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Zucchini Bread with Honey Butter is the easiest summer bake! It comes together in one bowl, with no fuss. A cinnamon sugar crusted lid adds the perfect crunch to the pillowy soft slices. This bread is ultra fluffy and moist, with cozy warm flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg. This is the best zucchini bread you’ll ever have!

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I cannot even tell you how many loaves of Zucchini Bread I’ve made in my attempts to make the absolute *most* perfect recipe for you. Ok, I’ll tell – it was 14 loaves in 1 week! *Cries in dirty dishes* But – it was absolutely worth it because this bread is the most fluffy, moist, & flavorful zucchini bread you’ll ever have! It’s fairly simple, but you will need to get out your mixer. I tried it with a whisk and it just wasn’t as fluffy, but if you only have a whisk it will work. In exchange for asking you to use a mixer, I’m not asking you to squeeze excess water out of your zucchini! Just grate ‘n go. Now, let’s get into it so you can be in warm, cinnamon sugar-crusted zucchini bread heaven in no time!

Why you’ll love this Zucchini Bread:

  • Ultra Fluffy Texture – This bread bakes to perfection with the fluffiest texture you ever did see on a loaf of zucchini bread.
  • One-Bowl Recipe – Whip up this quick bread in no time, with just one bowl and simple ingredients!
  • No Blotting Required – There’s no need to use a pile of paper towels to squeeze the liquid out of the zucchini in my easy recipe.
  • Packed with Zucchini – Look no further for a great way to use up some of that zucchini overflowing from your garden – this delicious zucchini bread uses two whole cups of grated zucchini!
A stack of zucchini bread pieces showing the fluffy moist texture.

Ingredient Overview:

As always, the full recipe with measurements & directions can be found at the bottom of this post.

  • Zucchini – Grab some zucchini from your garden, your neighbor’s garden, the farmer’s market, or grocery stores. Everyone is overflowing with zucchini this time of year!
  • All-purpose flour – Spoon your flour into the measuring cup, then level it with a flat utensil for best results, or use a scale. Scooping the measuring cup directly into your flour will lead to too much flour, and a potentially dry bake.
  • Eggs – Use large eggs.
  • Vegetable Oil – Vegetable oil (or canola oil) keeps this bread ultra moist!

Recipe Variations:

  • Dairy-free – This recipe is dairy-free as written!
  • Gluten-free – I have not tried a gluten-free version of this recipe. Let me know if you do!
  • Oil – You can use olive oil or another neutral oil in place of the vegetable oil. The olive oil does give a bit of olive oil-y flavor, so if you don’t want that then I recommend using the vegetable oil.
  • Chocolate Chip – Regular size chocolate chips sank for me each time I added them. However, I suspect mini chocolate chips would work since they are smaller and lighter.
  • Zucchini Muffins – These are delicious baked as muffins. Fill liners 2/3 full, and bake for 17 to 22 minutes, checking doneness in the same way as the bread. Be sure to sprinkle cinnamon sugar on the tops for that nice crunchy lid! These are not going to dome up beautifully – they will be a bit flat on top – but they are delicious.

How to Make this Easy Zucchini Bread Recipe Step-by-Step:

Step 1: Grate Zucchini. Grate your whole zucchini, using the larger side of a box grater and set aside. No need to squeeze out excess moisture! I told ya this was going to be easy.

Zucchini being whisked into the bowl.

Step 2: Mix up the Batter. Start with the wet ingredients. In a large bowl, beat eggs on high speed with an electric mixer for 1-2 minutes, until frothy. Add the sugars, then beat on high speed for 2 minutes, until pale and thick. Beat in the oil and vanilla extract.

A bowl of frothy beaten eggs, and a bowl of thick pale egg and sugar mixture.

Step 3: Add dry ingredients and Zucchini. Fold in the dry ingredients with a silicone spatula. Stir in the grated zucchini when just a few streaks of flour remain.

Grated zucchini being folded into the batter.

Step 4: Bake. Divide batter between two prepared pans and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake as directed in the recipe card below.

The unbaked and baked loaf of zucchini bread.

This is truly the best zucchini bread you’ll ever make – I promise! The cinnamon sugar crusted lid adds the most beautiful crunch, and makes the loaf taste like a cross between a snickerdoodle and zucchini bread.

Serving + Storing the Best Zucchini Bread Recipe:

Allow loaves to cool completely at room temperature then store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, tightly covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or 4-5 days in the fridge in an airtight container

Slices of the zucchini bread propped up against the loaf.

