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Cinnamon Roll Zucchini Bread

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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
  • 12 tbsp milk (dairy or dairy-free)

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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

Keywords: zucchini bread, cinnamon roll, cinnamon swirl bread, zucchini snack, sweet zucchini bread, cinnamon sugar swirl, breakfast bread