This chocolate zucchini bread is deeply chocolatey, tender, and packed with dark chocolate chips, with grated zucchini keeping every slice incredibly moist. It is an easy, no-mixer bake that works for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Why You’ll Love It
Deep chocolate flavor — cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips make every slice rich and chocolatey.
Incredibly moist — finely grated zucchini keeps the loaf soft without making it taste vegetal.
No mixer required — simple mixing and minimal fuss make this an easy baking project.
Stays tender for days — unlike some quick breads, this one keeps its moisture well after cooling.
Uses plenty of zucchini — a great way to use up extra zucchini without making another tray of roasted vegetables.
Ingredient Notes
Use a firm, fresh zucchini. Nothing squishy or overgrown with a tough, seedy middle if you can help it. The smaller holes on a box grater are what you want here, because finely grated zucchini disappears into the batter much better. And no, you do not need to drain it. I know that goes against every instinct some of us have after years of squeezing water out of vegetables, but that moisture is part of what makes the bread so good. Try our Oven-Baked 4-Ingredient Beef Stuffed Zucchini next.
If your zucchini is exceptionally wet—like it has been sitting in the crisper drawer for too long and you are afraid to ask questions—you can give it the gentlest squeeze in a clean kitchen towel. Not a full wringing-out situation. Don’t get carried away.
For cocoa powder, I use plain unsweetened cocoa powder, whatever good regular brand is on sale. I’m not snobby about it. For the chocolate chips, dark chocolate gives the loaf a richer flavor, but semi-sweet will work if that is what you have. Milk chocolate works too, though it makes the whole thing sweeter. If you like this, you’ll love our Zucchini Tomato Pie.
Sour cream makes the crumb lovely and soft. Plain Greek yogurt can stand in for it if needed. I have done that when I was sure there was sour cream in the refrigerator—because there is always sour cream in the refrigerator, except when you need it.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups finely grated zucchini, using the small side of a box grater
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
