Description
Delight in these moist and flavorful Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars, a perfect blend of tender zucchini, warm spices, and melty chocolate chips. These bars bake up soft and cakey, with a delightful crunch from chopped walnuts, making them a wholesome treat for any time of day.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3 cups grated zucchini (about 1.5-2 zucchinis)
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar
- ½ cup butter (melted)
- ¼ cup milk
- 3 eggs
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
Add-ins
- ¾ cup mini chocolate chips
- ½ cup regular chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Prep: Begin by preheating the oven to 325 degrees F (163 degrees C). Spray a 15×10.5-inch baking pan with non-stick spray and set aside. Wash the zucchinis, trim the ends, and grate them. Set the grated zucchini aside for later use.
- Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, melted butter, milk, and eggs. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated. Then add the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir thoroughly to combine into a batter. Fold in the grated zucchini, chopped walnuts, and ¾ cup of mini chocolate chips gently to mix evenly.
- Bake: Spread the prepared batter evenly into the greased baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of regular chocolate chips evenly over the top of the batter.
- Cook: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool in the pan for 15 to 20 minutes before cutting into squares and serving.
Notes
- Make sure to squeeze excess moisture out of the grated zucchini if you want firmer bars, but a little moisture helps keep them tender.
- Feel free to substitute walnuts with pecans or omit nuts if allergic.
- For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
- Bars are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Adding chocolate chips on top gives a nice melty chocolate finish that contrasts the chocolate mixed inside.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
