Hey there baking friends! Anna Kowalska here, and I’m absolutely thrilled to share some of my most treasured homemade recipes with you all. You know me – I believe everything tastes better when it’s made with a whole lot of heart and, of course, bursting with flavor! My kitchen adventures are all about transforming simple ingredients into something truly special that your family will adore. Today, we’re diving headfirst into something utterly divine: Indulgent Chocolate Zucchini Bread with Sour Cream. Trust me, this isn’t just any quick bread; it’s a moist, rich, chocolatey dream that’s surprisingly simple to whip up. Get ready to impress yourself (and everyone lucky enough to snag a slice)!
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Why You’ll Love This Indulgent Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Seriously, you’re going to want to make this bread again and again. It’s got that perfect balance of rich, fudgy chocolate and tender zucchini that just melts in your mouth. The secret weapon? Sour cream! It makes this bread unbelievably moist and tender, way more than you’d expect from a quick bread. Plus, it’s so versatile!
- Incredibly moist and tender crumb
- Deep, satisfying chocolate flavor
- The magic touch of sour cream for ultimate richness
- Super easy to whip up, even on a busy weeknight
Perfect for Any Occasion
This bread is a lifesaver! It’s fantastic for a hearty breakfast, a delightful afternoon snack with a cup of coffee, or even a simple, decadent dessert. Honestly, it’s good anytime!
Gathering Your Ingredients for Indulgent Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Alright, let’s get our ducks in a row for this amazing chocolate zucchini bread! The beauty of this recipe is that it uses pretty standard pantry staples, but the quality really does make a difference. Fresh ingredients mean a fresher, more delicious loaf, so grab the good stuff if you can. Having everything measured out and ready to go before you start mixing is going to make the whole process so much smoother and more enjoyable. It’s like setting up your station for a culinary masterpiece, even if it’s just a simple loaf of bread!
Ingredient Clarity and Notes
Now, let’s talk specifics. Making sure you’ve got the right measurements and preparations is key to getting that perfect, moist crumb. Don’t stress too much about substitutions if you’re in a pinch, but these are the ingredients that really make this bread sing. Pay close attention to how we handle the zucchini and those lovely chocolate chips – it makes all the difference!
Zucchini Preparation
When it comes to the zucchini, grating it finely is important. You want it to disappear into the batter, adding moisture and tenderness without big chunks. After grating, give it a gentle squeeze to get rid of some excess water, but don’t wring it out completely – we need that moisture! For more tips on preparing vegetables, check out this guide on grating zucchini.
Chocolate Chip Distribution
We’re splitting the chocolate chips for a reason! About two-thirds go right into the batter to get all gooey and melty throughout the bread. The remaining third gets sprinkled on top. This gives you those lovely little pockets of melted chocolate on the surface, making each slice look as good as it tastes.
| 1 cup | plain flour |
| 1/2 cup | unsweetened cocoa powder |
| 1 teaspoon | baking soda |
| 1/2 teaspoon | salt |
| 2 large | room temperature eggs |
| 1/4 cup | vegetable oil (or canola or melted coconut oil) |
| 1/3 cup | sour cream (or Greek yogurt) |
| 1/4 cup | white sugar |
| 1/2 cup | packed light brown sugar |
| 1 teaspoon | vanilla essence |
| 1 1/2 cups | tightly packed finely grated zucchini |
| 1 cup | semi-sweet chocolate chips (split for use) |
Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Your Indulgent Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Preparing the Loaf Pan and Oven
First things first, let’s get our oven all warmed up to 325°F (163°C). While that’s heating, grab your 9×5-inch loaf pan. To make sure this beauty slides out like a dream, grease it really well and then line it with parchment paper. You can have the little paper handles sticking out over the sides – it makes lifting the bread out a breeze later on!
Mixing the Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, we’re going to do a little dance with our dry ingredients. Just whisk together the flour, that lovely unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Giving them a good whisk ensures everything is evenly distributed. This little step is super important for making sure you don’t get any surprise pockets of baking soda or flour later on.
Combining the Wet Ingredients
Now, grab your big mixing bowl! We’re going to combine all the wet ingredients here. Crack in your room temperature eggs (they mix in so much better!), pour in the vegetable oil, that wonderful sour cream (or Greek yogurt if you’re using that), the white sugar, the packed light brown sugar, and that splash of vanilla essence. Whisk it all up until it looks nice and smooth. No lumps allowed!
Bringing It All Together
Okay, this is where the magic really happens. Gradually add those dry ingredients you whisked earlier into the wet mixture. Now, listen closely: do NOT overmix! Just stir until *just* combined. A few streaks of flour are totally fine. Overmixing is the enemy of tender quick bread, so be gentle. Then, carefully fold in your finely grated zucchini and about three-quarters of your chocolate chips. Give it a gentle swirl to distribute them.
Baking and Cooling Your Bread
Pour that gorgeous batter into your prepared loaf pan. Try to spread it out evenly. Now, sprinkle the remaining quarter cup of chocolate chips right over the top – they’ll melt into little puddles of joy! Pop it into your preheated oven for about 55 to 65 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. If the top starts getting too dark before the inside is cooked, just loosely tent some foil over it. Once it’s out, let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes before carefully lifting it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Patience is key here!
