I believe that my sweet husband was a little "less" than enthusiastic when I told him that I was going to make some zucchini bread with the beautiful golden zucchini that we bought last night. He's really never had a chance to try it, and you know what they say, "don't knock it 'til you try it"! And folks...he's now a believer!
I've had a couple of folks ask me for my recipe, so here it is. I'll be the first to tell you, it's not the conventional recipe, but just try it. There are a couple of special ingredients in it that really put this recipe over the top. First, I use demerara sugar, instead of regular white sugar. The demerara gives it the most beautiful caramel color. I use Florida Crystals Demerara Sugar, but there are plenty of others out there. Just use what you can find.
And secondly, I don't use vegetable oil, which is what is typically used. Instead, I use (heart smart) extra light olive oil. Now I know what you are thinking...olive oil? In a sweet bread? Gentle reader, don't you worry....I know that olive oil is typically used in savory dishes, but by using extra light, it will not compromise the sweet flavor profile AT ALL! Your finished product will taste NOTHING like olives and it will have an incredibly tender texture....and even better, olive oil is SO good for you.
I hope that you will try it....don't let it "bug you" that you're using zucchini in a sweet bread. The zucchini is used simply for the moisture....and if you have little short people in your house, they'll never know that there are veggies in their treat! You can even use this batter for muffins!
Well, without further adieu....I'll leave you with my recipe. Let me know how you like it!
The Wife's Zucchini Bread
3 cups unbleached, all purpose flour*
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp baking powder
1tsp baking soda
3 tsp cinnamon
1 cup *extra light* olive oil
3 large eggs
2 1/2 cups Demerara sugar
3 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups grated zucchini
Sift all dry ingredients together and set aside. Mix eggs, vanilla, sugar & oil thoroughly. Then incorporate the dry ingredients a little at the time until all are mixed. The batter will be very thick, almost like cookie dough. Add the grated zucchini and mix thoroughly. The dough will then turn into a thick batter. Recipe makes 2 loaves, or you can make muffins with it. Enjoy!
*if you do not have unbleached all purpose flour, regular all purpose flour will be fine.
**optional--sprinkle extra demerara sugar on top of the batter prior to baking, which will create a little crunchy topping
