Description
Savory zucchini cheddar quick bread delivers a delightful blend of garden-fresh vegetables and sharp cheese in one irresistible loaf. Hearty slices promise comfort with each bite, perfect for sharing at breakfast, brunch, or alongside afternoon tea.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups grated zucchini (about 1 medium zucchini)
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Dairy and Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk (2% recommended, but whole or non-fat works too)
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon vinegar (white or apple cider)
Seasonings and Leavening Agents:
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Warm the cooking chamber to 350F (175C), creating an ideal baking environment for the zucchini bread. Protect the baking vessel by coating with butter or layering with parchment paper.
- Liberate excess liquid from shredded zucchini by gently compressing between clean towels, preventing moisture from compromising the bread’s delicate texture.
- Synthesize dry components – flour, leavening agents, and seasoning – through vigorous whisking in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring uniform distribution.
- Craft a tangy dairy substitute by merging milk and vinegar, allowing brief chemical interaction. Integrate melted butter and egg into this mixture, creating a smooth, cohesive liquid base.
- Delicately marry wet and dry mixtures, employing gentle stirring techniques to maintain aeration and prevent gluten development.
- Introduce textural elements by carefully folding zucchini, sharp cheddar, and verdant green onions throughout the developing batter, distributing ingredients evenly.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface to establish an aesthetically pleasing and uniform profile.
- Position the pan centrally in the heated oven, allowing approximately 60 minutes of transformative baking. Monitor doneness by inserting a slender probe, which should emerge pristine when the bread reaches optimal completion.
- Implement a controlled cooling strategy: rest briefly in the pan, then transition to a wire rack, permitting complete temperature equilibration before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Squeeze zucchini thoroughly to prevent soggy bread, removing as much moisture as possible for a perfectly textured quick bread.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp white cheddar or pepper jack for unique flavor profiles that complement the zucchini.
- Consider adding herbs like thyme or rosemary to elevate the savory notes and create a more complex taste experience.
- Make the bread gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring the same delightful texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg