Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars Recipe

A Heartwarming Story Behind My Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars

I remember the first time I tried baking chocolate chip zucchini bars. It was a rainy afternoon, and I was rummaging through my pantry for something to satisfy my sweet tooth. I had a bunch of zucchini sitting in the fridge, and I knew I wanted to make something a bit different from the usual zucchini bread. After some quick online research, I stumbled upon a recipe for Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars. My heart raced with excitement as I combined the ingredients—brown butter, chocolate chips, and fresh zucchini. The moment they came out of the oven, I couldn’t resist biting into one. The warm, gooey chocolate melted in my mouth, and the zucchini kept the bars moist and light. I had found my new favorite treat!

I’m thrilled to share this Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars recipe with you. It’s easy to make and offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Whether you’re baking with kids or just want to surprise yourself with something new, these bars are sure to win your heart—just as they did mine.

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars are the perfect dessert for those looking for a flavorful and light treat.

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars

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These Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars are a delightful treat that combines the goodness of fresh zucchini with the sweetness of chocolate chips. Moist, tender, and full of flavor, these bars are perfect for a snack, dessert, or even breakfast. The addition of brown butter enhances the rich flavor while the zucchini keeps the bars light and moist.

Total Time: 40–47 minutes
Yield: 12–16 bars

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon pieces

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup shredded zucchini (about 1 medium zucchini)
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips, divided (1 cup for batter, 1/2 cup for topping)

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray and set aside.
Brown the Butter:
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir constantly for about 5–7 minutes, until the butter foams and turns a golden brown color. It should have a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let it cool for 10 minutes.
Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and ginger. Set aside.

Mix the Wet Ingredients:
Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar to the cooled brown butter and whisk until smooth. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Stir in the shredded zucchini, making sure it is evenly incorporated.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix.
Fold in the Chocolate Chips:
Gently fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips into the batter. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan.

Top with Chocolate Chips:
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips evenly over the top of the batter.
Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 25–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The edges should be lightly golden.
Cool and Serve:
Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, cut into squares and enjoy!

Notes

Zucchini Preparation: Grate the zucchini with the skin on for added texture. After grating, gently squeeze out any excess moisture before adding it to the batter.
Brown Butter Tip: Brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor to the bars. Make sure not to burn it! The key is to cook it until it turns golden brown and develops a nutty aroma.
Storage: These bars store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Author: Evelyn
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25–32 minutes
Category: Dessert, Snack, Baking
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients for the Perfect Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars

1 cup unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon pieces
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup shredded zucchini
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips, divided

These easy-to-make Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars will delight your guests with every bite.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars

Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and set it aside, ensuring that the pan is ready for the delicious batter you’re about to create.

Step 2: Brown the Butter

Place the butter in a medium saucepan and melt over medium heat. Stir it often, allowing it to foam, smell nutty, and eventually brown. This process will take about 5 to 7 minutes. Once the butter is browned, scrape it into a large bowl and let it cool for about 10 minutes.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and ginger. Set this bowl aside for the moment, as you’ll add it to the wet ingredients shortly.

Step 4: Combine the Sugars and Wet Ingredients

Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar to the cooled brown butter. Whisk them together until smooth. Then, add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Stir in the zucchini and make sure it’s fully incorporated into the batter.

Step 5: Add the Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are fine!

Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Fold in 1 cup of the chocolate chips into the batter. The chocolate chips will add richness to each bite of the zucchini bars.

Step 7: Bake

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch baking pan. Top the batter with the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips, making sure every square will have a generous amount of chocolate. Bake for 25 to 32 minutes, or until the bars are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Once done, remove the bars from the oven and let them cool in the pan. Once cool, cut them into squares, and enjoy the soft, flavorful Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars!

FAQs About Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars

What can I substitute for zucchini in the recipe?

If you’re not a fan of zucchini or just want to try something different, you can replace the zucchini with finely grated carrots. Both options add moisture to the bars and contribute to a slightly sweet, hearty flavor.

Can I make Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars ahead of time?

Yes! These bars store well. You can make them a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. The flavor often gets even better as it sits!

Why These Bars Are a Healthier Alternative

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars are not only delicious but also healthier than your typical dessert. The zucchini adds a boost of fiber and vitamins, making these bars a sneaky way to get more veggies into your diet! Plus, the brown butter gives a rich flavor without overpowering the sweetness of the chocolate, making it the perfect treat for any occasion.

For more information about the health benefits of zucchini, you can visit Wikipedia.