Easy Lemon Zucchini Bread Recipe
This Easy Lemon Zucchini Bread is a moist, bright, and flavorful quick bread that combines the natural sweetness of zucchini with the zesty punch of fresh lemon zest and juice. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or light dessert, it features a tender texture and refreshing citrus aroma with simple ingredients and easy steps for a delicious homemade treat.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10-15 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (approximately 10-12 slices) 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (optional with flour substitution)
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups grated zucchini (about 1 medium zucchini)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (substitute gluten-free blend for gluten-free option)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Variations
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans for a nutty twist
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or rosemary for herbal infusion
- Simple lemon glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar mixed with 2 tablespoons lemon juice for drizzling
- Reduced sugar: Use 1/2 cup sugar instead of 3/4 cup for a less sweet loaf
- Prepare your zucchini and lemon: Start by grating about 2 cups of fresh zucchini and squeezing the juice from one lemon. Don’t forget to zest the lemon first, as the zest adds the most aromatic lemon punch.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar. This will evenly distribute the leavening agents, ensuring a perfect rise.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and then whisk in vegetable oil, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest to create a fragrant, liquid base.
- Bring it all together: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture until just combined. Then fold in the grated zucchini, being careful not to overmix so the bread remains tender.
- Bake to perfection: Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool before slicing to retain moisture.
Notes
- Lightly squeeze grated zucchini to remove excess water and prevent sogginess.
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for a vibrant citrus flavor rather than bottled lemon juice.
- Mix batter just until ingredients combine to avoid overmixing and ensure a tender bread.
- Start checking for doneness at 50 minutes as oven temperatures vary.
- Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to achieve clean, neat slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of loaf)
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: lemon zucchini bread, easy zucchini bread, lemon bread, moist quick bread, zucchini recipes, citrus bread, gluten free lemon bread