Cinnamon Roll Zucchini Bread
Cinnamon Roll Zucchini Bread is a moist, flavorful twist on classic zucchini bread combining tender shredded zucchini with a warm cinnamon sugar swirl and a sweet glaze. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, this recipe delivers a cozy cinnamon roll experience wrapped in a wholesome zucchini bread, made from simple pantry staples and easily customizable to your taste or dietary needs.
- Author: Sarah
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (12 slices) 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Can be made gluten-free and/or vegan with modifications
Main Bread Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups shredded zucchini (about 1 medium zucchini)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cinnamon Swirl Filling
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Glaze
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk (dairy or dairy-free)
- Prepare the Zucchini: Wash and shred fresh zucchini. Gently squeeze out excess moisture with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel to prevent sogginess in the bread.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with granulated sugar and vegetable oil until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract for added flavor.
- Incorporate Zucchini and Dry Mix: Fold the shredded zucchini into the wet ingredients, then gradually add the dry ingredients. Mix gently just until combined to ensure a tender crumb and avoid toughness.
- Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Pour half of the zucchini bread batter into a loaf pan, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the batter, then add the remaining batter on top. Use a knife to gently swirl the cinnamon sugar through the batter creating the signature swirl effect.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Begin checking doneness 5-10 minutes early to prevent over-baking.
- Add the Glaze: After the bread has cooled slightly, drizzle a simple glaze made by mixing powdered sugar and milk over the top. Let it set before slicing to mimic cinnamon roll icing.
Notes
- Drain the zucchini well to avoid a soggy or gummy texture in the bread.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding the dry ingredients to keep the bread tender and soft.
- Use room temperature ingredients for smoother blending and even rising.
- Start testing for doneness 5-10 minutes before the end of baking time to avoid overcooking.
- Allow the bread to cool slightly before adding the glaze to prevent it from melting off.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of loaf)
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: zucchini bread, cinnamon roll, cinnamon swirl bread, zucchini snack, sweet zucchini bread, cinnamon sugar swirl, breakfast bread