Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Coconut Chocolate Zucchini Bread



My husband loves to eat little zucchini and won't touch the big ones that I wait a bit too long to pick, so I've been baking zucchini bread for the last few months. There have been lots of great zucchini recipes posted this summer and I tried many of them. I was especially attracted to the recipes that didn't use as much oil. Maria from Two Peas and Their Pod posted a delicious, healthy version with cranberries, whole wheat flour and applesauce to replace some of the oil.

Sara from Our Best Bites posted a chocolate zucchini bread that she described as "so light and moist and chocolaty that it's pretty much cake in a loaf pan." Declaring it "the one."  How could I not try "the one."

I love her version too. I loved it so much in fact that I made five different versions of it. Her original Chocolate Chocolate Chip with cinnamon topping, Chocolate Chocolate Chip without cinnamon (my kids favorite), her Spiced Zucchini Bread with a hint of orange, Orange Cherry Zucchini Bread with orange oil and cardamom, and my favorite version, inspired by Hilda's guest post on Jamie's blog Life's a Feast, Coconut Chocolate Zucchini Bread.

Fortunately, I have lots of nice neighbors who were happy to have a loaf of homemade zucchini bread no matter what the flavor. If you still have zucchini in your garden, gives this one a try!




Coconut Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Recipe adapted from Our Best Bites

2 cups flour (I used whole wheat pastry flour)
1/2 t. salt
1 1/2 t. baking soda
6 T. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup canola oil
1 C. sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
2 t. vanilla
1/2 cup sour cream
3 c. grated zucchini
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup shredded coconut

Topping:
1/3 cup shredded coconut
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans and set aside.

Combine flour, salt, baking soda, and cocoa powder in a bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.

Beat eggs, oil, sugars, and vanilla for about 30 seconds. Add sour cream and beat to combine. Mix in zucchini and coconut.

Add dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Divide batter between 2 pans. Sprinkle coconut and chocolate chips on top of batter in pans. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. (I used 4 mini loaf pans and baked them for about 35 minutes.)

Rest on a cooling rack for at least 10 minutes before you remove it from the pan. Be careful not to burn yourself on the hot chocolate chips when removing it from the pan!

26 comments:

Sara @ Our Best Bites on October 6, 2009 9:57 PM said...

Oh how I wish I was your neighbor! Those all look so amazing! I'd like to order 1 loaf of the coconut version, okay? ;)

Julie @ Willow Bird Baking on October 6, 2009 11:40 PM said...

Like Sara said above, I'm thinking about moving in next door! :) These loaves look delicious -- love the topping!

Mary on October 7, 2009 12:54 AM said...

This bread seems so nice and delicious!

Coleen's Recipes on October 7, 2009 1:13 AM said...

What an excellent taste combo!! I'll bet it is hard to "leave it alone" on the counter...haha

April on October 7, 2009 6:14 AM said...

I'm thinking that I am going to have to pick my family up and move to your neighborhood! This chocolate coconut look wonderful, and the other variations sound just as good!

Cathy on October 7, 2009 6:30 AM said...

Zucchini bread just gets better and better. This one is irristible. Love the addition of coconut and chips.

Joyce on October 7, 2009 7:16 AM said...

Coconut and chips sound delicious. I have no more zucchini left or else I would whip this up today for my neighbor. I have an elderly single gentleman in my neighborhood that I use as my official taste taster. I get to bake and enjoy a taste of the cake with him and he gets fat and I stay slim:)
Joyce

Mary Ann on October 7, 2009 7:59 AM said...

Wow! That is a lot of bread! They all sound and look fabulous. You definitely have lucky neighbors!

Happy cook on October 7, 2009 8:12 AM said...

Why was i not living next door then i would have also got one of these delicous loafs.

Vrinda on October 7, 2009 8:43 AM said...

Wow..superb..Last week on FIT tv i watched an episode making Choco Zucchini Cake.. liked the color,looks perfect ,yummm

The Blonde Duck on October 7, 2009 12:04 PM said...

Those look so pretty!

The Queen of Tocks does not reveal her own.

Katy ~ on October 7, 2009 12:05 PM said...

You are just so prolific and creative. All looks simply incredibly!

Amanda on October 7, 2009 2:11 PM said...

Good gracious Barbara, 5 different versions!? Wow! This looks amazing, and I've tried that one from Our Best Bites and it's good. I just haven't gotten it up on the blog yet LOL

DCRose on October 7, 2009 4:01 PM said...

I love cooking and baking with zucchini. I am always looking for new recipes. This is a winner. Thanks Barbara. Great@!

teresa on October 7, 2009 5:13 PM said...

coconut, chocolate and zucchini?! what a wonderful combo, this looks delicious!

Ginger on October 7, 2009 6:47 PM said...

I now know what my zucchini bread is missing. YOUR TOPPING!! I will definitely have to try it. Thanks for sharing because it takes zucchini bread to another level. YUMMY!

colehillkitchen on October 8, 2009 3:03 AM said...

ooh sounds interesting and different - I guess it's the same idea as carrot cake though, I made one yesterday, yum!! Must try this next! xxx

Sophie on October 8, 2009 9:59 AM said...

Yum! I like how this deliciously combines fall and summer flavors. All five versions do sound delicious.

Fahrenheit 350° on October 8, 2009 12:53 PM said...

Hey! I want one of those neighbors! I haven't baked any of these fabulous cakes or breads this season - I need to get on the ball!

Nutmeg Nanny on October 8, 2009 7:11 PM said...

I have had chocolate zucchini bread before but never with added coconut...delicious!!!

Bunny on October 8, 2009 7:29 PM said...

Your loaves are picture perfect!

Pam on October 8, 2009 9:47 PM said...

Now that's my kind of bread. I will be making this soon.

the ungourmet on October 8, 2009 11:43 PM said...

Those are really pretty loaves! I made a chocolate coconut cake today as well! :D

Megan on October 9, 2009 7:20 AM said...

I gotta try that chocolate coconut version. They are so pretty sitting there in their pans!

petite nyonya on October 11, 2009 12:50 AM said...

Wow, you made so many loaves! I wish I'm one of your neighbors right now ;)

Kat on October 15, 2009 9:22 AM said...

I was baking yesterday and my husband requested something with coconut. I already had a cookie recipe I was going to try so put the coconut on the back burner. I am going to try this soon as it looks great!

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