Description
These Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars are a moist and delicious dessert that combines the subtle sweetness of grated zucchini with rich semi-sweet chocolate chips. Perfect for a healthy snack or a sweet treat, these bars are easy to prepare and bake, resulting in soft, flavorful squares that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups grated zucchini (about 1 medium zucchini, squeezed to remove excess moisture)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)
- ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the melted unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and uniform. Then add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly.
- Add Zucchini: Stir the grated zucchini into the wet mixture, ensuring it is evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing which can make the bars dense.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter to evenly distribute them.
- Fill the Baking Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly for uniform baking.
- Bake the Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are fully cooked.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into 9 squares. This cooling step helps the bars set and makes for cleaner cuts.
Notes
- Substitute part of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier variation.
- Ensure you squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the grated zucchini to avoid soggy bars.
- Feel free to add chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture and crunch.
