Name: Death By Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup cocoa powder; 1 tsp baking soda; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp salt; 3/4 cup dark (60 % or higher) chocolate chips or chunks; 2 eggs, lightly beaten; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 3/4 cup light brown sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups zucchini, shredded

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Rich and decadent death-by-chocolate zucchini bread is perfect for brunch, dessert, or as a snack! It also makes a great (and delicious) gift!

Quick breads are one of the first baked goods I ever learned how to make. They are famously easy (mix all of your ingredients together and bake!) and can double as either an indulgent snack or as dessert. Years ago, I discovered the amazing combination of chocolate and zucchini, and have never looked back.

If you are a lover of All Things Chocolate like I am, you are going to love this Death By Chocolate Zucchini Bread. The chocolate comes in two forms – cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips – the latter of which creates gooey pockets of rich chocolatey goodness. This chocolate zucchini bread is light and moist, and yet decadent enough to be compared to chocolate cake. But it contains zucchini, so it’s not cake! I say that repeatedly to myself whenever I eat a slice.

close up of three slices of chocolate zucchini bread on a wooden cutting board with chocolate chips scattered around

Why This Recipe Works

Taste – This decadent recipe tastes like zucchini bread-meets-chocolate cake. So rich and moist, with deep chocolatey flavor from both cocoa powder and dark chocolate, it makes a great summer dessert or indulgent snack.

Healthy-ish – I realize I just described the taste as similar to chocolate cake (I’m not wrong!), but hear me out – it is a healthier dessert option because it contains a substantial amount of zucchini! You could also make it even healthier by substituting 1/2 cup of whole-wheat flour in place of the all-purpose flour and/or adjusting the brown sugar to be 1/2 cup. Tweak it to your liking!

Easy – Quick breads are notoriously easy – that’s partially why they are called “quick breads” (also because they don’t use yeast as leavening). You literally mix everything into two separate bowls, combine them, and bake!

Giftable – Quick breads make an excellent gift. Wrap your chocolate zucchini bread in cellophane or foil and tie it with a ribbon. Be sure to let the recipient know that it should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. They will love you forever!

zucchini bread batter in a bowl with rubber spatula

Step-By-Step Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9″x5″ loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray or butter.
In a large bowl, mix together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and chocolate chips.
In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk eggs, oil, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Add wet ingredients into bowl with dry ingredients and whisk until just combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold in shredded zucchini. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool bread in pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.

death by chocolate zucchini bread sliced on a wooden cutting board with a knife nearby on top of a plaid napkin

chocolate zucchini bread on parchment paper and three slices on a white plate next to it

Helpful Tips and Recipe Notes

When combining your dry and wet ingredients, only mix until just combined. Over-mixing could produce extra gluten, creating a very chewy bread. You are going for a lighter texture with this recipe.
After zucchini bread has cooled completely, wrap it in aluminum foil and place it in an air-tight plastic bag. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
This recipe can be doubled and baked in two 9″x5″ loaf pans.
DON’T squeeze out the moisture from your shredded zucchini. Some recipes call for that, but this recipe incorporates the liquid for maximum moisture and flavor.

chocolate zucchini bread cut into slices on parchment paper with chocolate chips scattered nearby

Enjoy your week, and feel free to drop me a line in the comments – I would love to hear if you try this recipe! Or tag me on Instagram @maryannehoekstra to let me know how it turned out! Also, if you are enjoying my blog, please consider recommending it to your friends. They can subscribe here.

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