Ingredients
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1 cup unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon pieces
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
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1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
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1 teaspoon sea salt
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1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
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1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
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1 cup brown sugar, packed
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1/4 cup granulated sugar
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1 large egg
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1 egg yolk
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1 tablespoon vanilla extract
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1 cup shredded zucchini (about 1 medium zucchini)
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1 1/2 cups chocolate chips, divided (1 cup for batter, 1/2 cup for topping)
Instructions
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–32 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack, Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian