
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 20