Cinnamon Apple Zucchini Bread Recipe
Cinnamon Apple Zucchini Bread is the kind of recipe that makes your kitchen smell like a cozy bakery—warm, nostalgic, with an irresistible hint of spice. The blend of fresh zucchini and juicy apple gives each slice incredible moisture, while the cinnamon infuses every bite with comforting flavor. It’s a bread that bridges summer’s garden bounty and fall’s sweetest apples, coming together in one easy loaf you’ll want to bake again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Cinnamon Apple Zucchini Bread is how straightforward the ingredient list is—each component is essential to achieve the perfect texture, flavor, and gorgeous golden loaf. You’ll find nothing fussy here; just real, everyday ingredients working together to create something special.
- Zucchini (1 cup, grated): Adds unbeatable moisture and a subtle earthiness that makes the bread super tender without ever tasting “vegetable-y.”
- Apple (1 cup, grated): Lends natural sweetness and a soft texture, making every bite chewy and juicy.
- Sugar (½ cup): Ensures sweetness throughout and caramelization of the crust.
- Brown Sugar (½ cup): Deepens the flavor with a touch of molasses richness, enhancing the cinnamon and apple notes.
- Flour (2 cups): The sturdy backbone that gives your bread its structure and holds all the goodness together.
- Butter (1 stick, melted): Infuses the loaf with richness and a hint of decadence.
- Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): Adds a sweet, aromatic accent that ties everything together.
- Cinnamon (1 tsp): The aromatic star that amplifies apple’s sweetness and gives the bread its cozy, spiced character.
- Large Eggs (2): Bind the batter and add a tender crumb, ensuring the loaf slices perfectly.
- Baking Powder (1 tsp): Gives the bread a gentle lift for that perfect rise.
- Baking Soda (1 tsp): Reacts with the apple’s natural acids to create a beautifully soft texture.
- Salt (¼ tsp): Balances all the sweet notes and highlights the warmth of the cinnamon.
How to Make Cinnamon Apple Zucchini Bread
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan with either butter or nonstick spray; this will help your Cinnamon Apple Zucchini Bread slip out easily later. A parchment paper sling also works wonders for tidy removal.
Step 2: Grate the Zucchini and Apple
Wash your zucchini and leave the skin on for extra color and nutrition, then grate it finely using a box grater. For the apple, peel and grate it so the pieces nearly melt into the bread. Set both aside; your prep work now means the batter will come together in a snap.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Combining these first ensures every bite of bread is evenly flavored and rises to the perfect height.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Crack in your eggs, pour in the vanilla extract, and add both sugars and the melted butter. Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to blend everything until the mixture is mostly smooth. The wet ingredients dissolve the sugars and coax out that enticing cinnamon aroma.
Step 5: Stir in the Zucchini and Apples
Fold the grated zucchini and apple gently into the batter. Make sure it’s fully incorporated; these ingredients are the secret to a moist Cinnamon Apple Zucchini Bread with just the right amount of sweetness.
Step 6: Pour and Smooth the Batter
Transfer the batter to your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. This helps the bread bake evenly and achieve a beautifully domed top. You’re almost ready for that wonderful aroma to fill your kitchen!
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 50-60 minutes, but start checking around the 50-minute mark. Insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with just a crumb or two attached. Every oven is a little different, so use your senses—the top should be golden and the edges slightly pulled away from the pan.
Step 8: Cool and Remove
Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack. This resting time helps the bread set up, making it easier to slice and ensuring it doesn’t fall apart. Now comes the hardest part: waiting just a bit longer before diving in!
How to Serve Cinnamon Apple Zucchini Bread
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar gives Cinnamon Apple Zucchini Bread a delicate, bakery-finish look. For an extra-special touch, try a drizzle of vanilla glaze or even a few thin apple slices fanned out on top. Chopped toasted nuts like walnuts or pecans also complement the flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
Warm up a thick slice and top it with a generous pat of salted butter or a swipe of cream cheese—perfection with your morning coffee. For a weekend brunch, serve alongside a fruit salad or a dollop of Greek yogurt. The bread’s gentle sweetness pairs well with everything from scrambled eggs to a spicy chai latte.
