Description
Frosted Zucchini Bars bring garden freshness right to your dessert plate with a sneaky veggie twist. Creamy cream cheese frosting and moist zucchini create a sweet treat that disappears faster than you can slice them.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cup shredded zucchini
- 8 ounce cream cheese
- 4 cup powdered sugar
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon milk or cream
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ½ cup unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter.
- Whisk 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon cloves in a medium bowl.
- Cream ½ cup butter, ½ cup vegetable oil, and 1 ¾ cups sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light and airy.
- Incorporate 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly.
- Fold 2 cups shredded zucchini and 1 cup chopped nuts (if using) into the batter gently.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly with a spatula.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350°F, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center.
- Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack for approximately 1 hour.
- Beat 8 ounces cream cheese and ½ cup butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually mix 4 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 2 tablespoons milk into the cream cheese mixture.
- Spread the frosting evenly across the cooled zucchini bars using an offset spatula.
- Cut into squares and serve at room temperature.
Notes
- Squeeze excess moisture from shredded zucchini using a clean kitchen towel to prevent soggy bars.
- Toast chopped nuts before adding them to the batter for deeper, richer flavor and extra crunch.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and butter for smoother, lump-free frosting that spreads easily.
- Store bars in the refrigerator to keep the cream cheese frosting firm and fresh for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 3.5 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg