Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread

So you think you can’t bake and it’s really hard, tedious, not very versatile and just not your jam.  Think again!  I was all about baking cookies this year and I started down that path and baked a few dozen to give to folks.  Then, I came across this gem on Pinterest and the S/O goes to manilaspoon.com and although I only make a tiny variation to the recipe below I certainly tried a couple of other variations after making this one flawlessly.  I split the sugar half white and half brown in the recipe below for particular reason at all so all white sugar will work.

I have a very very healthy zucchini brownie that I typically make but wanted to switch it up and have some real cheats for Christmas (in moderation) this year but faced with a bag of zucchini’s I decided to search for the easiest loaf recipe I could find and success!  To be honest, this is not even that bad of a cheat.  It’s still sans butter or other heavy dairy/creamy products.  I use organic almost everything so don’t feel too bad when you eat it lol.  Did I mention that I did not even have to take out my Kitchen Aid!  This was all by hand and by the third time I had it memorized so well I got hubby to mix while I just dictated to him while I was busy cooking something else.  I don’t know if he will take up baking at this point but he was certainly surprised at how simple this was.

So the first few I made followed exactly below.  One was for my extended/blended  family to add tot their annual baked goods I give them.  I took one to work – my team devoured it and raved all day.  They couldn’t believe that it contained zucchini and of course (I know I did not mention this) it’s SO moist!  I did not squeeze out the moisture from the zucchini by the way.  I did grate it fine side on to a paper towel but that’s about it.

Then I decided to get creative.  I was on the the 3rd or 4th loaf and started putting the ingredients together only to realize I ran out of chocolate chips.  Rookie mistake right?  Make sure you have ALL ingredients before you start folks.  I had some butterscotch chips and while skeptical, I used them but only did about two thirds of sugar.  The ratings were great!  The last version I did I decided to go half grated carrot, half zucchini and instead of the chocolate chips how about some walnuts.  Served this version to my family and another hit in the making.

To summarize – yes, baking can be quite rigid and process driven and seldom can you deviate from a recipe but this one certainly has some options so you can stray from the original.  I like putting my own stamp or add my own little flavor but that’s me.  You do you and enjoy this one!