Carrot Apple Zucchini Bread Recipe
Carrot Apple Zucchini Bread is a delightful and nutritious treat that combines the best of fresh vegetables and fruits into a moist, flavorful loaf. This bread is perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert. Packed with the natural sweetness of apples and the earthy flavors of carrots and zucchini, it’s a great way to enjoy a healthier baked good without compromising on taste.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Nutritious: Loaded with vegetables and fruits, this bread is a great way to incorporate more produce into your diet.
- Moist and Flavorful: The combination of carrots, apples, and zucchini ensures a moist texture and a rich flavor profile.
- Versatile: Enjoy it as a breakfast option, a midday snack, or a sweet treat after dinner.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is straightforward and requires minimal preparation, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups
- Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon
- Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Ground Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
- Ground Nutmeg: ½ teaspoon
- Salt: ½ teaspoon
Wet Ingredients
- Large Eggs: 2
- Vegetable Oil: ½ cup (or melted coconut oil)
- Granulated Sugar: ¾ cup
- Brown Sugar: ½ cup, packed
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
Fruits and Vegetables
- Carrots: 1 cup, grated
- Zucchini: 1 cup, grated (squeeze out excess moisture)
- Apple: 1 cup, grated (peeled and cored)
- Walnuts: ½ cup, chopped (optional)
- Raisins: ½ cup (optional)
Essential Kitchen Tools
- Mixing Bowls: One for dry ingredients and one for wet ingredients.
- Grater: For grating carrots, zucchini, and apple.
- Whisk: For combining wet ingredients.
- Spatula: For folding in the fruits and vegetables.
- Loaf Pan: 9×5 inch, greased and floured.
- Cooling Rack: For cooling the bread.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Ingredients
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- Grate the Vegetables and Fruit: Grate the carrots, zucchini, and apple. Make sure to squeeze out the excess moisture from the zucchini using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
Mixing the Dry Ingredients
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt.
Mixing the Wet Ingredients
- Beat Eggs and Sugars: In another bowl, whisk the eggs with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until well combined.
- Add Oil and Vanilla: Mix in the vegetable oil and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Add Dry to Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in Fruits and Vegetables: Gently fold in the grated carrots, zucchini, apple, walnuts, and raisins (if using) until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Baking the Bread
- Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it out evenly.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Tips for Perfect Carrot Apple Zucchini Bread
- Grate Finely: Finely grate the vegetables and apple to ensure they integrate well into the batter and provide a consistent texture.
- Moisture Control: Make sure to squeeze out excess moisture from the grated zucchini to prevent the bread from becoming too wet.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can result in a dense, tough bread. Stir until the ingredients are just combined.
- Check Doneness: Baking times can vary, so start checking for doneness at the 50-minute mark.
Variations and Substitutions
- Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Sugar Substitutes: Use honey or maple syrup instead of granulated sugar for a different flavor and added moisture.
- Nut-Free: Omit the walnuts or substitute with seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds for a nut-free version.
- Spices: Add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger for a spicier loaf.
Serving Suggestions
- Breakfast: Serve warm slices with a smear of butter or cream cheese for a delicious breakfast.
- Snack: Enjoy a slice with a cup of coffee or tea as a midday snack.
- Dessert: Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a delightful dessert.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
- Storing: Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freezing: Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Nutritional Information
Each slice (based on 12 slices) has approximately:
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 18g
Conclusion
Carrot Apple Zucchini Bread is a nutritious, flavorful, and versatile recipe that can be enjoyed any time of day. Its moist texture and rich taste make it a family favorite, and its simplicity ensures that even novice bakers can achieve great results. Whether for breakfast, snack, or dessert, this bread is sure to delight.
FAQs
1. Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour? Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour, but the texture will be denser. You might also need to add a bit more liquid to the batter.
2. Can I add other fruits or vegetables to the bread? Absolutely! Try adding grated pear, sweet potato, or even coconut for a unique twist.
3. How can I make this bread vegan? Substitute the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water per egg), and use coconut oil or another plant-based oil.
4. What can I use instead of vegetable oil? You can use melted coconut oil, applesauce, or even Greek yogurt for a healthier option.
5. How do I prevent the bread from sticking to the pan? Grease and flour the loaf pan well, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Source: momontimeout.com
Carrot Apple Zucchini Bread Recipe
Carrot Apple Zucchini Bread is a delightful and nutritious treat that combines the best of fresh vegetables and fruits into a moist, flavorful loaf. This bread is perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert. Packed with the natural sweetness of apples and the earthy flavors of carrots and zucchini, it’s a great way to enjoy a healthier baked good without compromising on taste.
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 eggs room temperature
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 2½ tsp baking powder
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- pinch of ground cloves
- pinch of ground nutmeg
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 1 cup shredded zucchini
- 1 cup diced peeled apple (Granny Smith, Fuji, whatever you have on hand)
- ½ cup pecans chopped
- Cream Cheese Glaze/Frosting
- ½ cup cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup butter softened
- 2 – 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1-3 tbsp orange juice as needed
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease and flour two 8×4 inch loaf pans. Line with parchment paper and set aside. (I use the baking spray with flour in it.)
- Place zucchini in a large kitchen towel. Bring up the four corners and twist. Squeeze the towel to extract all the liquid from the zucchini, or as much as you can. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg together. Set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the butter and sugar.
- Add eggs, orange juice, and vanilla and whisk until combined.
- Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients along with the shredded carrots, shredded zucchini, apples, and pecans.
- Pour into prepared pans.
- Bake until golden brown, 55 to 60 minutes, or until loaves spring back when gently pressed with fingers.
- Let cool completely before icing.
- Cream Cheese Glaze/Frosting
- Cream together cream cheese and butter with a hand mixer.
- Add in 2 cups of powdered sugar and continue mixing. Drizzle in orange juice until desired consistency is achieved.
- Frost bread and enjoy!