My Grandma's Zucchini Bread Recipe - Over 60 years old! (2024)

Julie Clark

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Grandma’s Zucchini bread recipe is not only easy, but bakes up moist and full of comforting flavor. It makes two loaves and freezes well.

Zucchini bread season is in full swing (but really, is there ever not a time for zucchini bread?!). This best zucchini bread recipe is extra special because it is my grandma’s recipe. I remember fondly her bringing loaves of this quick bread when she came to visit, and smelling the familiar aroma coming from my mom’s oven as she used the same recipe.

In this classic zucchini bread recipe, we’re honoring the traditional flavors that make this an all-time favorite, while also offering twists and variations to make it even more special. Enjoy it as a breakfast treat, afternoon snack, or even dessert after dinner.

My Grandma's Zucchini Bread Recipe - Over 60 years old! (2)

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Reader Susan says, “I’ve made your Grandma’s Zucchini Bread at least 4 times. I have 2 loaves in the oven right now. I always freeze one for next month. It freezes great. I made today’s with peanuts & plant based chocolate chips. Thanks so much for sharing. We love it!”

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Reader Maureen says, “This is the exact same recipe as my grandmother [born 1900] who put toasted walnuts and a table spoon of molasses in her zucchini bread. Thank you!”

About this Homemade Zucchini Bread Recipe:

  • Flavor: What we love out zucchini bread is that it is loaded with shredded veggies, but you can’t taste them. This bread has a simple, sweet flavor with a hint of cinnamon. But you can rest easy knowing there is vegetables inside!
  • Texture: You never have to worry about this bread being dry. With the oil, eggs and fresh zucchini, it bakes up with a light crumb and perfectly moist texture.
  • Method: This recipe bakes in two 8.5×4.5 inch loaf pans, which is perfect because you can keep one and bless someone else with the other. It’s an easy zucchini bread recipe!

You may also love our zucchini boats!

Ingredients for Zucchini Bread

My Grandma's Zucchini Bread Recipe - Over 60 years old! (3)

A few notes about the ingredients:

  • Use any type of oil: canola oil, vegetable oil or even melted coconut oil.
  • I’ve not tried using any sugar substitute in this recipe.
  • An all-purpose gluten-free flour should work well for this quick bread.
  • Eggs will mix in best if they are at room temperature.
  • To deepen the flavor slightly, use half brown sugar and half granulated sugar.

Do you grate the whole zucchini for bread?

Slice off and discard both ends of the zucchini. Otherwise you can use the whole zucchini.

Do you leave the skin on zucchini when making bread? Although you may be tempted to peel the zucchini for bread, save yourself a few minutes. You won’t taste the peel. Yes, you may see just a hint of green here and there, but the zucchini tenderizes in the bread and you won’t notice a texture difference by keeping the peel on.

What about the zucchini seeds? If the zucchini is extra large with big seeds, you may want to cut out and discard the very center of the zucchini to get rid of the seeds. If they are small, they’ll just grate right into the bread and no one will know the difference.

How do you process zucchini for baking?

We’ve used several different methods:

  • Food processor. Cut the stem of the zucchini off along with just a bit of the bottom of the zucchini. Then use the shredding disc, or if you have a small food processor you can cut the zucchini into chunks before pulsing just a few times.
  • Box grater. Zucchini is soft and easy to shred. We use the side of the grater with the largest holes.
My Grandma's Zucchini Bread Recipe - Over 60 years old! (4)

How to Make Zucchini Bread

There are 5 simple steps to making zucchini bread:

  • Shred the zucchini.
  • Mix the wet ingredients in a large bowl.
  • Mix the dry ingredients in a small bowl.
  • Combine the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
  • Divide the bread batter between two greased and floured loaf pans, sprinkle the top with cinnamon sugar and bake.
My Grandma's Zucchini Bread Recipe - Over 60 years old! (5)
My Grandma's Zucchini Bread Recipe - Over 60 years old! (6)
My Grandma's Zucchini Bread Recipe - Over 60 years old! (7)
My Grandma's Zucchini Bread Recipe - Over 60 years old! (8)
My Grandma's Zucchini Bread Recipe - Over 60 years old! (9)

Baking tip

If you find the bread getting too brown on top during baking, cover the top loosely with aluminum foil as it finishes baking. This will help prevent the bread from browning any more.

My Grandma's Zucchini Bread Recipe - Over 60 years old! (10)

Storage Instructions

  • Room temperature: Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 48 hours.
  • Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before eating.
  • Freezer: Freeze the loaf whole or sliced in an airtight container for up to 2 months.Thaw at room temperature before eating.

