Cinnamon Roll Zucchini Bread
Delight in the moist, sweet goodness of Cinnamon Roll Zucchini Bread—a perfect blend of spicy cinnamon swirls and fresh grated zucchini that creates a tender, flavorful bread ideal for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. This recipe balances natural moisture and nutrition with classic cinnamon roll aroma and taste, offering an easy-to-make, wholesome baked treat that you’ll want to enjoy again and again.
- Author: Nora
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Total Time: 65-75 minutes
- Yield: 1 standard 9x5 inch loaf (about 10 slices) 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Can be gluten-free with substitution; vegetarian
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups grated zucchini (fresh, squeezed of excess moisture)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend)
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Mixture
- ⅓ cup sugar (white or a mix)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Optional Add-ins
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- Chocolate chips, raisins, or dried fruits (optional)
- Cream cheese or powdered sugar glaze (optional)
- Prepare the zucchini: Grate fresh zucchini using a box grater or food processor. Use a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth to gently squeeze out excess moisture to prevent soggy bread.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and spices.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, brown sugar, white sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Fold in zucchini and dry ingredients: Gradually fold grated zucchini into the wet mixture, then slowly add the dry ingredients. Stir gently to form a thick, spiced batter without overmixing. If using nuts or other mix-ins, fold them in now.
- Prepare the cinnamon sugar swirl: Mix cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Grease a loaf pan, pour half the batter in, evenly sprinkle half the cinnamon sugar mixture on top, add the remaining batter, and finish with the remaining cinnamon sugar to create a signature swirl pattern.
- Bake until golden: Place the loaf pan in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 50–60 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean. Let the bread cool slightly before slicing.
Notes
- Use fresh zucchini for best moisture and flavor results.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense, tough bread texture.
- Layer cinnamon sugar carefully to create distinct swirls and bursts of cinnamon flavor.
- Check doneness starting at 50 minutes to prevent overbaking.
- Allow bread to cool before slicing to set the texture and avoid crumbling.
- You can customize with nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit folds.
- Optional glaze or powdered sugar dusting enhances sweetness and mimics classic cinnamon rolls.
- To reduce sweetness, cut down sugar or omit the cinnamon sugar swirl.
- Substitute gluten-free flour and plant-based products for dietary needs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10th of loaf)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: Cinnamon Roll Zucchini Bread, Zucchini Bread, Cinnamon Swirl Bread, Moist Zucchini Bread, Breakfast Bread, Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread, Cinnamon Swirl