Are you looking for a simple yet incredibly delicious way to use up that abundance of zucchini from your garden? Look no further! This recipe for zucchini bread, made conveniently in your bread machine, is the perfect solution. It's a fantastic healthy meal addition, a delightful treat, and a quick dinner option when paired with a soup or salad. Get ready to experience the ease of homemade cooking with this easy recipe that delivers unbelievably moist and flavorful results every time.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups grated zucchini (about 2 medium zucchini)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ½ cup raisins or chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions:
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Prepare Your Bread Machine: Make sure your bread machine is clean and ready to go. Grease the pan lightly, or use a baking pan liner for easier cleanup.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
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Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
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Add Zucchini and Extras: Gently fold the grated zucchini into the wet ingredients. Stir in your optional nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips.
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Add to Bread Machine: Add the dry ingredients to the bread machine pan, followed by the wet ingredients. Ensure everything is evenly distributed.
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Select the Setting: Choose the “sweet bread” or “dough” setting on your bread machine. Adjust the crust color setting to your preference (light, medium, or dark).
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Start the Machine: Let the machine do its magic! The baking time will vary depending on your bread machine model, but it usually takes around 3-3.5 hours.
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Cool and Serve: Once the baking cycle is complete, carefully remove the loaf from the bread machine pan. Let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Tips for the Best Zucchini Bread:
- Don’t overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to a tough loaf. Gently fold the ingredients together until just combined.
- Fresh is best: Using fresh zucchini will result in the moistest bread.
- Grate finely: Finely grated zucchini will be less noticeable in the final product and prevent the bread from being watery.
- Adjust sweetness: Adjust the amount of sugar to your preference. You can reduce the sugar for a less sweet loaf.
- Add different spices: Experiment with other spices like ginger or cardamom for unique flavor combinations.
Variations:
- Lemon Zucchini Bread: Add the zest and juice of one lemon to the batter.
- Spiced Zucchini Bread: Increase the amount of cinnamon and add a pinch of cloves and allspice.
- Cream Cheese Swirl: Spread a layer of cream cheese frosting in the middle of the loaf before baking.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 250-300
- Fat: 10-12g
- Protein: 4-5g
- Carbohydrates: 35-40g
This delicious and easy zucchini bread is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful afternoon snack. It’s a simple recipe that consistently delivers amazing results, making it a staple in our kitchen. Enjoy!