Oh, hello there! I’m absolutely thrilled you’ve landed here. Today, I want to share a recipe that’s become a real favorite in my home: Spiced Chocolate Zucchini Bread Orange Walnuts. It’s a mouthful to say, I know, but trust me, it’s even more delightful to eat! Imagine a bread that’s incredibly moist, with that deep, comforting chocolate flavor. Now, add in a little warmth from spices, a bright burst of orange, and a lovely crunch from walnuts. It’s just perfect.

Growing up in the mountains of Italy, my grandmother’s kitchen was my first classroom. I watched her turn simple ingredients into pure magic. The smells, the textures, the love she put into every dish – it all stayed with me. Those memories are the foundation of Gourmet Gusto, this little corner of the internet where I share my culinary adventures with you.

Moving to the USA sparked a new chapter, a chance to blend those timeless Italian traditions with new ideas. This Spiced Chocolate Zucchini Bread Orange Walnuts is a bit like that – a nod to classic quick bread with some lovely twists. It’s surprisingly easy to make, even for a beginner. I’ll walk you through each step, and I promise, you’ll feel like a pro in your own kitchen.

This bread is more than just a recipe; it’s a little slice of comfort. It’s perfect with your morning coffee or as an afternoon treat. Let’s get baking together, shall we?

Why You’ll Love This Spiced Chocolate Zucchini Bread Orange Walnuts

Honestly, this Spiced Chocolate Zucchini Bread Orange Walnuts is a winner for so many reasons. I just know you’re going to fall in love with it too!

It’s incredibly moist and packed with flavor.
It’s a fantastic way to sneak some veggies into your baking.
The combination of chocolate, orange, and walnuts is truly unique and delicious.
It’s surprisingly easy to whip up, even for busy days.

It’s a treat that feels a little bit fancy but is totally approachable to make at home.

Ingredients for Spiced Chocolate Zucchini Bread Orange Walnuts

Gathering your ingredients is the first exciting step! Here’s what you’ll need to make this wonderful Spiced Chocolate Zucchini Bread Orange Walnuts. Using fresh, good quality ingredients really makes a difference in the final taste.

2 cups of all-purpose flour.
1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder.
1 teaspoon of baking soda.
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder.
1/2 teaspoon of salt.
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves.
1 and 3/4 cups of granulated sugar.
1/2 cup of vegetable oil.
2 large eggs.
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
1/2 cup of buttermilk.
2 cups of grated zucchini, make sure it’s well-drained. This is key for moisture balance!
1/4 cup of fresh orange juice.
1 tablespoon of orange zest.
1 cup of chopped walnuts.

Having everything measured and ready before you start mixing makes the whole process so much smoother. Trust me on this one!

Equipment Needed

Getting your tools ready before you start baking is always a good idea!

For this Spiced Chocolate Zucchini Bread, you’ll need a standard 9×5 inch loaf pan. You’ll also want a couple of good mixing bowls, a whisk for combining things smoothly, and a wooden skewer or toothpick to check if your bread is done baking. That’s pretty much it!

How to Make Spiced Chocolate Zucchini Bread Orange Walnuts

Alright, let’s get to the fun part: making this amazing bread! Follow these steps, and you’ll have a delicious treat in no time.

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, take your 9×5 inch loaf pan and give it a good grease and flour. This helps the bread come out easily later.

In a big bowl, whisk together all your dry ingredients: the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Just a quick whisk to get them all mixed up nicely.

Now, in a different, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Get that all smooth and combined.

Time to bring them together! Add the wet ingredients from the medium bowl into the dry ingredients in the large bowl. Stir gently until they’re just combined. Don’t overmix; we don’t want a tough bread!

Next, stir in the buttermilk, the grated zucchini (remember how we talked about draining it well?), the orange juice, and the orange zest. Mix until everything is evenly distributed.

Finally, gently fold in those chopped walnuts. I love seeing them scattered throughout the batter.

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. It should fill it up nicely.

Pop the pan into your preheated oven. It will need to bake for about 50 to 60 minutes. You’ll know its ready when a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If it has wet batter on it, give it a few more minutes.

Once it’s out of the oven, let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This bit is important! Then, carefully take it out of the pan and put it on a wire rack to cool down completely before you slice into it. It’s hard to wait, I know, but it’s worth it!

Tips for Perfect Spiced Chocolate Zucchini Bread Orange Walnuts

Making this Spiced Chocolate Zucchini Bread is pretty straightforward, but a few little tips can make it absolutely perfect every time. I’ve learned these over my years in the kitchen!

First and foremost, squeeze that grated zucchini really well. Excess water can make your bread soggy. You can use paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
When you’re mixing the wet and dry ingredients, stop stirring as soon as they are just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten too much, resulting in a tougher bread.
Always test for doneness with a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center. If it comes out with wet batter, it needs more time. Crumbs are fine, though!

Following these simple things will help ensure you get a wonderfully moist and flavorful loaf.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Just a few notes on the ingredients to help you out. I always use fresh orange zest and juice for the best flavor, but bottled juice works in a pinch. Draining the grated zucchini is super important because zucchini holds a lot of water. If you skip this, your bread can turn out too wet instead of perfectly moist.

And if you’re not a fan of walnuts, or maybe you just don’t have any on hand, chopped pecans are a fantastic substitute! They add a similar lovely crunch and nutty flavor that pairs well with the chocolate and orange.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spiced Chocolate Zucchini Bread Orange Walnuts

I often get asked a few things about this Spiced Chocolate Zucchini Bread. Here are some common questions and my answers!

How should I store this bread? Once it’s completely cooled, keep it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh for about 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, pop it in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Can I use other vegetables instead of zucchini? Zucchini works best here because of its mild flavor and moisture content. Other vegetables might change the taste and texture quite a bit.

Can I make these into muffins? Absolutely! Just reduce the baking time. Start checking around 20-25 minutes. They make delicious muffins!

Can I freeze this bread? Yes! Once cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. It freezes well for up to 3 months. Just thaw on the counter when you’re ready to enjoy.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Just a quick note about the nutrition details for this Spiced Chocolate Zucchini Bread Orange Walnuts. Please remember that the information provided is just an estimate.

Things like the exact brands of ingredients you use can change the final nutritional values. So, use this as a general guide, but don’t worry too much about getting it perfect!

Share Your Creation

I would just love to see how your Spiced Chocolate Zucchini Bread Orange Walnuts turns out! Please share your photos and thoughts in the comments below. Or, if you made it, feel free to leave a rating!

Spiced Chocolate Zucchini Bread Orange Walnuts is a joyful must-make treat

Author: Lina Kohn
Total Time: 80 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (12 slices)

Print Recipe

Description

Enjoy a moist and flavorful spiced chocolate zucchini bread with the delightful additions of orange zest and crunchy walnuts.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 and 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 cups grated zucchini, well-drained
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 cup chopped walnuts

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Stir in the buttermilk, grated zucchini, orange juice, and orange zest.
Fold in the chopped walnuts.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Slice and serve.

Notes

Make sure to squeeze as much moisture as possible from the grated zucchini.
You can substitute pecans for walnuts if you prefer.
Store cooled bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Quick Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American