Description
Carrot Apple Zucchini Bread combines vibrant carrots, sweet apples, and tender zucchini into a moist, flavorful loaf. With a hint of orange juice and aromatic spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, each bite is packed with texture and depth. This easy-to-make bread, studded with pecans, is perfect for breakfast, snacks, or sharing with friends and family. Delicious served plain or with a glaze.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of ground cloves
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 1 cup shredded zucchini
- 1 cup diced peeled apple
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 8×4 inch loaf pans.
- Squeeze excess liquid from shredded zucchini and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
- In a separate bowl, whisk melted butter and granulated sugar. Add eggs, orange juice, and vanilla extract; mix until smooth.
- Fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until combined.
- Gently stir in shredded carrots, zucchini, diced apple, and chopped pecans.
- Pour batter evenly into prepared loaf pans.
- Bake for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the tops are golden brown.
- Remove pans from the oven and cool in pans for 10 minutes; then transfer loaves to a wire rack to cool completely before icing or serving.
Notes
For nut-free bread, omit pecans or substitute with sunflower seeds. You can use coconut oil instead of butter or whole wheat flour for half the white flour for a slightly denser loaf. Dairy-free options include using plant-based butter. Prepare vegetable and fruit the day before and store in airtight containers. Store bread tightly wrapped at room temperature for 2 days, or freeze for 2 months. If the center sinks, ensure zucchini is well-drained and don’t over-mix. If loaves brown too rapidly, tent with foil.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg