Name: Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups shredded zucchini (about 2 medium); 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional); 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 4 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons milk or cream

Jump to Recipe

If you’re craving a treat that’s both tender and indulgent, yet secretly wholesome, then you need to try these Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese. Imagine soft, spiced bars packed with fresh zucchini (that you’d never know was there), crowned with a billowy layer of rich cream cheese frosting. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or a sweet snack for yourself, this recipe transforms humble garden ingredients into something truly special. Trust me, this is going to be the dessert you bring to every gathering!

Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of these Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese starts with everyday, easy-to-find ingredients. Every item adds something unique to the bars—moisture, flavor, texture, or that irresistible finishing touch—so don’t skip a thing!

All-purpose flour: Provides structure and stability for these tender bars.
Baking soda: Ensures a fluffy rise and light crumb.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and delicious depth.
Ground nutmeg: Lends cozy spice notes that complement the zucchini.
Ground cloves: A little goes a long way for rich, aromatic flavor.
Unsalted butter, softened: Creates a velvety texture and buttery taste in both bars and frosting.
Vegetable oil: Gives extra moisture without weighing the bars down.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and softens the crumb beautifully.
Large eggs: Bind everything together while keeping the bars fluffy.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out all the flavors in both bar and frosting layers.
Shredded zucchini: Adds incredible moisture and a sneaky veggie boost—no one will ever guess!
Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): Provide crunch and nutty contrast.
Cream cheese, softened: Essential for that luscious, tangy frosting everyone loves.
Powdered sugar: Makes the cream cheese frosting cloud-like and smooth.
Milk or cream: Thins the frosting just enough to spread luxuriously over the bars.

How to Make Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This simple step ensures your Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese never stick and always lift out beautifully for perfect squares every single time.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a big bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Combining your dry ingredients first guarantees the spices and leavening are evenly distributed—so every bar tastes just as wonderful as the next.

Step 3: Cream Butter, Oil, and Sugar

In a separate large bowl, use a hand mixer (or a sturdy whisk) to cream the softened butter, oil, and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This step is your secret to that dreamy, soft texture in Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time for the best blend, then stir in your vanilla extract. Together, they create richness and a subtle background flavor that enhances the spices and cream cheese frosting later on.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Now gently mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir just until you stop seeing flour—it’s totally fine if the batter is a little lumpy. Over-mixing can lead to tough bars, so keep it gentle!

Step 6: Fold in Zucchini and Nuts

Next, fold the shredded zucchini and (if you’re feeling nutty) the chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter. The zucchini melts right in, making the bars extra moist and tender without adding any detectable veggie flavor.

Step 7: Fill the Pan and Bake

Pour your beautiful batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it into all the corners. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Let the aroma convince everyone that something amazing is happening in your kitchen!

Step 8: Cool the Bars

Once baked, the hardest part is letting your Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Cooling is key for a clean cut and for your frosting to sit perfectly on top.

Step 9: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy—no lumps allowed! Gradually add powdered sugar, then blend in vanilla and just enough milk or cream to achieve that dreamy, spreadable consistency.

Step 10: Frost, Slice, and Serve

Once completely cool, lavish the bars with a thick, even layer of cream cheese frosting. Cut into generous squares, serve on your prettiest platter, and watch them disappear faster than you thought possible!

How to Serve Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese

Garnishes

Dress up your Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese with a sprinkle of extra chopped nuts, a dusting of cinnamon, or even a few curls of white chocolate. Each garnish adds a touch of elegance and a hint at what’s inside. For something extra special, try a tiny twist of lemon or orange zest for a pop of color and freshness.

Side Dishes

If you’re putting together a dessert spread, pair these bars with something simple like fresh berries, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, or a hot cup of coffee. The creamy tang of the frosting pairs beautifully with anything rich and mellow—making Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese the star of any lineup.

Creative Ways to Present

Take your presentation up a notch by cutting the bars into bite-sized cubes for a dessert platter, or stack them in a pretty tiered stand for a brunch or baby shower. You can even layer them in jars with extra frosting for a unique and portable parfait. However you display them, expect genuine “Wow!” reactions.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese keep well covered in the fridge for up to five days. Simply place them in an airtight container or wrap the baking pan tightly with plastic wrap. The bars actually taste even better on day two, as the flavors deepen and the texture gets even more irresistible.

Freezing

To freeze, arrange the cut (and frosted) bars in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then wrap each square tightly in plastic. Pop them into a freezer bag or container and enjoy Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese any time you crave a sweet bite. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for best results.

Reheating

If you like your bars a little warm, microwave individual slices on low for just 10–15 seconds. This gives the Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese that freshly-baked vibe, and the cream cheese frosting turns lusciously soft and melty—pure bliss!

FAQs

Can I make Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese without nuts?

Absolutely! The nuts are completely optional. Leaving them out won’t affect the lovely texture or the signature taste of the bars. In fact, nut-free bars are wonderfully soft and perfect for anyone with allergies.

Do I need to peel the zucchini?

No peeling necessary! Just wash and shred the zucchini—its tender skin melts right into the bars, providing moisture and color without any stringiness.

Why are my bars soggy?

If your Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese turn out a bit too moist, it’s likely due to extra liquid from the zucchini. Try patting the shredded zucchini lightly with paper towels before adding it to the batter, especially if yours feels really wet.

Can I use a different frosting?

While the cream cheese frosting is classic and utterly delicious, you could swap it for a vanilla or lemon buttercream if you’re in the mood for something different. However, nothing quite matches the taste and texture of the Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese as the creamy, tangy original!

How can I make these gluten-free?

Try using a cup-for-cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. The bars will be just as tender and flavorful, though the texture may be slightly different. If you go gluten-free, make sure your baking soda and other ingredients are certified as well.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend these Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese enough—whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself, they always impress. There’s something so satisfying about biting into that plush, spice-kissed crumb topped with cloud-like cream cheese frosting. Give this recipe a try and see just how quickly it turns into one of your personal favorites too!

Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 18 reviews

Author: Ella
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 12–16 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars with Cream Cheese are a delicious and moist treat that combines the goodness of zucchini with a rich cream cheese frosting. Perfect for dessert or a sweet snack!

Instructions

Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease/flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Cream wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, cream butter, oil, and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
Mix wet and dry ingredients: Combine dry ingredients with wet, then fold in zucchini and nuts.
Bake: Spread batter in pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Prepare frosting: While bars cool, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla and milk/cream.
Frost and serve: Spread frosting over cooled bars, cut into squares, and enjoy!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American