Soft Zucchini Bread Recipe (super easy!) (2024)

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There is nothing better than fresh Zucchini Bread in the middle of summer! This particular zucchini bread recipe is a buttery one, made with simple pantry ingredients and topped with lemon zest and sugar for an extra sweet topping. Let the zucchini baked goods roll! Thanks to plentiful gardens around the country, we can make and enjoy fried zucchini, zucchini brownies, zucchini enchiladas and this fabulous zucchini bread recipe all summer long.

Better than Grandma’s

Growing up, my Grandma had the most amazing garden and year to year would always have more zucchinis than she would know what to do with. Of course she would grate it up and add it to random recipes here and there, but the main way she would use all her zucchini was adding it to her Zucchini Bread Recipe that we would go crazy over. After getting my paws on that recipe after she passed, I realized that no matter how I tried, it would never be quite as good as Grandma’s.

So, although Grandma will always have the ultimate homemade recipe for zucchini bread (in my mind), I’ve made my own delicious, buttery, lemony version that is just as dreamy in different ways.

My Zucchini Bread Recipe

This particular recipe that I developed for zucchini bread is a lighter, sweeter version than many others on the internet. Many bake up darker than I prefer, and call for the addition of chocolate chips, nuts, cinnamon, raisins (ew) or other items.

My recipe doesn’t call for any extra add-ins and bakes light, moist and sweet thanks to butter, oil, buttermilk and of course zucchini! Topped with a simple lemon-sugar, this becomes the sweetest addition to any breakfast, afternoon tea or late-night snack.

Why You Should Bake with Zucchini

Just like a carrot cake, banana bread or pumpkin bread, the addition of a mashed fruit or grated vegetable into a cake batter is a welcome one, adding in not only nutrition but moisture! The warm summer months are when zucchinis are in season and when you’re probably finding lots of zucchini recipes pop up online. It’s the perfect time to experiment and add the extra benefits zucchini can bring to your baked goods. Try my Zucchini Lemon Poppyseed Cookies!

How to Prep Zucchini for Zucchini Bread

Most recipes using fresh zucchini in this way will have you grate your zucchini and then remove any extra moisture.

1. Wash your zucchini. No need to peel!
2. Cut off one of the ends.
3. Grate using a box grater or other medium to coarse grate.
4. Transfer zucchini to a clean kitchen towel or several paper towels stacked together and wring out any extra moisture.
5. Now your zucchini is ready to use! Alternately, you can store in ziploc bags and keep in the fridge or freezer for a later date.

How to Make Homemade Zucchini Bread

You only need about 15 minutes and a few pantry staples to make this simple zucchini bread batter!

Prep

Preheat oven. Grease a light colored loaf pan very well and set aside. Grate and prepare zucchini like mentioned above.

Make the Zucchini Bread Batter

In a large bowl, mix canola oil, butter and sugar together until well combined. Add in eggs and vanilla and stir again until mixed and completely smooth.

Stir flour, baking powder and salt together separately.

Alternate adding in the dry mixture with the buttermilk, starting and ending with dry.

Gently stir in grated zucchini by hand.

Pour into Pans, Top with Lemon Sugar + Bake

Pour into prepared pan. Stir sugar together with lemon zest in a small bowl until well combined. Sprinkle over the top of the loaf.

Bake 45-60 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Cool + Serve

Cool 10-15 minutes before removing from pan and cooling completely. Enjoy!!

Storing Zucchini Bread

Cover with foil or plastic wrap or place in a plastic bag to prevent drying out. Properly stored, zucchini bread will stay fresh 1-2 days.

Can I freeze Zucchini Bread?

Yes! Wrap bread tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Zucchini bread will stay fresh in the freezer for 2-3 months.

Like this Zucchini Bread Recipe? Try these:

• Fried Zucchini
• Zucchini Pizza Casserole
• Zucchini Enchiladas
• The Best Zucchini Brownies
• Zucchini Fritters
• Sausage and Peppers Stuffed Zucchini Boats
• Zoodles in a Lemon Cream Sauce
• …or check out my recipe index with all the zucchini related recipes on my site.

Be sure to pin/print/share/bookmark/email this recipe because it’s a great one to have on hand for the warmer summer months!

Have a great day, friends!