Description
This Spiced Chocolate Zucchini Bread with Orange and Walnuts is a moist, flavorful, and delightfully spiced quick bread. It’s perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, bringing together the richness of chocolate, the brightness of orange, and the crunch of walnuts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cups grated zucchini (about 1 medium)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and cocoa powder.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined. Stir in the orange zest.
- Add the buttermilk to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the grated zucchini, chopped walnuts, and chocolate chips (if using).
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 50-65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Ensure your zucchini is well-drained after grating to avoid a soggy bread.
- You can substitute pecans for walnuts if preferred.
- For an extra burst of orange flavor, you can add a tablespoon of orange juice to the batter.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Quick Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg