Test Kitchen: Whole-Wheat Zucchini Bread

By Caroline Patrick, Graduate Nutrition Student

This week students returned to the Charles River Campus, leaving behind lazy sunny days and the comforts of home. But, alas no need to worry—zucchini bread can sweeten the transition. This indulgence is Sargent Choice approved and will have you feeling better before you can say “Dean Elmore”!

Zucchini bread is classified as a “quick bread,” meaning it uses baking soda and baking powder, rather than yeast, as its leavening source. This yields ready-to-eat bread in a fraction of the time. This bread has been adapted from Ellie Krieger’s recipe, who is a Registered Dietitian with her own show on the Food Network. Krieger made several healthy swaps that decrease the sugar and saturated fat while adding nutrition without losing flavor or decadence.

For instance, applesauce replaces some of the eggs and oil typically called for in zucchini bread. (Yep—applesauce instead of eggs!) Applesauce contains large amounts of pectin, which lends to its ability to act as a binder in recipes. In other words, the pectin keeps all the wet ingredients together, providing structure while simultaneously adding rich moisture in the baked product.

Whole-wheat flour adds nutrients, fiber, and a nutty flavor ultimately making it more satisfying. Additionally, using vegetable oil in place of butter cuts down significantly on the saturated fat content. Throw in the oh-so-nutritious omega-3 packed walnuts, and you’ve got a showstopper!

Seriously, I would like to thank the genius who thought to put zucchini into a baked good. This veggie has entered the dessert ring and it’s beating out competitors (in my pantry) with the help of a few easy, healthful substitutions.

Ultimately this recipe will have everyone clamoring for seconds—I saw it with my own eyes!

Sargent Choice Zucchini Bread
Recipe modified from Ellie Krieger

Yield: 1 loaf/12 slices (3/4” thickslice)

Ingredients
1 ½ cups whole-wheat flour
½ cup sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. nutmeg
¼ tsp. salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
2 large eggs, beaten
1 small zucchini (6 ounces), coarsely grated, about 1 ¼ cup
1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil 9”x5” loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
2. Whisk together the whole wheat flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and ¼ teaspoon salt in a large bowl. In another large bowl, whisk together oil, applesauce, and eggs.  Stir in zucchini.  Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients, mixing just enough to combine.  Stir in walnuts.
3. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until wooden skewer inserted into center comes out clean, 50-60 minutes.  Cool 15 minutes in pan, then transfer bread to rack to cool completely before slicing (if you can wait!).

Nutrition Facts per serving (1 slice):