Tips for Baking the Best Indulgent Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Want to make sure your chocolate zucchini bread is an absolute showstopper? It’s all about a few little tricks that make a big difference. I’ve learned these over the years, and they really help ensure you get that perfect texture and flavor every single time. Don’t worry if it’s your first time; these tips are super straightforward and will have you baking like a pro!
Avoiding a Dense Zucchini Bread
The biggest culprit for dense bread? Overmixing! Seriously, once those dry ingredients hit the wet, just stir until they *just* come together. A few little flour streaks are totally fine. Also, make sure your zucchini is grated finely and not super wet; too much liquid can weigh down the batter. Gentle folding is your friend here!
Achieving Perfect Moistness
This is where that sour cream really shines; it’s a moisture miracle worker! Grating the zucchini finely and giving it a gentle squeeze (but not too much!) also helps. And don’t overbake it! Keep an eye on it and do the toothpick test. A few moist crumbs clinging to it is perfect – it means it’s cooked through but still wonderfully tender and moist.
Serving and Storing Your Indulgent Chocolate Zucchini Bread
This bread is so delicious, you’ll want to enjoy every last crumb! It’s fantastic warm, right after it’s cooled a bit, but honestly, it’s just as good at room temperature. And leftovers? We’ve got you covered on how to keep it tasting amazing!
Best Ways to Serve
I love this bread just as it is, maybe with a little smear of butter if I’m feeling fancy. It’s also amazing with a dollop of whipped cream or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a quick dessert. Honestly, just slice and enjoy!
Storing Leftovers
Once your bread has cooled completely, wrap it up snugly. Storing it at room temperature is usually best for quick breads like this. It’ll stay wonderfully moist for a few days. If you happen to have any left after that (which is rare in my house!), you can pop it in the fridge, but it might get a little firmer.
| Storage Method: | Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. |
| Room Temperature: | 3-4 days |
| Refrigerator: | Up to 1 week (may slightly firm up) |
| Reheating: | Briefly warm slices in the microwave (10-15 seconds) or a toaster oven for best texture. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Indulgent Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Got questions about this amazing chocolate zucchini bread? I’ve got answers! It’s always good to know a few things to make sure your baking goes off without a hitch. These little bits of info should help clear up any confusion and ensure your loaf turns out perfectly every single time.
Can I Use a Different Type of Chocolate Chip?
Absolutely! While semi-sweet is my go-to, feel free to use milk chocolate chips for a sweeter bread or dark chocolate chips for a more intense flavor. Mini chocolate chips work great too, just make sure you still split them as directed!
How Do I Know if My Zucchini is Finely Grated Enough?
You want your grated zucchini to look almost like little shreds of carrot – small and moist, not chunky. If you can easily mash a bit between your fingers, it’s perfect. It should blend into the batter without being obvious, just adding that lovely moisture.
What If I Don’t Have Sour Cream?
No sour cream? No problem! Plain Greek yogurt is a fantastic substitute and works just as well to give you that incredible moistness. You could also try buttermilk in a pinch, but the texture might be slightly different. For more baking substitutions, explore King Arthur Baking’s ingredient substitution guide.
Nutritional Information for Indulgent Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Now, let’s talk about what goes into your body with this delicious bread. Keep in mind that these numbers are just estimates, as the exact amounts can vary depending on the specific brands you use and how you slice your loaf. But it gives you a good idea of what you’re enjoying!
| Serving Size: | 1 slice |
| Calories: | Approx. 300-350 |
| Sugar: | Approx. 25-30g |
| Sodium: | Approx. 200-250mg |
| Fat: | Approx. 15-20g |
| Saturated Fat: | Approx. 4-6g |
| Unsaturated Fat: | Approx. 10-14g |
| Trans Fat: | 0g |
| Carbohydrates: | Approx. 40-45g |
| Fiber: | Approx. 2-3g |
| Protein: | Approx. 4-5g |
| Cholesterol: | Approx. 50-60mg |
Share Your Indulgent Chocolate Zucchini Bread Creations!
I just love seeing your baking adventures! If you give this Indulgent Chocolate Zucchini Bread with Sour Cream a try, please let me know how it turned out. Drop a comment below, give it a star rating, or share a picture of your delicious loaf. Your feedback and creations mean the world to me and help other bakers too! For more baking inspiration, check out these dessert recipes.
Print
2 Minute Indulgent Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- Total Time: 80 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulgent Chocolate Zucchini Bread with Sour Cream is a moist and rich quick bread packed with chocolate flavor and tender zucchini.
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large room temperature eggs
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (or canola or melted coconut oil)
- 1/3 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1 1/2 cups tightly packed finely grated zucchini
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (split for use)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, combine eggs, oil, sour cream, white sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
- Gradually stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Do not overmix. Gently fold in grated zucchini and 3/4 cup chocolate chips.
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips on top.
- Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean (except for melted chocolate). Cover with foil if browning too quickly.
- Remove from oven and cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then, remove bread from pan and cool on a wire rack until slightly warm.
- Slice and serve.
Notes
- For easy removal, line the loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Do not overmix the batter to ensure a tender bread.
- If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: Approx. 300-350
- Sugar: Approx. 25-30g
- Sodium: Approx. 200-250mg
- Fat: Approx. 15-20g
- Saturated Fat: Approx. 4-6g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approx. 10-14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 40-45g
- Fiber: Approx. 2-3g
- Protein: Approx. 4-5g
- Cholesterol: Approx. 50-60mg




