Earlier this week we finished a brand new, gorgeous frame worthy, yet incredibly challenging 1,000 piece puzzle. Except this puzzle came with only 999 pieces. No, there weren't any dogs or cats here to eat puzzle pieces. Nor were there any children to blame for the missing piece. Yes, I crawled on the dining room floor at least a half dozen times wishing it would miraculously just appear. Yet, much to my chagrin it wasn't anywhere to be found. It felt as if I stared at that unfinished, finished puzzle for what seemed like an eternity. But I needed to move on. While I can't be absolutely certain, but I convinced myself the missing piece simply stayed behind in Italy. Because there was no other plausible explanation my conspiracy theory mind could come up with. When earlier in the week my sister told me they too had a new puzzle with a missing piece, I told her one of her dogs probably ate it. Being the older sister, I took that 'you know I'm right' low road. Well, as they say karma is a.......I will let you fill in the blank here. For those of you who are also spending some of your unexpected, new found discretionary time putting together puzzles, may you never have the experience of discovering your puzzle masterpiece, the one you spend hours and days working on, is missing a piece. Because it's worse than not being able to find flour, yeast, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, Clorox wipes, or Topo Chico at the grocery store.
If this past week wasn't challenging enough, one of my running friends gave me a baking challenge. To create and make a chocolate chip zucchini bread. But I decided to take this challenge to whole different level. Why just make a zucchini bread with chocolate chips? Why not make a make a Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread instead? Because sometimes more is better. Right? Yes, yes, yes! But I first had to find some fresh zucchini at the grocery store. Considering we aren't in the height of the summer zucchini season, I initially thought this would be my first challenge. But unlike not being able to find the missing puzzle piece, finding zucchini turned out not to be a problem at all.
Okay, before you decide to leave this post because you aren't a big fan of plain zucchini bread, let me say, please stay. If ever there were a game changing zucchini bread recipe for all of the non-zucchini bread lovers out there, this is the ONE. And for those of you who have been smitten with zucchini bread since forever, you are going to flip out when you taste this fudgy, moist, just the right amount of sweet, chocolatey version. One whose texture is a cross between and a cake and a quick bread. The most difficult decision you will have to make will be what to drink with it. Should it be milk, coffee, or tea? Tough decision.
Unlike most of my other recipe posts I am not going to spend a lot of time giving you a narrative of the directions. Instead I am going to just highlight a few things about the recipe. So here it goes. Use unsweetened cocoa powder not Dutch-processed cocoa, bittersweet chocolate chips deepen the chocolate flavor even more than semi-sweet chocolate chips, creme fraiche takes this bread to a whole new level (although you can use plain Greek yogurt), use an 8" x 4" pan (a 9" x 5" pan is too large), one medium sized zucchini will give you the shredded one and a half cups needed, and always, always top your bread with a handful more of chocolate chips.
This Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread had the right amount of sweetness for me, but if you like your zucchini bread a little sweeter, use 3/4 of cup of granulated sugar instead of the one half cup and 2 Tablespoons called for in this recipe.
And like some of my other recipe advice, don't be so quick to tell your fussytarian friends or family this bread is made with zucchini. Wait until they polish off the piece you gave them. Then, if they ask what's in it, tell them. But only if they ask.
Considering the amount of chocolate and cocoa in this bread, I wouldn't say this zucchini quick bread is healthy. However, I would say it's healthy-ish! It's also unbelievably good. Like seriously good.
You definitely need this Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread in your life. Otherwise it's like you are metaphorically living your life with a missing piece to the puzzle.
And whatever you do, don't wait until the summer to make this Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread. Life is too short to put off having a slice or two.
Recipe
Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Ingredients
1 cup (130 g) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (42 g) unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed)
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon instant espresso
3/4 cup (135 g) semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips (plus a handful for the top of the bread)
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/4 cup (60 ml) canola oil
1/4 cup (60 g) creme fraiche (or plain Greek yogurt)
1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons (135 g) granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 medium zucchini, after shredding should yield 1 1/2 cups (225 g)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Generously spray an 8" x 4" baking pan with vegetable spray. Set aside.
2. Shred the zucchini over a double layer of paper towels and then place a single paper towel over it. Press down to help absorb some of the moisture in the zucchini. Roll the paper towels and lightly squeeze. Note: Some of the moisture in the zucchini should remain.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, instant espresso and chocolate chips. Set aside.
4. In a medium sized bowl whisk together the eggs, canola oil, creme fraiche, vanilla, and sugar.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Lightly whisk until combined.
6. Stir in the zucchini with a spatula.
7. Pour the thick batter into the prepared baking pan. Top with a generous handful of chocolate chips.
8. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Note: Rotate the pan midway through the baking process.
9. Place baking pan on a cooling rack. Allow the bread to cool completely before unmolding onto a platter.
10. Cut into thick slices. Serve with a large glass of cold milk, a cup of hot coffee, or a mug of tea. Then sit back and slowly savor.
Notes: (1) Inspiration for this recipe came the Chocolate Zucchini Bread Recipe from Joy of Baking as well as the Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread from Sally's Baking Blog. (2) The weight of the zucchini is before most of the moisture is removed.
