Need something chocolatey and delicious, but don’t want all the guilt and calories? Zucchini Brownies are loaded with shredded zucchini, chopped walnuts and chocolate chips. They make a great snack or dessert for the whole family. And no one will ever know these brownies have zucchini in them, unless you tell them. It can be our secret!
I haven’t met a kid, or an adult for that matter, who doesn’t like brownies! They are a staple in most homes because they are rich and decadent. Most brownie recipes are relatively easy to make and Zucchini Brownies are no different. They are homemade and loaded with fresh shredded zucchini, which keeps them super moist.
Whether zucchini is growing in your garden or you grabbed some at the farmer’s market, this is the perfect way to use zucchini in a tasty dessert recipe.
More of the Best Brownie Recipes:
Most of the ingredients are ones you probably have in your pantry. Let’s take a look at what’s needed to make these chocolatey treats.
Zucchini Brownies Recipe
What’s needed?
- Zucchini– Two and a half cups of shredded zucchini is needed to make this recipe. That is equivalent to about two small zucchini. Shred them using a food processor with a shredding blade inserted or use a mini-chopper to do the job. A box grater can also be used. No need to squeeze the liquid from the zucchini, as is often called for in recipes with zucchini. The small amount of excess liquid will help to loosen up the thick batter.
- Wet Ingredients– This includes the vegetable oil, egg, milk and vanilla extract. These ingredients are combined with granulated sugar and beaten with an electric hand mixer until well combined.
- Dry Ingredients– Some standard batter ingredients, including all-purpose flour, baking cocoa, baking soda, salt and ground cinnamon get whisked together and added to the wet ingredients to make the brownie batter. The ground cinnamon balances the baking cocoa nicely.
- Add-Ins– Chopped walnuts and semi-sweet chocolate chips are added to the batter, along with the shredded zucchini. The batter will be thick and chunky before baking.
Tips for making the Best Zucchini Brownies:
Here are a few simple suggestions to make better brownies.
- If you are using a metal or non-stick baking pan, it is best to line the pan with parchment paper and then spray with cooking spray to prevent the brownies from sticking to the pan or getting too dark while baking. If you are using a glass baking dish, simply spray it with cooking spray and add the batter.
- Using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment makes it simple to mix the batter. It is a thicker batter and will be difficult to mix by hand. But be careful not to over mix, beat until just combined for a tender brownie. After adding the shredded zucchini, be sure to fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips by hand.
- Before preheating your oven, place the baking rack in the middle position. This allows for even heating and air flow around the baking dish. It also prevents the brownies from getting too dark on the bottom.
How to make Zucchini Brownies?
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray the bottom of a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, oil, egg, vanilla and milk. Beat with an electric mixer until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking cocoa, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat on low speed until incorporated.
- Stir in the shredded zucchini until thoroughly combines. Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish. Batter will be thick and chunky.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes, until toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean. Allow the brownies to cool before cutting. Cut into 15 bars. Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. Recipe makes 15 servings.
While zucchini is a great addition to brownies or quick bread recipes, it is so versatile and can also be incorporated in a variety of savory dishes as well.
More of the Best Zucchini Recipes
- Italian Zucchini Boats
- Garden Zucchini Chowder
- Zucchini Lasagna
- Easy Minestrone Soup
- Fall Harvest Vegetable Soup
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Zucchini Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup baking cocoa
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 1/2 cups zucchini, shredded
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray the bottom of a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, oil, egg, vanilla and milk. Beat with an electric mixer until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking cocoa, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat on low speed until incorporated.
- Stir in the shredded zucchini until thoroughly combines. Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish. Batter will be thick and chunky.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes, until toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean. Allow the brownies to cool before cutting. Cut into 15 bars. Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. Recipe makes 15 servings.
Equipment
- 1 box grater or food processor, for shredding zucchini
- 2 medium mixing bowls
- 1 13×9 inch baking dish
- 1 electric hand mixer
Notes
- If you are using a metal or non-stick baking pan, it is best to line the pan with parchment paper and then spray with cooking spray to prevent the brownies from sticking to the pan or getting too dark while baking. If you are using a glass baking dish, simply spray it with cooking spray and add the batter.
- Using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment makes it simple to mix the batter. It is a thicker batter and will be difficult to mix by hand. But be careful not to over mix, beat until just combined for a tender brownie. After adding the shredded zucchini, be sure to fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips by hand.
- Before preheating your oven, place the baking rack in the middle position. This allows for even heating and air flow around the baking dish. It also prevents the brownies from getting too dark on the bottom.
