This Orange Zucchini Bread Recipe is moist and delicious with a hint of orange flavor. It’s a tried and true recipe you’ll be proud to serve your family. It freezes well.
This is a classic zucchini bread with orange flavor and a hint of cloves and cinnamon making it the perfect flavor combination. Because it has fresh orange juice and zest, the orange flavor shines through.
Enjoy this fresh zucchini bread warm or cold out of the refrigerator. It’s wonderful with a hot cup of coffee!
If you’ve got a vegetable garden, you’re probably always looking for zucchini recipes. This is a great way to use up your zucchini from your zucchini plants!
You may also like Lemon Zucchini Bread.
Plus, it’s an easy way to get kids to eat a green veggie!!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means, if you make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission but, the price you pay is the same.
This recipe makes a single batch which is two loaves, but, you may want to make a double batch of this yummy zucchini quick bread. Just adjust the servings in the recipe card.
You can freeze the extra loaves to bring out when you have guests or cut into individual slices to take to work or for kids’ lunches.
It’s a great back to school or after school snack.
Plus, this quick bread recipe is perfect to make into mini loaves and give as gifts for the holidays with a dried orange and whole cloves wrapped in a pretty bow!
Additionally, mini loaves or muffins would make great for brunch or any parties.
Package them up pretty with a cinnamon stick and a silky bow.
Orange Zucchini Bread Recipe
*The full, printable recipe is in the recipe card at the bottom of this post where you can adjust the servings.
Ingredients
- all purpose flour
- white sugar
- cooking oil
- large eggs
- orange (for juice and zest) or substitute 4 teaspoons of orange extract
- zucchini
- baking powder
- baking soda
- cinnamon
- ground cloves
- salt
First, preheat the oven to 350F.
Then, mince or grate the fresh zucchini. Use a food processor if you have one.
If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a cheese box grater to finely shred the zucchini however, this will take quite a bit of grating to yield three cups of zucchini. Strain the juice from it using a strainer.
Put the minced or grated zucchini in a freezer bag and save it for another time if you don’t have time to make the zucchini bread now.
Then, in a large bowl, add dry ingredients: all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon and ground cloves. In a large mixing bowl, add large eggs, oil, sugar, orange juice and orange zest.
Mix together the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients. Then, add in the minced or grated zucchini while scrapping the sides of the bowl.
Next, grease two 8″x 4″x”3″ loaf pans (or mini loaf pans but, bake them for about 30-35 min.)
Then, divide batter equally into the loaf pans two thirds full with the batter which, is about half of the batter should go in each loaf pan.
Then, bake at 350F for 55-60 min. Insert a toothpick in the middle to see if it come out clean. If so, it’s done. If not, put it back for five more minutes.
Optional: Drizzle fresh orange glaze or cream cheese frosting on top.
How to Serve Moist Orange Zucchini Bread
Zucchini bread can be served any time of day- breakfast, dinner dessert or afternoon snack. But, it also is great for barbecues, potlucks and picnics. Serve it with coffee or tea. Cut loaf slices in half for a good finger dessert.
Additionally, it’s great for gift giving as I’ve mentioned above. Cook this recipe in mini foil loaf pans to give away.
Storage
Store this orange zucchini bread on your counter for 3 or 4 days. Wrap it in plastic wrap or an airtight container and put it in your refrigerator to keep it fresh longer. Also, you can put it in a plastic freezer bag and store it in your freezer for several months. Thaw it at room temperature or in the refrigerator before eating.
This Moist Orange Zucchini Bread is really a nice twist on traditional zucchini bread because it has the perfect orange/clove flavoring in it. It’s a great recipe for using up garden zucchini.
It makes a yummy back to school or after school snack for kids.
You May Also Like
Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread Recipe
See more of our desserts!
Best Moist Orange Zucchini Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 2 cups cups sugar
- 3/4 cup cooking oil
- 1 tbsp zest of one orange (I used a Naval orange)
- 4 oz fresh orange juice (or 4 tsp orange extract)
- 3 cups minced fresh zucchini, drained of juice ((2-3 small zucchini) use food processor and drain of moisture)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 3 eggs
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- First, preheat oven to 350F. Ensure rack is in middle position.
- Next, rinse and cut zucchini (skin on and with seeds) into quarters and put in a food processor. Turn on for 30 seconds or so until zucchini is minced. You may use a cheese grater but, it will take much longer by hand.
- Next, in a large mixing bowl, add sugar, oil, orange zest, orange juice and eggs. Add flour mixture one cup at a time mixing on low. Stir in minced fresh zucchini. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and stir.
- Then, grease two loaf pans (8"x 4"x 3") with cooking spray. Pour half of the batter into each loaf pan and bake at 350F for 50-60 min. Test by inserting a toothpick in the middle of the loaf. If it comes out clean, it is done. Let rest for 30 min before cutting. Serve with a dab of butter if desired. Enjoy warm or cold. Store in the refrigerator for several days. Wrap in wax paper and put in freezer bag to freeze up to 6 months.
Notes
Did You Make This Recipe?
If you made this recipe don’t forget to leave a review!
Categories:
American Recipes, Breads, Breakfast, Brunch Recipes, Desserts, Quick Breads (Sweet), Summer,
Hi Bonnie. Thanks for the suggestions. Raisins and nuts are just what my kids would complain about but, anyone can personalize this recipe to fit their tastes. Thanks for your feedback.
Think it needs some raisins and perhaps some walnuts. Very good but just shy of great.
Need the recipe again please? Misplaced it. Please email to me? thank You. Blessings. Deni
Hi Kathleen. It will work however, it will taste much like chocolate cake with little taste of zucchini. See my double chocolate zucchini bread recipe where I add 1/4 cup of cocoa.
Hi, how do you think this recipe would work if you added Hershey dark cocoa to it?
Thank you
Kathy
Thanks Carol. I’m glad you liked it. I made two batches this summer with my garden zucchini.
I think this is the best zucchini bread I have ever had. I have made it twice now. I made a loaf and some mini loaves. Perfect for sharing.