Making zucchini bread has me feeling a little bit like a magician.
When using the finer side of a box grater to shred zucchini, we can create a disappearing act so convincing, people will wonder if David Copperfield is in the room. As the bread bakes and becomes golden, the zucchini disappears and what we’re left with is a tender tasty bread with subtle zucchini flavor and little winks of green indicating that something earthy played a role here. The inclusion of olive oil also works to enhance the flavors and moisture along with providing healthy fats and antioxidants.
Okay…this Zucchini & Olive Oil Bread with Lemon Crunch Drizzle has me dreaming of spades and shovels, trowels and pitchforks…
Once upon time, Dom and I made a very valiant effort at having a garden but it was all we could do to keep the deer and bunnies away. We planted tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and zucchini. I even planted a lovely border of marigolds around our 10×8 swatch of salad, but their little flower faces did nothing to scare away the visitors. And although much of what we planted became the blue plate special for our animal kingdom, we did manage to produce enough zucchini to make more than a loaf of bread or two.
Who doesn’t love the versatility of zucchini? Soups, fritters, frittatas…the options are endless.
This bread is a treat all by itself, but by adding a healthy drizzle of lemon crunch it goes from great to superb. It’s like the difference between a cup of vanilla bean ice cream and a cup of vanilla bean ice cream with warm chocolate sauce, chopped nuts and a cherry on top.
There’s something about this crunchy citrus-y drizzle-y drizzle on soft sweet cake-y zucchini bread that has me thinking those bunnies weren’t so bad…
There just may be another outdoor salad bar in our future…
Buon Appetito!
PrintZucchini & Olive Oil Bread with Lemon Crunch Drizzle
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup walnut pieces (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 1/4 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 cup olive oil
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups grated, unpeeled zucchini
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease and flour a bread pan. Set aside.
- Place walnuts in a single layer in a small frying pan. Over medium heat, toast them until golden brown and aromatic, about 10 minutes. Cool the walnuts completely and set aside.
- In a large bowl sift together sugar, flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, beat olive oil, eggs, zucchini and vanilla for about 3 minutes, until light and fully incorporated.
- Add wet mixture and walnuts to dry mixture and stir until fully combined. It will have a (relatively) thick consistency. Not as loose as traditional cake batter.
- Pour batter into pan.
- Bake for 1 1/4 hrs. or until toothpick comes out with very little crumb attached.
- In the meantime prepare the lemon drizzle.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and granulated sugar, then whisk in the confectioners’ sugar until mixture is completely smooth.
- Remove bread from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes in the pan.
- Carefully invert it onto a wire rack.
- Using a spoon, drizzle the lemon drizzle atop the bread. It will adhere to the bread and set as it cools.
- Transfer bread to a serving plate.
- Slice and serve.
Ciao!
Izzy says
I remember being so proud of myself when I was a kid that I actually like zucchini bread, haha! I’m not sure if it is the zucchinis, but there is something so delicious about it! I bet it tastes even better with that lemon glaze all over it 🙂
Annie says
You know – it’s just so moist; it’s hard not to like it! But I can see why that would be a very proud moment for a kid! Love it! 🙂
Cailee says
I’ve never actually had zucchini bread!! Isn’t that crazy! But you’ve got me convinced!! This looks amazing! 🙂 Great recipe!
Annie says
It’s time to try it, Cailee!!! haha! I think you’ll really like it! Thanks, dear!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
Oh yum! That drizzle sounds amazing as well.
Annie says
Thanks, Dannii! 🙂
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
Growing one’s own food is a rewarding experience. It certainly helps me appreciate the work farmers put into their crops, especially with organic farming. We had a garden for many years, and I think my most favorite part of it was the strawberries. We even had bunnies nest in them for several years. We had so many berries, we didn’t mind sharing. It was the deer who came and ate what they wanted. Luckily they only visited every now and then so it wasn’t too bad. And zucchini, well, I know my CSA will be overflowing with them come late summer, so I’m pinning this for later! Thank you, Annie…. it sounds so, so good, especially with that lemon crunch drizzle!! YUM!
Annie says
Oh my – you could not be more right! I so appreciate the work farmers do. You know, your last post talking about your CSA inspired me to check out what we have here and I’m very excited about the prospects. I’ll keep you posted. I love the idea of bunnies nestled in with your strawberries – what a sweet visual. Thank you my dear, I hope you like it!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
Love the bread Annie and the drizzle is beautiful!
