It's that time of year again when zucchinis are in abundance, and everyone is looking for ways to use them up, share them, or cook with them. So, I thought I’d share my zucchini brownie recipe with you—an easy and delicious way to make the most of all those zucchinis!
Here's a delicious chocolate zucchini brownie recipe that combines the richness of chocolate with the moisture of zucchini. It's a great way to sneak some veggies into a sweet treat!
Ingredients:
- For the Brownies:
- 1 ½ cups grated zucchini (about 2 medium zucchinis)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- For the Frosting (Optional):
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Zucchini: Grate the zucchini using a box grater or food processor. Place the grated zucchini on a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess moisture. Set aside.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil), and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.
4. Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. The batter will be thick.
5. Incorporate Zucchini and Chocolate Chips: Fold in the grated zucchini and chocolate chips until evenly distributed in the batter.
6. Bake the Brownies: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Be careful not to overbake.
7. Prepare the Frosting (Optional): While the brownies are baking, make the frosting. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, melted butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more milk if necessary.
8. Frost and Serve: Once the brownies have cooled slightly, spread the frosting over the top (if using). Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting them into squares.
Tips:
- Make it Healthier: You can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition.
- Storage: Store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Enjoy your chocolate zucchini brownies! They're moist, fudgy, and a great way to enjoy some veggies in a dessert.