Rich Double Dark Chocolate Zucchini Bread Recipe (Print Version)

Bake a moist Double Dark Chocolate Zucchini Bread! This easy recipe hides veggies, delivers intense cocoa flavor, and brings comfort.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 50 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 70 minutes
Servings: 10 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Wet Ingredients

01 - 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
02 - 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup (110g) packed light brown sugar
04 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
06 - 1 1/2 cups (about 1 medium) grated zucchini (not squeezed)

→ Dry Ingredients

07 - 1 3/4 cups (210g) all-purpose flour
08 - 1/2 cup (45g) unsweetened cocoa powder, Dutch-processed preferred
09 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Flavor Boosters

11 - 1 cup (170g) dark chocolate chips
12 - 1/2 cup (85g) semi-sweet chocolate chips (or more dark)

→ Optional Extras

13 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
14 - 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get that oven preheating to 350°F (175°C), and grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Trust me, you don't want this glorious bread sticking! Then, grate your zucchini. Remember, no squeezing! In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until it's light and well combined. This is where the magic starts to happen, creating that lovely, moist base. I sometimes get a bit too enthusiastic with the whisking, but it usually works out.
02 - In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps of cocoa powder; nobody wants a dry patch of flavorless flour in their delicious bread! This step ensures all the leavening and flavor are evenly distributed. I've definitely skipped this step before and ended up with weird pockets of baking soda, so don't be like past me.
03 - Now, pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. With a spatula or wooden spoon, mix just until combined. This is critical: don't overmix! Overmixing develops the gluten too much, and we want a tender, not tough, zucchini bread. You might see a few streaks of flour, and that's totally fine, honestly. It will all come together in the next step, I promise.
04 - This is the fun part! Add your grated zucchini and both kinds of dark chocolate chips to the batter. Fold them in gently until they're evenly distributed throughout the mixture. You'll see the gorgeous green flecks of zucchini disappear into the rich brown batter, and those chocolate chips will be calling your name. I always sneak a few chocolate chips at this stage, it's a baker's prerogative, right?
05 - Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Pop it into the preheated oven and bake for about 50-60 minutes. The exact time can vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it. You'll know it's ready when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, but no wet batter. I once pulled it out too early, and the middle was a bit gooey, so learn from my mistake!
06 - Once baked, remove the Double Dark Chocolate Zucchini Bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. This helps it set up and makes it easier to remove. Then, carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Or, if you're like me, cut a warm slice after just five minutes because the smell is just too irresistible! The warm chocolate is divine, honestly. It’s a moment of pure bliss.

# Notes:

01 - Don't squeeze the grated zucchini; its moisture is key for a super tender bread.
02 - Wrapped well, this bread keeps beautifully at room temperature for 3-4 days.
03 - I tried adding a teaspoon of instant espresso powder once, and it deepened the chocolate flavor wonderfully.
04 - This bread is extra special served warm with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - 9x5-inch loaf pan
02 - large mixing bowls
03 - whisk
04 - spatula
05 - grater
06 - wire rack

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350
Total Fat: 18g
Total Carbohydrate: 45g
Protein: 5g

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