PS: Did you really have to say this ” cup of vanilla bean ice cream with warm chocolate sauce, chopped nuts and a cherry on top.” Gahhh I can visualize the entire thing and want a cup like right now! 🙁
Annie says
Hahhaa! Oh noooo – I’m sorry! That ice cream does sound really good! Thanks for your sweet words, Manali! 🙂
Danielle @ Live Well Bake Often says
I love zucchini bread! It’s kind of like getting your veggies, but in a sweeter way 😉 I love the glaze on top of this too! Such a perfect touch!
Annie says
Thanks, Danielle! 🙂
mira says
Looks gorgeous Annie! Zucchini bread is my all time favorite! Can’t wait to try this recipe , and of course the drizzle looks delicious!
Annie says
It’s a very nice bread, isn’t it?! Thanks, my dear! Enjoy!
Robin Botie says
Whoa – This sounds great. Still wondering where the crunch will show up in that exquisite drizzle but I guess I’ll have to try it to see. Just thinking about this zucchini bread is gonna drive me nuts until I can make it. Cheers!
Annie says
I think you’re really going to like it, Robin! As the bread cools the glaze sets to create a nice little citrus-y crunch! Thanks, friend!
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
Annie, I’m drooling! I make zucchini bread every summer, but for some reason I never did last season. I felt like something was missing. This is a good reminder to fill that void. Olive oil sounds perfect in this, and with your crunchy lemon glaze, it’s over the top! (And I can’t even grow a flower, except daisies, in my yard, because of all the wildlife.)
Annie says
Hahah! Glad I could help! The olive oil definitely works to enhance the flavor and texture of the bread! Aw – I love daisies! Thanks, dear!
Rachelle says
I used to love zucchini bread when I was a kid. I don’t know why I haven’t ever thought to make it. I’m absolutely going to make this. That lemon crunch drizzle seals the deal! And outdoor salad bar? Cracked me up!
Annie says
Yes!! I hope you like it! Thanks, Rachelle! 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Gorgeous loaf, Annie! I love zucchini bread, it’s the perfect way to sneak in more veggies for the kids and the husband:) That lemon crunch drizzle looks glorious and I could just drink that up all by itself!
Annie says
Thanks so much, Kelly! This is an enjoyable bread for sure!
Camille K says
I love me a good zucchini bread! This looks so delicious and I love the idea of the lemon crunch drizzle. Can’t wait to give this a try!
Annie says
Oh yeah…the lemon crunch drizzle really seals the deal! Thanks for stopping by, Camille!! 🙂
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
I love zucchini, but for some reason have never been able to grow it. Why? It’s supposed to be the easiest vegetable to grow, but I never get more then one or two tiny little zucchini. So annoying, everything else grows just fine! This bread looks fantastic Annie! I love that lemon drizzle on top. Pinned!
Annie says
Awwh…I don’t what’s happening in your garden. That is interesting! Most of the time people are like, enough already… So happy you like the bread! Thanks for the pin! 🙂
Annie @Maebells says
Simply beautiful!! I love the drizzle!
Annie says
Thank you so much, Annie!
Olivia @ Olivia's Cuisine says
Annie, this bread looks so moist! And I love the combination of flavors here. Very creative! 🙂 Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe.
Annie says
Thanks, Olivia! The very citrus-y glaze plays nicely with the savoriness of the bread! 🙂
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
Annie, I just love zucchini bread and I love your addition of olive oil and the lemon crunch drizzle. Sorry about the bunnies and the deer – they look so cute but it’s so discouraging to come out the the garden and see the havoc that they can cause. I have the added insult of gophers to deal with!
Annie says
Oh no! That is an added insult that no-one needs!! It’s a good thing they’re so cute! Thank you so much, Geraldine, and I agree – zucchini bread has to be one of the most tasty moist breads I’ve made.
Joanne says
I absolutely LOVE sneaking zucchini into baked goods! It’s like you get double the bang for you buck – delicious AND full of vitamins! This bread looks fab-o-lous.
Annie says
So so true!! It is a double bang for our buck! Can’t beat that! Thanks so much, Joanne!
April @ Girl Gone Gourmet says
It’s been a while since I’ve made zucchini bread – it has always been a favorite! I love the lemon drizzle — looks like a slice would go perfect with a cup of coffee – which I definitely need right now 🙂
Annie says
That little bit of sweet citrus complements the savoriness of the bread beautifully. Thanks, April!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This bread sounds fantastic, Annie! I love zucchini bread, though I never think to make it. I definitely need to try it with this lemon glaze!
Annie says
It’s one of my favorites…such a moist flavorful bread! Thanks, Gayle!
Mir says
Wow, this is some fancy zucchini bread. I love the crunch on top! That’s brilliant!
Annie says
Thanks, Mir! Everything’s better with a little crunch! Am I right?