Description
Deliciously moist and flavorful Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars that combine the sweetness of chocolate chips with the subtle earthiness of zucchini. These bars are a perfect dessert or snack option, offering a delightful cinnamon and nutmeg spice blend with a soft, tender crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups finely grated zucchini, squeezed of excess moisture
Add-ins
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until evenly combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture, mixing well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Incorporate Zucchini: Stir in the finely grated and moisture-squeezed zucchini into the wet mixture until evenly distributed.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the batter is combined — avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the semisweet chocolate chips into the batter to spread them evenly without breaking them.
- Bake the Bars: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch baking pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating they are fully cooked.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 16 bars for serving. This helps them set and maintains their shape.
Notes
- For extra texture and flavor, consider adding 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.
- You can substitute whole wheat flour for half of the all-purpose flour for a nuttier and healthier version.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to keep them fresh.
