Spiced, sweet zucchini cake is topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting in this Zucchini Bars recipe. They’re a delicious and sweet way to enjoy your garden’s bounty.
One sign that summer is in full swing is an abundance of zucchini everywhere. I always look forward to it because it means I can make recipes like stuffed zucchini boats, parmesan zucchini, and baked zucchini spears on repeat. But savory dishes aren’t the only way to use zucchini! I also love baking with zucchini. These zucchini bars are one of my favorite zucchini desserts. They’re dense, moist, and perfectly spiced with a nice thick layer of cream cheese frosting on top. So good!
Why Everyone Needs To Try This Zucchini Bars Recipe
There are so many great things about this recipe. Here are a few of them:
- Quick & easy! These bars take just a few minutes to prep. All you need is a hand mixer! The most time-consuming part is simply waiting for the bars to cool before frosting.
- Sneak in extra veggies. Adding zucchini to baked goods is a great way to sneak in a few extra veggies. One bar won’t get you a full serving of zucchini, of course – but some is always better than none!
- Great way to use excess zucchini. It seems like there’s always more zucchini than anyone knows what to do with by late summer. These zucchini bars are one of my favorite ways to use them!
- Moist & dense. Zucchini adds moisture to baked goods, and these bars are no exception. They’re moist, dense, and so tender. Paired with the cream cheese frosting…SO good!
Recipe Ingredients
Besides fresh zucchini, these bars require just a few basic pantry staples. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
Bars
- Brown sugar – The brown sugar adds richness and moisture to the bars.
- Butter – I usually opt for unsalted butter in baked goods but either works here.
- Vanilla
- Eggs
- Flour
- Baking soda – Helps the bars rise in the oven.
- Cinnamon – Adds a warm flavor that works nicely with the brown sugar.
- Zucchini – Shredded and drained. The zucchini adds moisture and makes these bars nice and dense.
Frosting
- Butter – Adds richness to the frosting.
- Cream cheese – Use full-fat brick cream cheese.
- Vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar – Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting.
How To Make Zucchini Bars
These bars are so quick and easy to make. All you need is a hand mixer! The printable version of the instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray the pan with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper.
- Make the batter. Combine the brown sugar, butter, vanilla, and egg with an electric mixer. Stir in the flour, baking soda, and cinnamon. Add the shredded zucchini.
- Bake. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Add the frosting. Beat the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until combined. Whip in the powdered sugar. Spread over the cooled bars. Enjoy!
Tips & Variations
Here are a few things to keep in mind when making this zucchini bars recipe.
- Drain the zucchini. After shredding the zucchini, be sure to drain it well on paper towels. This helps to remove excess moisture that would make the bars a little too wet. Even after draining, the zucchini has lots of moisture left to add to the bars.
- Cool before frosting. All the zucchini bars to cool completely before adding the frosting. If they are still warm, the frosting will melt.
- Use parchment paper. I like to use parchment paper in the pan and leave an overhang on two sides. This makes it easier to remove the bars from the pan.
- Add some nuts. Nuts make a great addition to these bars! I’m partial to walnuts but any will work.
Proper Storage
Due to the frosting, these zucchini bars need to be stored in the fridge in an airtight container. They are best enjoyed within 3 days. You can enjoy them cold or let them come to room temperature first.
More Zucchini Desserts To Try
Zucchini Bars
Ingredients
Bars
- 1 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 cups shredded zucchini drained
Cream Cheese Frosting
- ½ cup butter softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray an 8-inch square pan with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl using an eclectic mixer combine the brown sugar, butter, vanilla and egg.
- Mix in the flour, baking soda and cinnamon. Stir in the zucchini.
- Spread the batter into the pan.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Cool completely.
Make the Frosting
- In a mixing bowl using an electric mixer combine the butter, cream cheese and vanilla extract until combined.
- Next whip in the powdered sugar.
- Spread over the bars. Slice and serve!
Last Step:
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