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Zucchini Walnut Bread

Zucchini walnut bread with toasted walnut pieces baked into a moist, spiced loaf. The golden crumb stays tender while crunchy walnuts add contrast in every slice.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
cooling 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Calories: 330
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry ingredients
  • 1.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg
Wet ingredients
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 0.5 cup vegetable oil
  • 0.25 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1.5 cup zucchini grated (unsqueezed) for extra moisture
Walnuts
  • 1 cup walnuts roughly chopped and lightly toasted
  • 1 walnut halves for top (optional)

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Prep and toast
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9x5 loaf pan.
  2. Toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, until fragrant, then let cool.
Mix the batter
  1. Whisk all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together.
  2. Beat granulated sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, sour cream, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  3. Stir in grated zucchini (unsqueezed) until evenly distributed.
  4. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined, then fold in toasted walnuts.
Bake and cool
  1. Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan and arrange walnut halves on top if desired.
  2. Bake at 350°F for 55–65 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
  3. Cool the loaf for 20 minutes before slicing, so the crumb sets and slices cleanly.

Notes

For the best tender crumb, grate the zucchini without squeezing out liquid, since it keeps the loaf moist. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days; freeze slices for up to 2 months. For a dairy-light option, replace sour cream with an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt (thickness helps the batter set similarly).