Spiced Zucchini Walnut Bread

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 1 hour 10 min
🍽 Serves: 10
★★★★★
1 Review

If you're looking for a cozy treat to enjoy with your afternoon tea or a delightful homemade gift, this Spiced Zucchini Walnut Bread is your answer. It's a flavorful fusion of warm spices and the nutty goodness of walnuts, all wrapped up in a moist zucchini-based loaf.

Ingredients for Spiced Zucchini Walnut Bread

All-purpose flour forms the base of our bread, providing structure. Granulated sugar and brown sugar work together to sweeten the bread and add a hint of molasses flavor from the brown sugar. Baking powder and baking soda are our leavening agents, helping the bread rise beautifully. Salt enhances all the flavors, while cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves add warmth and depth. Unsalted butter brings richness and moisture, while eggs contribute to the structure and binding. Vanilla extract provides a lovely aromatic backdrop. The star, grated zucchini, keeps the bread moist without making it soggy. Finally, chopped walnuts add a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor.

Tips & Tricks

  • Pat the grated zucchini dry with a paper towel if it's too wet to prevent a soggy loaf.
  • Use a toothpick to check for doneness. It should come out mostly clean, with just a few crumbs.
  • For a more pronounced nut flavor, toast the walnuts lightly before folding them into the batter.

Serving Suggestions

This bread shines as a breakfast treat or an afternoon snack. Try serving it warm with a pat of butter for extra richness. It pairs beautifully with a cup of chai tea or a glass of cold milk. For a special brunch, serve alongside a fruit salad or yogurt parfait.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose?
Yes, but it will make the bread denser. Consider using half whole wheat and half all-purpose for a balance.
How should I store the bread?
Wrap it in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze it.
Can I add chocolate chips?
Absolutely! A handful of chocolate chips would add a lovely sweet touch.

Spiced Zucchini Walnut Bread Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). You'll want a warm, ready oven as soon as your batter is mixed. Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan thoroughly so your bread releases easily after baking.

In a large bowl, combine all your dry ingredients: flour, both sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and those wonderful spices — cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Give it a good stir to ensure everything is well mixed. You don't want pockets of baking soda or clumps of spice.

In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Make sure the butter isn't too hot, or you might end up with scrambled eggs. Mix until the ingredients are well combined and smooth.

Now, pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until they're just combined. Be careful not to overmix here; we want a tender crumb, not a tough one.

Fold in the grated zucchini and chopped walnuts gently. Make sure both are distributed evenly throughout the batter for consistent flavor and texture in every slice.

Transfer the batter to your prepared loaf pan, smoothing out the top with a spatula. Bake for 60-70 minutes. It's done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This helps it firm up a bit. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely — if you can wait that long!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Perfectly moist texture thanks to the grated zucchini.
  • Rich, nutty flavor with a delightful crunch from the walnuts.
  • Warm, aromatic spices make your kitchen smell heavenly.
  • Simple to make with ingredients you probably already have.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups grated zucchini
1 cup chopped walnuts

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Fold in the grated zucchini and chopped walnuts until evenly distributed.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
7. Bake for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

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