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Easy Lemon Zucchini Bread Recipe

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

Keywords: lemon zucchini bread, easy zucchini bread, lemon bread, moist quick bread, zucchini recipes, citrus bread, gluten free lemon bread