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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups grated fresh zucchini
2/3 cup melted unsalted butter
2 teaspoons baking soda
pinch salt
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
1 cup dried cranberries or raisins (optional)

Method:
1.  Preheat the oven to 350 F.  In a large bowl, mix together the sugar, eggs, and vanilla.  Mix in the grated zucchini and then the melted butter.  Sprinkle baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in.  Add the flour, a third at a time.  Sprinkle in the cinnamon and nutmeg and mix.  Fold in the nuts and dried cranberries or raisins if using.

2.  Divide the batter equally between 2 buttered 5 x 9 inch loaf pans.  Bake for 1 hour (check for doneness at 50 minutes) or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.  Cool in pans for 10 minutes.  Turn out onto wire racks to cool thoroughly. 

Makes two loaves.

I made this bread with zucchini from the local Farmer's Market at my husband's request and it was one of the best breads I have ever eaten.  First time baking and eating Zucchini bread and didn't realize what I have been missing out on for the past 33 years!  And of course, my kids loved it!
Enjoy!