Is it better to freeze zucchini or zucchini bread?

Both methods work really well. We’ve frozen whole loaves of zucchini bread and also frozen bags of grated zucchini.

If you choose to freeze grated zucchini, remember that as it defrosts you’ll end up with a lot of water. Drain the zucchini in a colander to get out excess water, but don’t press it dry. You want some of that moisture to remain so that the bread bakes properly.

You may also love our pumpkin bread and banana bread based off of my grandma’s zucchini bread recipe.

My Grandma's Zucchini Bread Recipe - Over 60 years old! (11)

My Grandma's Zucchini Bread Recipe - Over 60 years old! (12)

Zucchini Bread Recipe

4.69 from 35 votes

My Grandma's Zucchini Bread recipe is not only easy, but bakes up moist and full of comforting flavor. It makes two loaves and freezes well.

Servings 20

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

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Ingredients

Optional topping:

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Grease and flour a 8.5×4.5" loaf pan.

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla and zucchini in a bowl. Set aside. 1 cup canola oil, ,2 cups granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 3 large eggs, 2 cups grated zucchini

  • In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon. 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix with a rubber spatula just until combined. Do not over mix.

  • Divide the batter between the two prepared pans.

  • In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon sugar topping. Sprinkle over the top of the batter. ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

  • Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean. The internal temperature of the bread should be about 200ºF.

Video

Notes

Add in 1 cup of nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips, as desired. Our favorite addition is mini chocolate chips.

Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.

The calories shown are based on the recipe making 2 loaves, each cut into 10 slices. One serving is 1 slice of zucchini bread. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**

Nutrition

Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 183mg | Potassium: 86mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 67IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg

Author Julie Clark

Course Bread

Cuisine American

Calories 268

Keyword how to use zucchini, quick bread recipe, zucchini loaf cake

Have you tried this recipe?

Share a review below or share on Instagram with the tag #tastesoflizzyt.

Zucchini Bread Variations

You can add in whatever you want in this bread-chocolate chips, nuts, raisins-whatever you choose. Or, you can eat it plain, which we’ve done many times. Here are a few fun ideas:

  1. Chocolate Chips and Walnuts: Adding semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped walnuts creates a contrast of textures and flavors.
  2. Lemon and Blueberry: Add lemon zest and fresh blueberries to the batter. The tartness of the blueberries and the zing of the lemon zest will make your taste buds dance.
  3. Coconut and Pineapple: For a tropical twist, mix in shredded coconut and drained crushed pineapple. You’ll feel like you’re on the beach!
  4. Cranberry and Orange Zest: Fresh or dried cranberries paired with orange zest will add a delicious flavor that will remind you of Christmas.
  5. Cinnamon Streusel Ribbon and Topping: Fill the loaf pans half full, then make a mixture of butter, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Sprinkle half of this over the batter, fill the pans with the remaining batter, and sprinkle the rest of the sugar crumbs on top.
  6. Carrot and Raisin: Think Easter time! Grate some carrots and add them to the batter, along with raisins. It pairs well with the cinnamon.
  7. Dark Chocolate and Chili: For those who love a hint of heat, mix in dark chocolate chunks and a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper. It’s a fabulous spicy and sweet combo.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many zucchini do you need for two cups shredded?

Every zucchini is just a little different in size. This recipe calls for two cups of shredded zucchini. You’ll need about 2 medium size zucchinis to make 2 cups of grated zucchini.

Be sure to measure the zucchini after you grate it to be sure you have 2 cups.

Is zucchini bread good for you?

Well…it does have a vegetable in it. It’s always great when you can hide vegetables in food. But it is a quick bread, which is pretty much like zucchini cake so I don’t think we can say it is good for you.

But a slice here and there won’t hurt you too much either.

Can I reduce the sugar or oil in this bread?

I would not reduce the oil. It’s what helps make this bread soft and tender. You can try reducing the sugar by ⅓ cup if you’d like.

How do you keep zucchini bread moist after baking?

Wrap the cooled loaf in plastic wrap, then place it in another airtight container or plastic freezer bag.

Other Zucchini Recipes

My Grandma's Zucchini Bread Recipe - Over 60 years old! (2024)

FAQs

How long does homemade zucchini bread last? ›

Zucchini bread will keep for about one week stored in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container (or plastic bag). As stated above, the absolute safest way to store zucchini bread is in the refrigerator. Some zucchini bread recipes make a very moist (and sometimes wet) zucchini bread.

Should you squeeze water out of zucchini for bread? ›

Squeezing is optional.

