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Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 220 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 16 bars
  • Category: Dessert, Snack
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars are a moist and delicious way to enjoy a sneaky veggie dessert. Packed with shredded zucchini, warm spices, and gooey chocolate chips, these bars are perfect as a dessert or snack. The recipe is easy to prepare and yields perfectly tender bars that keep well and are great for meal prepping.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups finely shredded zucchini (about 1 medium zucchini)

Add-ins

  • 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the bars.
  2. Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until well combined. This will ensure even distribution of the leavening agents and spices throughout the batter.
  3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter and packed brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step incorporates air and develops the texture for the bars.
  4. Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
  5. Add shredded zucchini: Stir in the finely shredded zucchini. There is no need to squeeze out excess moisture unless your zucchini is particularly watery, as it helps keep the bars moist.
  6. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to prevent tough bars.
  7. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the optional chopped walnuts or pecans evenly through the batter.
  8. Bake the bars: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  9. Cool and slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 16 bars to serve. Cooling ensures they set properly for clean cuts.

Notes

  • For a healthier variation, substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour and reduce the brown sugar slightly to decrease sweetness.
  • These bars remain moist and freeze well, making them an ideal option for meal prep or packing in lunchboxes.
  • If you prefer nut-free bars, simply omit the chopped walnuts or pecans.

Find it online: https://slsrecipes.com/chocolate-chip-zucchini-bars-recipe/