Expert Success Tips:

  • Oven Thermometer – An oven thermometer will tell you if your oven is actually running at the temperature you set it to. Your oven may not be accurate. Accurate oven temperature is crucial for most bakes, so I leave an oven thermometer in at all times to keep an eye on my oven’s calibration.
  • Kitchen Scale – A food scale is the best way to make sure your flour is at the proper weight, since amounts will vary SO widely based on how you measure it, as well as the measuring cup you use, as they are not standardized.
  • Quickly Grate Zucchini – Check to see if your food processor has a grater attachment – it makes grating zucchini and carrots a breeze! This makes zucchini recipes (like my Zucchini Bread Pancakes and Zucchini Snack Cake) a breeze to make!

FAQs:

Can I double this recipe?

I recommend making two separate batches with this one, as it may affect the texture of the bread, and because it already makes quite a bit of batter to begin with. You would need quite a large bowl.

Can I mix this quick bread up by hand?

Yes, you can! But, it’s important to get the sugar beaten in well, so you’ll have to use a bit of elbow grease with your whisking.

A top-down view of a stack of zucchini bread slices.

Special Tools:

  • Loaf Pan – Use a metal loaf pan for this recipe, as it conducts heat better than glass.
  • Cordless Mixer – A cordless mixer makes baking a breeze!
A slice of zucchini bread broken in half to show the fluffy interior.

More Zucchini Recipes to Love:

A slice of honey buttered zucchini bread on a plate.

More Quick Bread Recipes to Love:


Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment & star rating! 

Click the little stars in the header of the recipe card below to leave a comment & star rating, letting me know how you liked the recipe. I take all feedback seriously, & leaving a rating helps my small business immensely!


Two halves of a slice of zucchini bread on a plate, with a swoop of honey butter.
5 from 38 votes

Cinnamon Crusted Zucchini Bread with Honey Butter

By Stephanie Simmons
Zucchini Bread with Honey Butter is the easiest summer bake! It comes together in one bowl, with no fuss, and has a cinnamon sugar crusted lid, which adds the perfect crunch to the pillowy soft slices. This bread is ultra fluffy and moist, with cozy warm flavors coming from the cinnamon and nutmeg. This is the best zucchini bread you’ll ever have!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Total: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 16 slices
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Ingredients 

  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, 210 grams
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed, 214 grams
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups grated zucchini, About 2 medium zucchini, 274 grams, or 9.6 ounces (See note!)
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled, 320 grams
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 and 1/8 tsp baking soda
  • cinnamon sugar, for topping, See note

For the Honey Butter

  • 1 stick butter, softened
  • 1-2 tbsp honey

Instructions 

  • Prep: Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line two loaf pans with parchment paper, making sure to spray with cooking spray too – so the ends of the pan are coated. Set out a stick of butter to soften for the honey butter, which you can make while the bread bakes. Grate your zucchini – do not squeeze out any of the liquid.
    2 cups grated zucchini
  • Make the Batter: Add eggs to a large mixing bowl and beat on high speed with an electric mixer for 1 and 1/2 minutes, until foamy. Add the sugars and beat on high speed for 2 minutes. The mixture will be thick and pale. Mix in the oil and vanilla on medium high speed, just until combined.
    Tip: You can use a whisk but still try to beat things as long as specified for best results. It will be a tiny bit less fluffy than if you used a mixer.
    3 large eggs, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup light brown sugar, packed, 1 cup vegetable oil
  • Finish the Batter: Add the dry ingredients – flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves and stir or mix in just until a few streaks of flour remain, then fold in the zucchini by hand.
    1 tsp vanilla, 2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 1 and 1/8 tsp baking soda
  • Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the two pans. Sprinkle a tablespoon or so of cinnamon sugar over each loaf. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a long cake tester inserted in the center of the loaf comes out with thick moist crumbs, not wet batter. If it comes out clean, you probably over-baked it. Do NOT let bread cool – it's at it's fluffiest and most delicious while it's piping hot from the oven! Use the parchment overhang to pull the bread out about 1 minute after it comes out of the oven, and set on a wire rack. Slice immediately and enjoy.
    Tip: I usually insert the cake tester into the top, then at an angle from the side down into the center to double check for any wet batter spots.
    cinnamon sugar, for topping
  • Make the Honey Butter: Soften the butter by letting it sit out on the counter as mentioned above or by microwaving for about 20 seconds in a medium mixing bowl. You want it to be just soft – not melty. Cream the butter with 1 tbsp of the honey. Taste, and if you want it sweeter, add an additional tablespoon.
    1 stick butter, softened, 1-2 tbsp honey
  • Serve & Store: Store the zucchini bread in an airtight container at room temp for 2-3 days, or in the fridge for 5-6 days. Let it come back to room temp a bit, or enjoy it cold if you prefer. Store the honey butter in a sealed container in the fridge, and let it sit out at room temp for a little while before serving, to soften! 
  • Chocolate Chips: See note in recipe variations above about using chocolate chips as it does require a small adjustment.

