Tired of the same old dinner routine? Craving a healthy and delicious treat that's surprisingly easy to make? Then look no further! These zucchini bars are the perfect solution – a moist, subtly sweet, and secretly healthy dessert that's perfect for any occasion. Whether you're looking for quick dinner ideas, easy recipes for a busy weeknight, or simply want to impress your friends with your homemade cooking skills, this recipe will become a new favorite. Let's dive into this amazing recipe!
Ingredients:
This recipe makes about 16 bars.
For the Zucchini Layer:
- 2 cups grated zucchini (about 2 medium zucchini), squeezed dry
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Crumble Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ¼ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions:
Get started: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. This simple step ensures your bars won't stick and will release easily.
Prepare the zucchini: The key to moist zucchini bars is to thoroughly squeeze out excess moisture from the grated zucchini. Use a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to press out as much liquid as possible. This prevents soggy bars!
Make the zucchini batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Gently fold in the squeezed zucchini.
Prepare the crumble topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, and nuts (if using). Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Assemble and bake: Pour the zucchini batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the batter.
Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and serve: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This allows them to set properly and makes for cleaner cuts.
Tips for the Best Zucchini Bars:
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing can lead to tough bars. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Use fresh zucchini: Fresh zucchini will yield the best results.
- Adjust sweetness to your taste: If you prefer less sweet bars, reduce the amount of sugar by ¼ cup.
- Get creative with add-ins: Try adding chocolate chips, raisins, or chopped apples to the batter for added flavor and texture.
Variations:
- Lemon Zucchini Bars: Add the zest and juice of one lemon to the batter for a bright, citrusy twist.
- Spiced Zucchini Bars: Add a teaspoon of ground nutmeg or ginger to the batter for a warm, comforting flavor.
- Peanut Butter Zucchini Bars: Stir in ½ cup of peanut butter to the batter for a delicious nutty flavor.
Nutritional Information (per bar, approximate):
Calories: Around 200-250 Fat: Around 8-10g Protein: Around 3-4g Carbohydrates: Around 30-35g
Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
These delicious and healthy zucchini bars are a perfect example of easy recipes that deliver big on flavor. They're a great way to sneak in some extra vegetables and are perfect for a quick dessert or snack. Enjoy!