This Zucchini Orange Bread is a delightful treat bursting with the fresh flavors of summer. The tender loaf is subtly sweet, with moist zucchini and bright citrus notes in every bite. Enjoy a slice for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert.
This easy-to-make bread is the perfect way to use up your garden’s zucchini bounty and celebrate the season.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: A lovely balance of sweetness and subtle spice, highlighted by the fresh flavor of zucchini and a hint of orange.
- Texture: Wonderfully moist and tender, with a soft crumb that melts in your mouth.
- Total Time: About 1 hour and 15 minutes, with about 15 minutes of active preparation.
- Difficulty: Beginner-friendly; this recipe is straightforward and easy to follow.
What You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple ingredients, bringing together the natural sweetness of zucchini with the bright citrus notes of orange. You’ll need pantry staples like flour, sugar, and baking powder, along with fresh zucchini and a juicy orange.
Ingredient Notes
- Flour – All-purpose flour is perfect for this recipe. Measure it correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off.
- Zucchini – Fresh, grated zucchini adds moisture and a subtle sweetness that complements the citrus and spices beautifully. Be sure to pack the zucchini when measuring.
- Orange Zest – Freshly grated orange zest gives the bread its lovely fragrance and vibrant citrus flavor.
- Nuts – Walnuts or pecans are optional, but they add a delightful crunch and texture to each bite.
Add-ins and Substitutions
Want to customize this bread? Here are a few ideas:
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice for a warmer flavor profile.
- Berry delight: Fold in 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries for added sweetness and color.
- Chocolate chips: Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the batter for a rich, decadent treat.
How to Make Zucchini Orange Bread
This recipe is simple to follow; the result is a flavorful bread. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, oil, eggs, orange zest, and vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Add Zucchini: Gently fold in the grated zucchini. If using, fold in the nuts.
- Transfer to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake: Bake for 55–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.Pro Tip: Don’t overmix the batter! Overmixing can develop the gluten and result in a tougher bread. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Recipe Tips
Here are some tips to help you bake the perfect Zucchini Orange Bread:
- Doneness Check: Start checking for doneness around 55 minutes, and adjust the baking time as needed. Every oven is different.
- Cooling Time: Letting the bread cool in the pan for a few minutes helps it set before transferring it to a wire rack.
- Storage: Store the cooled bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Grate the Zucchini: Use a box grater to quickly and easily shred the zucchini.
- Don’t skip the loaf pan prep: The flour helps prevent the bread from sticking to the pan.
FAQs
Here are some common questions about this recipe:
- Can I use a different type of oil? Yes, you can use other neutral-flavored oils, like canola or sunflower oil.
- Can I freeze zucchini orange bread? Yes, you can. Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil, and freeze for up to 2–3 months.
- Can I make muffins instead of a loaf? Yes, you can. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full and bake for about 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Serving Suggestions
This Zucchini Orange Bread is delicious on its own, but here are some ideas to complement it:
- Butter or Cream Cheese: A simple spread of butter or cream cheese adds richness.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: Drizzle a little honey or maple syrup over your slice for added sweetness.
- Tea or Coffee: Enjoy a slice with your favorite hot beverage for a perfect breakfast or snack.
- Whipped cream: For a special treat, serve it with a dollop of fresh whipped cream and a sprinkle of orange zest.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can prepare the batter for this bread a day in advance and store it, covered, in the refrigerator. Just be sure to add the baking soda near the end before baking. The baked bread will keep well at room temperature for several days.
Print
Zucchini Orange Bread
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
Description
This Zucchini Orange Bread is a delightful treat bursting with the fresh flavors of summer. The tender loaf is subtly sweet, with moist zucchini and bright citrus notes in every bite. Enjoy a slice for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert.
Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon orange zest
2 large eggs room temperature
½ cup fresh orange juice
½ cup canola or vegetable oil
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups grated zucchini
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
½ teaspoon cardamom
½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
1. In a bowl, mix 1 cup sugar and 1 tbsp orange zest until fragrant.
2. Preheat oven to 350F. Prepare a loaf pan with non-stick spray and parchment paper.
3. Add 2 eggs, cup orange juice, cup oil, and vanilla extract to the zesty sugar. Whisk.
4. Fold in the grated zucchini.
5. Gently add 2 cups flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, tsp cardamom, and tsp salt. Mix gently, then fully combine with wet ingredients.
6. Pour into the prepared pan and bake at 350F for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
Start checking for doneness around 55 minutes, and adjust the baking time as needed. Every oven is different.
Letting the bread cool in the pan for a few minutes helps it set before transferring it to a wire rack.
Store the cooled bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Use a box grater to quickly and easily shred the zucchini.
Don’t skip the loaf pan prep: The flour helps prevent the bread from sticking to the pan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-60 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: American