Notes

Measuring Zucchini: Weigh your grated zucchini for best results. But, if you’re using measuring cups, just lightly plop handfuls of it in until full. Don’t pack it in. Be sure to use a dry measuring cup, not a glass liquid one (they look like little mini pitchers with a spout). And, don’t blot out any liquid. 
Cinnamon Sugar: Use about 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of ready mixed cinnamon sugar over the top of each loaf. Or, make your own by mixing together 1 and 1/4 tsp cinnamon with 1 tbsp granulated sugar for each loaf. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 309kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 35mg, Sodium: 239mg, Potassium: 94mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 26g, Vitamin A: 82IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

Stephanie Simmons

I’m a Mom & Grandma-taught cook + baker, and I’m excited to share my love of all things food with you!

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5 from 38 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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77 Comments

  1. Cierra Ingersoll says:

    5 stars
    Great recipe! This bread turned out literally perfect, so moist but also fluffy. 10/10

    1. Stephanie Simmons says:

      So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, Cierra!

  2. Dedra says:

    5 stars
    This was the best zucchini bread I have ever had/made! Thank you for the recipe. I look forward to enjoying more recipes from you!!!

    1. Stephanie Simmons says:

      Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review, Dedra!

  3. sara says:

    5 stars
    loved this but can i split recipe in half to make one loaf and everything will be fine?

    1. Stephanie Simmons says:

      Hi Sara! Yes you can cut the recipe in half.

  4. Sindy says:

    5 stars
    This is the best zucchini bread recipe I have ever made. It’s very moist and makes 2 loaves. It freezes well.

    1. Stephanie Simmons says:

      Thanks so much for your kind words, Sindy! Happy baking!

  5. Alyssa says:

    5 stars
    This was so delicious! The cinnamon-sugar on top added the perfect crunchy top to contrast the inside. This is one of the best zucchini breads I’ve ever eaten, and for sure the best one I’ve made. Really excited to try the zucchini bread pancakes next!

    1. Stephanie Simmons says:

      So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, Alyssa! I am so appreciative of your kind review. Happy baking!

  6. Amber Luster says:

    5 stars
    This was so so good, I’ve tried a lot of zucchini bread recipes over the last few years but this one I’m saving, writing down for my recipe card and sending to family. I made a batch, tried it and liked it so much that I had to immediately make a second batch!

    1. Stephanie Simmons says:

      Thanks so much for the rave review, Amber! Happy baking!

  7. Hannah says:

    This zucchini bread is incredible! I haven’t had zucchini bread since I was a kid and this was ten times better than I remember (or maybe the recipe is ten times better too lol). I have celiac so I made it gluten free with King Arthur’s 1 to 1 flour and it turned out perfectly. I think any quality 1 to 1 GF flour would work just as well! Highly recommend.

    1. Stephanie Simmons says:

      Hi Hannah! So glad to hear this works well with gluten-free flour. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!

  8. Kim says:

    5 stars
    Stephanie’s recipes are always sure to be spot-on. Delicious and, most importantly, achievable. I love her flavor combos and this is no exception. This was delicious as always and love the addition of cinnamon sugar on top. The extra crunch adds a lovely texture but also that pop of flavor.

    1. Stephanie Simmons says:

      Thanks so much for the rave review, Kim! Always appreciated. 🙂 Happy baking!

  9. Caroline says:

    5 stars
    I don’t like zucchini bread, but my husband does, so I made this for him using frozen shredded zucchini from last year’s garden. Wow!!! Great flavor with the spices, crunchy cinnamon topping, and honey butter! I’ve discovered that I now love zucchini bread, but only this recipe though 🙂 I can’t wait to try other recipes you have!

    1. Stephanie Simmons says:

      So glad to hear that my recipe converted you to a zucchini bread lover, Caroline! Thanks so much for your kind words. Please be sure to let me know what recipes you try next! Happy baking.

  10. Caroline says:

    5 stars
    Best zucchini bread recipe! Love the cinnamon topping and I used extra! I made with frozen zucchini from last year’s garden and it turned out great! Thank you for this wonderful recipe!

    1. Stephanie Simmons says:

      Thanks so much, Caroline!