Good Question: Best Zucchini Bread

Dear The Kitchen,

I have recently become addicted to our local coffee shop's zucchini bread and was hoping you had a great recipe for me to use to make it at home!

Thanks!
Brandy

(To All Good Questions)

Brandy,

If you can get your hands on Time Life's "Good Cook" series of cookbooks, circa 70s/early 80s, there is a book called Breads that has wonderful basic bread recipes like zucchini, banana, etc.

We found the book only at Amazon and Dig Modern.

Also, try comparing recipes from websites like Epicurious.com and Allrecipes.com paying close attention to the reader comments. I might try this Spiced Zucchini Walnut Bread from Epicurious, perhaps leaving out the all-spice, or this Zucchini Bread from All Recipes.

Good luck. If you find something that's great, send us a photo and the recipe!

Comments (11)

Any carrot cake recipe is four times as good if made with parsnips instead. Just a heads-up.

posted by orion on 2006-03-10 10:41:35

orion, v. interesting, will have to try it some time.
Brandy and all, this is a very good zucchini muffin recipe; one of my friends says it's his fave!
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/12526

posted by leeds on 2006-03-10 11:03:33

This one here is fabulous but I personally don't include canned pineapple. Elise's recipe site is fantastic in general though- everything I've made has been simple to prepare and turns out delicious.

http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/001330zucchini_bread.php

posted by Juicy on 2006-03-10 12:37:48

I use the banana bread recipe from the old standard "Joy of Cooking". Instead of a cup of banana I put in a cup of shredded zucchini. I also take away the lemon zest and add cinnamon instead. It's delicious (especially if you add walnuts)!

posted by Alexuma on 2006-03-10 14:50:06

PS: and in the fall I use the same recipe again with 1 cup of canned pumkin instead of banana - again, remove the lemon zest and add cinnamon and even nutmeg. YUM!

By the by, I just throw all the ingredients in my bread maker and choose the "dessert bread setting". It's as easy as pie, makes itself, and is a great gift during the holidays for neighbors as well.

posted by Alexuma on 2006-03-10 14:55:26

I MUST say - i have the BEST zuchinni bread recipe... not only does it have zuchinni, it has cinnamon chips, chocolate chips and walnuts. VERY moist. One package of zuchinni from Trader Joe's makes more than 2 batches (4 full loafs)

posted by Diana Gates on 2006-03-10 18:52:34

OH! an the recipe...
http://www.d-made.com/recipes/zucchini_bread.txt

posted by Diana on 2006-03-10 18:53:37

is that true about the parsnips,
or just a cruel internet hoax?

posted by guido on 2006-03-10 19:12:50

here's a parnip souffle recipe:
http://bootsintheoven.typepad.com/boots_in_the_oven/2005/10/is_my_blog_burn.html

posted by leeds on 2006-03-13 15:20:14

Yes guido, that parsnip spice cake was awesome. And why would it be cruel since parsnips have a very neutral sweet flavor?

I swear though despite all the freaking recipes on Epicurious, I have never found anything as incredible as the zucchini bread from Brett's in Chicago. Anyone have that recipe?

posted by Scazza on 2006-03-14 20:32:05

Oh and also, I have a great recipe for the moistest chocolate beet cake (the beets add their moisture and earthy sweetness), and I saw them putting eggplant in cupcakes on Iron Chef America on Sunday. Putting veggies like these in sweets ensures incredible moisture. And it's interesting to have pink pee from eating chocolate cake!

posted by Scazza on 2006-03-14 20:35:36