Orange Zucchini Bread with Orange Glaze Recipe
This Orange Zucchini Bread is a moist and flavorful loaf that combines the freshness of zucchini with a bright citrus twist from orange zest and juice. Topped with a sweet orange glaze, it’s a perfect treat for breakfast, snack, or dessert, offering a delightful balance of moist texture and zesty sweetness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 10-12 slices) 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Zucchini Bread
- 2 cups grated zucchini (about 1 medium zucchini)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (from 1 large orange)
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
For the Orange Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Prepare the Zucchini: Grate the zucchini using a box grater and then squeeze out any excess moisture with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to prevent the bread from becoming too soggy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until evenly combined to ensure a uniform rise and flavor.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the vegetable oil (or melted butter), orange zest, and orange juice, mixing well to incorporate all the flavors.
- Make the Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, folding gently. Then fold in the grated zucchini until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
- Bake the Bread: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper. Pour in the batter, smoothing the top evenly. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Bread: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
- Prepare the Orange Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and optional orange zest until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze the Bread: Drizzle the orange glaze evenly over the cooled bread. Allow the glaze to set for about 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Make sure to squeeze out as much water as possible from the zucchini to avoid a soggy loaf.
- You can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture.
- Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract can enhance the flavor if desired.
- For a nutty crunch, consider folding in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans.
Keywords: orange zucchini bread, zucchini bread with orange glaze, moist zucchini bread, citrus zucchini bread