Creative Ways to Present
For entertaining, consider slicing the loaf and transforming it into elegant tea sandwiches with mascarpone and thinly sliced pear. Or cut it into cubes and serve as a unique bread pudding base. If you’re packing lunchboxes, individual mini loaves or muffins make an adorable and portable treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftover Cinnamon Apple Zucchini Bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The bread stays incredibly moist thanks to the zucchini and apple, actually tasting even better on day two as the flavors blend together.
Freezing
Cinnamon Apple Zucchini Bread is freezer-friendly! Let the loaf cool completely, then wrap it snugly in two layers of plastic wrap and foil. Freeze whole loaves or individual slices for up to three months. Just don’t forget to label—it’ll be calling your name for a rainy-day treat.
Reheating
To enjoy again, thaw a slice at room temperature or gently warm it in a toaster oven. For the ultimate comfort, microwave a piece for about 15-20 seconds and pair it with your favorite hot beverage. The bread will taste every bit as fresh and inviting as when it was first baked.
FAQs
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose?
Absolutely! Whole wheat flour will make the loaf slightly denser and give it a nutty flavor. To keep the same tenderness, try using half whole wheat and half all-purpose flour, or add an extra tablespoon of grated apple or zucchini for moisture.
Should I squeeze the grated zucchini or apple before adding?
In most cases, you don’t need to squeeze out the moisture—the extra liquid is what keeps Cinnamon Apple Zucchini Bread fabulously moist. Only squeeze if your zucchini seems extremely watery or you want a slightly denser texture.
Can I add nuts or raisins to the batter?
Please do! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or even raisins are delicious additions. Stir in about half a cup right before pouring the batter into the pan for extra flavor and crunch.
How do I know when the bread is fully baked?
Start checking at the 50-minute mark by inserting a toothpick in the center—it should come out clean or with just a tiny crumb attached. If it looks very wet, bake for another 5-10 minutes and check again.
Can I make this recipe into muffins?
Yes! Simply divide the batter among lined muffin tins, filling each about 3/4 of the way. Bake at 350 degrees F for around 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. You’ll have adorable, grab-and-go Cinnamon Apple Zucchini Bread muffins!
Final Thoughts
Next time you’re in the mood for something soul-warming and extra comforting, give Cinnamon Apple Zucchini Bread a try. You’ll fall in love with how the flavors dance together and how effortless it is to make—plus, you’ll be fielding requests for a second loaf before the first is gone!
Print
Cinnamon Apple Zucchini Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cinnamon Apple Zucchini Bread is a delightful twist on traditional zucchini bread, adding the sweetness of apples and warm spice of cinnamon for a flavorful treat.
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Zucchini (grated)
- 1 Stick Butter (melted)
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 1 Cup Apple (grated)
- 1 Tsp Cinnamon
- 1 Tsp Baking Powder
- 1 Tsp Baking Soda
- ½ Cup Brown Sugar
- 2 Cups Flour
- ¼ Tsp Salt
Zucchini Bread:
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grate one medium zucchini and peel one medium apple and grate. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Stir to combine.
- Add the eggs, vanilla extract, sugar, brown sugar, and butter.
- Add the zucchini and apples to the batter and stir well to combine.
- Pour the batter into the loaf pan.
- Bake in the oven for between 50-60 minutes. All ovens bake at different rates and you will have to verify the bread is done when an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 20 minutes before trying to remove the bread from the pan. Enjoy!
Grease one 8 x 4-inch loaf pan.
Notes
- This bread freezes well, so you can make an extra loaf to enjoy later.
- You can add chopped nuts or raisins for extra texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Cinnamon, Apple, Zucchini, Bread, Baking, Homemade