But unless your zucchini is excessively juicy, squeezing the squash could be removing some of the moisture you really do want in the bread. It's up to you, though. Squeeze for lighter, drier bread. Leave it as is for denser, moister bread.

Why does my zucchini bread fall apart when I cut it? ›

The most common reason for zucchini breadand other quick breads (and cakes) to collapse as they cool is the ingredients are too vigorously or quickly mixed, which incorporates lots of less stable air bubbles into the batter.

How many zucchini for 2 cups grated? ›

You need 2 cups of grated zucchini for the recipe, so you will need about 3 small zucchini, 2 medium zucchini, or 1 large zucchini.

How long does homemade zucchini last? ›

Zucchini thrives in a dry environment, so pop it into the crisper drawer whole, preferably in a plastic or paper bag with one end open for ventilation. The minimal humidity will keep it from going bad. Stored properly, it'll last one or two weeks, though you'll probably see the skin shrivel as the days pass.

What is the best way to store homemade zucchini bread? ›

HOW TO STORE. This zucchini bread recipe should keep for at least 2 or 3 days at room temperature. You just want to wrap it tightly or keep it in an airtight container, so it doesn't get stale. If your bread is still hanging around after 3 days, you might want to refrigerate it.

When you shred zucchini for bread do you peel it first? ›

But how do you make a great loaf? These tips can help. Don't peel the zucchini – Yes, it's tempting to remove the zucchini's skin, but there is no need to do that. Zucchini melts into the bread, so peeling is just an unnecessary step.

Does zucchini have to be peeled for zucchini bread? ›

There's no need to peel the zucchini or remove the seeds. You also shouldn't press or squeeze any of the excess moisture out of it. You want all that to go into the bread!

Why do you soak zucchini in salt water? ›

Salt causes zucchini rounds to release excess water. This important extra step helps the zucchini to sauté rather than stew in its own juices.

Why is my zucchini bread wet in the middle? ›

Why does zucchini bread sink in the middle. One of the most frustrating issues with zucchini bread is when it sinks in the center as it cools. It can look perfect coming out of the oven, but soon starts to deflate… The main issue here is that the bread just isn't cooked through.

What do I do if my zucchini bread is too dry? ›

Heat the oven to 350 F, return the bread to the oven, and bake for another 10 to 20 minutes. This will work even if the loaf has cooled, which is similar to par-baking bread.

How to keep breading from falling off zucchini? ›

Transfer the breaded zucchini onto a baking sheet or large plate and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 3 hours. This will allow the breadcrumbs to really stick to the zucchini.

How to shred zucchini without a box grater? ›

Chop the pieces into two-inch (five cm) squares and toss them into the food processor. Fill it up to the top. Pulse your food processor for 30 seconds or insert the squash through the shredding attachment. Check to see if your zucchini shreds are small enough.

What is the fastest way to shred zucchini? ›

Hands down, the easiest and fastest way to shred a zucchini is with a box grater. In this step-by-step guide with photos, I'll teach you how to shred zucchini in four easy steps. I'll also give you plenty of healthy shredded zucchini recipes, plus show you how to freeze leftover shredded zucchini for later.

Can you grate zucchini with a cheese grater? ›

Place a box grater or cheese grater on a plate or cutting board. Shred the zucchini on the large holes. Step three: Remove excess liquid. If you're freezing zucchini, or plan to use it in a recipe that requires you to remove some of its liquid, put a double layer of cheesecloth or a thin kitchen towel on your counter.

How long does homemade bread last? ›

Johanna Hartzheim, co-founder and head of product at Wildgrain, a bread and pasta delivery service, recommends eating homemade bread within three days but says it will last up to a week. "The bread will start to dry up and become a bit harder over time, but it takes much longer until it becomes moldy," she says.

How many days does homemade banana bread last? ›

Wrapped well and stored at room temperature, banana bread will last about five days. If stored in the fridge, it should last a full week. A frozen loaf of banana bread will last up to a year in the freezer, wrapped well with storage wrap and aluminum foil.

Is it OK to freeze zucchini bread? ›

To freeze your baked zucchini bread: wrap the completely cooled (sliced or unsliced) loaf in a couple of layers of plastic wrap. To maintain the bread's freshness while it's frozen, store the wrapped loaf in a freezer food storage bag. Baked zucchini bread can be frozen for up to 6 months.

Can you freeze zucchini bread in foil pans? ›

Foil pans work well for freezing foods you'll re-heat in the oven. You can bake food in foil pans and then freeze it in the baking pan. Cover pan tightly with freezer-quality foil, paper, plastic wrap or a plastic bag. Plastic freezer/microwave safe containers are a good choice for foods you'll reheat in the microwave.

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