Transform your garden bounty and seasonal apples into a truly delightful treat with this incredible Apple Zucchini Bread! This moist, tender, and perfectly spiced quick bread is packed with grated zucchini and finely diced apples, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. It’s an easy-to-bake loaf that fills your home with the most inviting aromas, making it perfect for breakfast, a comforting snack, or a thoughtful homemade gift.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Apple Zucchini Bread is a firm favorite in my autumn baking, and I simply adore it for so many reasons! What I love most is how it perfectly balances the sweetness of apples with the subtle, moisture-contributing goodness of shredded zucchini. The combination of both granulated and brown sugars, along with the oil, ensures an exceptionally moist and tender crumb, while the warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg infuse every slice with cozy, comforting flavor. It’s a fantastic way to use up fresh produce, easy to whip up, and the aroma alone is enough to make you fall in love. It truly tastes like a warm hug!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this moist and delicious Apple Zucchini Bread:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup canola oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 heaping cups shredded zucchini (about 2 medium zucchini)
- 1 ½ cups finely diced apple (about 1-2 medium apples)
Swaps and Notes
- Zucchini: Use medium-sized zucchini. No need to peel, but do shred it well. Avoid squeezing out liquid from the zucchini, as its moisture contributes to the bread’s tenderness.
- Apples: Use firm, crisp apples that hold their shape well, such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Granny Smith. Finely dicing them ensures they blend well into the batter.
- Oil: Canola oil or other neutral vegetable oils (like grapeseed) work best for keeping the bread moist without imparting flavor.
- Sugars: The combination of granulated and brown sugar provides depth of flavor and contributes to moistness.
- Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg are classic pairings with apple and zucchini. Feel free to add a pinch of ground ginger or allspice for extra warmth.
- Optional Add-ins: Stir in 1 cup of chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) with the zucchini and apple for added crunch, or 1/2 cup of raisins or dried cranberries for extra chewiness.
Preparation
Let’s get this delicious Apple Zucchini Bread baking!
- Preheat Oven & Prep Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease two standard loaf pans (8.5×4.5-inch or 9×5-inch). You can also line them with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup packed brown sugar, 4 large eggs, ½ cup canola oil, and 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract. Whisk the mixture vigorously until it becomes light, airy, and well combined, about 2-3 minutes.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: In a separate smaller bowl, sift together the 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 3 teaspoons cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon nutmeg. Whisk to ensure they are thoroughly combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet ingredients mixture, mixing with a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few small lumps are okay.
- Add Zucchini and Apple: Gently fold in the 2 heaping cups shredded zucchini and 1 ½ cups finely diced apple until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. Avoid overmixing once these are added.
- Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans. Place the loaf pans in the preheated oven. Bake for 35 minutes. At this point, carefully remove the loaves from the oven and loosely cover the tops with aluminum foil (this prevents the tops from browning too much before the inside is fully cooked). Return the loaves to the oven and continue baking for another 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a loaf comes out clean (or with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter). Total baking time will be 55-60 minutes.
- Cool: Once done, remove the loaves from the oven and let them cool in their pans for about 10 minutes on a wire rack. Then, carefully transfer the loaves directly to the wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Enjoy this delicious and moist Apple Zucchini Bread!
Tips for Success
- Don’t Squeeze Zucchini: Unlike some recipes, do not squeeze out the moisture from the shredded zucchini. This moisture is crucial for the bread’s incredible tenderness.
- Very Ripe Apples (Optional): While any apple works, slightly softer, sweeter apples can blend more seamlessly.
- Avoid Overmixing: Overmixing develops gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tough, dry bread. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Cover with Foil: The foil tent is essential for preventing the top of the bread from burning while the inside finishes baking, especially with the sugars in this recipe.
- Cool Completely: Although tempting, slicing quick bread while still warm can make it crumble or feel gummy. Let it cool fully for the best texture.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This Apple Zucchini Bread is a delightful treat on its own, perfect for:
- Breakfast or Brunch: Enjoy a slice with your morning coffee or tea.
- Afternoon Snack: A comforting and satisfying pick-me-up.
- Light Dessert: Serve plain or with a dollop of whipped cream.
- Toasted: Slice and toast lightly, then spread with butter or cream cheese.
- Gift Idea: Wrap a cooled loaf in festive cellophane and a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade present.
- For other delightful baked goods that are perfect for breakfast or dessert, consider our This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Is My Favorite Way To Use Up Overripe Bananas or These Easy Pumpkin Spice Muffins Are My Favorite Fall Treat To Bake On Repeat.
Storage and Leftover Tips
This bread stays wonderfully moist for several days, making it great for enjoying throughout the week!
- Room Temperature: Store the cooled bread, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container, at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. The moisture from the zucchini and apples helps keep it fresh.
- Refrigeration: For longer storage, or in warm climates, you can refrigerate the bread, tightly wrapped, for up to a week.
- Freezing: This Apple Zucchini Bread freezes beautifully. Once completely cooled, wrap the entire loaf or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm slices in the microwave or oven.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the moist, comforting, and sweet nature of this quick bread, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic, fuss-free recipes that bring joy to your kitchen:
- For another beloved quick bread that uses fruit, try our This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Is My Favorite Way To Use Up Overripe Bananas.
- If you’re a fan of big, comforting desserts that feed a crowd, our This Big Family Banana Pudding Is My Favorite Classic Dessert To Feed A Crowd is a must-try.
- For easy and delightful seasonal muffins, check out These Easy Pumpkin Spice Muffins Are My Favorite Fall Treat To Bake On Repeat.
- And for another festive and fun baking project, you’ll love The Easter Cookies Everyone Will Be Talking About And Asking The Recipe For.
- Finally, for a delightful fall treat in cookie form, try These Caramel Apple Pie Cookies Are My Favorite Fall Treat In Bite-Sized Form.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Zucchini Bread recipe is a wonderful way to enjoy the bounty of the season, creating a moist, perfectly spiced, and utterly comforting loaf. It’s perfect for using up garden zucchini and autumn apples, resulting in a delicious treat that everyone will adore.
Give this recipe a try and let the delicious aromas of cinnamon, apple, and zucchini fill your home! What’s your favorite way to incorporate vegetables into sweet baked goods? Share your ideas and feedback in the comments below! And for more amazing, easy-to-follow recipes that bring joy to your kitchen, be sure to visit Chefmaniac.com. Happy baking!
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