Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars Recipe
Deliciously moist and tender chocolate chip zucchini bars combining the subtle sweetness of grated zucchini with melty chocolate chips. These bars are perfect as a wholesome snack or dessert, featuring a spiced batter with cinnamon for extra warmth.
- Author: Natalie
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups grated zucchini (lightly squeezed)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Zucchini: Grate the zucchini and then gently squeeze out the excess moisture using a clean towel. This ensures your bars will have the right texture.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon (if using) evenly.
- Mix Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
- Fold in Zucchini and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the grated zucchini and chocolate chips into the batter, ensuring they are evenly distributed without overworking the batter.
- Transfer Batter to Pan: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch baking pan, smoothing the top.
- Bake: Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Serve: Let the chocolate chip zucchini bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure to squeeze out excess moisture from the zucchini to prevent the bars from becoming soggy.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.
- Feel free to add nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Keywords: chocolate chip zucchini bars, zucchini dessert, chocolate chip dessert, moist zucchini bars, baked zucchini bars