Classic Zucchini Bread Recipe (Moist & Easy Homemade Bread)

When the garden starts producing zucchini faster than you can use it, this Classic Zucchini Bread Recipe is one of my favorite ways to turn fresh zucchini into a delicious homemade treat. This easy quick bread is moist, tender, lightly sweet, and filled with warm cinnamon flavor.

This recipe has been a family favorite because it is simple to make, uses basic pantry ingredients, and creates a loaf that stays soft for days. Whether you have zucchini from your garden, farmers market zucchini, or a generous neighbor sharing their harvest, this homemade zucchini bread is the perfect recipe to have on hand.

Serve a slice for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even dessert with a little butter spread on top. It is also a wonderful recipe to make ahead and freeze so you can enjoy zucchini bread any time of year.

This Zucchini Bread Recipe is our family’s favorite. There are lots of variations for this bread recipe, but this one wins for our family!! 😊

There are many delicious recipes on our food recipe blog. Here are a few of our favorites to get your search started: Super Moist Cornbread, Cinnamon Vanilla Honey Butter, Vanilla Honey Butter, Banana Blueberry Zucchini Bread, Banana Bread, and Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread.

Why You Will Love This Zucchini Bread Recipe:

• A great way to use extra garden zucchini.
• It is an easy beginner-friendly quick bread.
• Uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
• The zucchini keeps the bread soft and moist.
• Cinnamon adds delicious homemade flavor.
• It freezes beautifully.

We always grow zucchini in our garden. The plants produce more than we can use and share so, I like to shred a bunch with my Salad Shooter and freeze it in freezer bags to use all winter. When using frozen shredded zucchini, make sure it is thawed and drained well. It works great.

If you like smaller pieces of zucchini in your bread, you can shred the zucchini and then put the shredded zucchini back through the Salad Shooter. This will give you smaller pieces.

We love to make this in the summer and fall when our garden starts producing zucchini. It is also a family favorite for Christmas day. It is so moist and delicious!

You can also add chopped pecans and/or raisins, if you like.

Why Are These Ingredients Important?:

Zucchini

Fresh zucchini adds moisture and a tender texture. You do not need to peel zucchini before shredding it. The peel softens during baking and adds beautiful color.

Eggs

Eggs help bind the ingredients together and create a soft, rich texture.

Oil

Oil keeps zucchini bread moist longer than butter-based breads.

Sugar

Sugar adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon gives zucchini bread its classic warm flavor.

Flour

All-purpose flour creates the structure of the bread.

Sometimes when we make this delicious recipe, we will double it and freeze some for later. Freezing zucchini bread works well. It’s a good idea to slice the bread before you freeze it. Then, you can take out and thaw the slices you want-not the whole loaf.

Happy Fall and Happy Baking!! 😊😊

Ingredients Needed For Zucchini Bread:

• 2 2/3 cup white sugar
• 2/3 cup shortening
• 3 cups zucchini shredded
• 2/3 cup water
• 4 large eggs
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp vanilla

Instructions Needed For This Zucchini Bread Recipe:

In a mixing bowl, combine sugar and shortening with an electric mixer.

Add the shredded zucchini and water and mix. (if you are using shredded frozen zucchini, make sure you let it thaw and drain the water out)

Add eggs and combine.

In another bowl, combine dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla. Stir to combine. (I like to fluff my flour with a spoon and then use that spoon to fill my measuring cup so the flour is not so packed in)

Add dry ingredients to the zucchini mixture. Combine.

Pour batter into two greased bread pans and bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes. Allow bread to cool a bit. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Cook’s Notes for Perfect Zucchini Bread:

Do I need to peel zucchini before making zucchini bread?

No! The zucchini peel is soft and adds beautiful flecks of color throughout the bread.

Should zucchini be drained before adding it?

Most zucchini bread recipes do not require squeezing out zucchini. The moisture from zucchini helps create a soft loaf. If your zucchini is extremely watery, lightly squeeze out some excess liquid.

Do I need to use fresh zucchini?

Fresh zucchini works best, but frozen zucchini can also be used if thawed and drained well.

How do I prevent zucchini bread from becoming soggy?

Measure ingredients carefully, avoid adding too much zucchini, and bake until the center is completely cooked. Use the toothpick test, when the toothpick comes out nearly clean-just a few moist crumbs, it’s done.

Cook’s Note For Muffins:

This recipe can be made into muffins as well. Just spray your muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray and fill them 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes. Easy and they freeze so well. The bread freezes well, too. This is a great make ahead recipe that we use for breakfast when we are in a rush. Just bake the muffins or bread-slice the bread and freeze in freezer bags to use as needed.

Another great idea that helps us a lot, we shred and freeze the zucchini we grow. Store it in freezer bags measured to the amount we need for certain recipes to use at a later time. Just remember to thaw the shredded zucchini and drain the excess water.

If you are wanting to cut the sugar, go ahead and try it. I made these muffins with just the 2 cups of sugar and they were still so delicious!

Variations-Ways to Change Up Classic Zucchini Bread

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

Add 1 cup chocolate chips to the batter.

Nutty Zucchini Bread

Add chopped walnuts or pecans.

Lemon Zucchini Bread

Add lemon zest and a little lemon juice for a bright flavor.

Cinnamon Sugar Zucchini Bread

Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the top before baking.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen zucchini in zucchini bread?

Yes, frozen zucchini works in zucchini bread. Thaw the zucchini completely and drain excess liquid before adding it to the batter. Frozen zucchini may release more water than fresh zucchini, so removing extra moisture helps prevent soggy bread.

Should zucchini be peeled before making zucchini bread?

No, zucchini does not need to be peeled before making zucchini bread. The peel becomes tender during baking and adds pretty green flecks throughout the loaf.

Why is my zucchini bread soggy?

Zucchini bread can become soggy if there is too much moisture from the zucchini, too much zucchini added, or if the bread is removed from the oven before it is fully baked. Make sure a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (just a few crumbs) before removing it from the oven.

Can I make this recipe into muffins?

Yes! This zucchini bread batter can easily be baked as muffins. Fill lined muffin cups about ⅔ full and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Muffins will usually take less time than a loaf, so begin checking around 18–22 minutes.

Can I freeze zucchini bread?

Yes! Zucchini bread freezes very well. Allow the loaf to cool completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil or in a freezer bag-or do both for extra protection from freezing. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

How do I keep zucchini bread moist?

Store zucchini bread tightly wrapped or in an airtight container at room temperature. Avoid storing it uncovered because it will dry out. You can also refrigerate it for longer storage, although refrigeration may slightly change the texture.

How to Store Zucchini Bread

Room temperature:

• Store tightly covered for 2–3 days.

Refrigerator:

• Store up to 5 days.

Freezer:

• Freeze up to 3 months.

To freeze individual slices:

• Wrap each slice separately.
• Place slices in a freezer bag.
• Grab a slice whenever you need a quick snack.

Other Zucchini Recipes You Will Love:❤️

Savory Zucchini Recipes

Sautéed Zucchini-cook this until desired tenderness for a yummy side dish.

Zucchini Relish-a favorite for hot dogs and brats.

One Pan Zucchini Skillet-a complete meal.

Sweet Zucchini Recipes

Banana Blueberry Zucchini Bread-a simple and delicious quick bread recipe.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake-a family favorite homemade cake.

Lemon Zucchini Bread-The perfect lemony twist on zucchini bread.

Click Here For All Of Our Recipes Using Zucchini! 😊

Other Bread Recipes You Will Want To Try: 💕

Pumpkin Bread-a fall family favorite.

Pina Colada Banana Bread-If you like pineapple and coconut, try this recipe!

Banana Bread-The Classic!

Cranberry Orange Bread-A Christmas favorite.

Jalapeno Corn Bread-Perfect for serving with CHILI!

Love to hear from you!

We would love to hear from you about: what you liked about this recipe, changes you made and if they were good or not so good, other ideas to go along with this recipe, and other recipe ideas you would like to see from us-Sweeter With Sugar. We love to see your comments and always try our best to make delicious recipes. We know, even in our own family, peoples tastes differ widely. We hope you find this recipe delicious and are excited to try some more of our recipes.

We can’t claim to please all people all the time, but we wish we could. It is definitely difficult feeding many people-cutting out things like onion, or dairy for those lactose intolerant, wheat for some people cutting out wheat or soy. Meals can be trying. Who knew when I became an adult, it would be my job for the rest of my life to plan for all of the meals, shop for all of the meals, prep and cook all the meals, and make things that fit into everyones wants. We are nearing 1,000 recipes on this blog and have worked hard to get you recipes in hopes that we make your meal planning, party planning etc more enjoyable, easier and delicious!

Disclaimer:

All of the thoughts and opinions here, on our food recipe blog, are our own. The affiliate links (if you click on one or more) here pay us a tiny commission that will not cost you anything. The commissions help us run this web-site. We appreciate your support! Thank you so much!

We all want to thank you for visiting and trying recipes from our family recipe blog. Your support is very much appreciated. All of us are hoping that all of you are staying healthy, strong and happy. Have a fantastic day and an even better week. Have fun cooking and remember to get the kids involved where it is safe to do so. They may love it and it is a great activity for quality family time. Family and friends are the best!