Description
Delectable carrot apple zucchini bread blends seasonal produce into a moist, wholesome quick bread. Warm spices and nutty undertones create a comforting treat you’ll savor with morning coffee or afternoon tea.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3¼ cups (390 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (240 g) shredded carrots
- 1 cup (240 g) shredded zucchini
- 1 cup (150 g) diced, peeled apple (Granny Smith, Fuji, or whatever you have on hand)
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup (60 g) chopped pecans
- ½ cup (113 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (113 g) butter, softened
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 2½ tsps baking powder
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh orange juice
- ¼ cup (57 g) butter, softened
- 2–3 cups (240–360 g) powdered sugar
- 1–3 tbsps orange juice, as needed
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of ground cloves
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Prep Station: Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare two 8×4 inch loaf pans with baking spray or parchment paper.
- Moisture Management: Squeeze excess liquid from shredded zucchini using a kitchen towel, ensuring a dry vegetable base.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ground cloves, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl to create a uniform spice blend.
- Wet Ingredient Transformation: Blend melted butter and sugar until smooth, then fold in eggs, orange juice, and vanilla extract to create a rich liquid mixture.
- Batter Composition: Gently combine dry and wet ingredients, maintaining a light, airy texture while carefully folding to prevent overmixing.
- Flavor Integration: Fold in shredded carrots, zucchini, diced apples, and chopped pecans, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
- Pan Filling: Evenly distribute batter between prepared loaf pans, creating a balanced and level surface.
- Baking Perfection: Bake for 55-60 minutes until the exterior turns golden-brown and the center springs back when gently pressed.
- Cooling and Glazing: Allow loaves to cool completely before preparing the cream cheese glaze by whipping softened cream cheese and butter until creamy.
- Glaze Finalization: Gradually incorporate powdered sugar and orange juice, adjusting consistency to create a smooth, drizzle-ready glaze.
- Final Touch: Lavishly coat cooled bread loaves with the cream cheese glaze, creating an indulgent and visually appealing finish.
Notes
- Moisture Management: Squeeze zucchini thoroughly to prevent soggy bread and ensure a perfect, light texture.
- Spice Balance: Use fresh ground spices for maximum flavor intensity and aromatic depth in the bread.
- Mixing Technique: Fold ingredients gently to maintain air pockets, creating a tender and soft crumb.
- Baking Precision: Check doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center; it should come out clean to guarantee perfectly baked loaves.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-60 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg