Carrot Zucchini Quick Bread

The theme for this month's Home Baker's Challenge was quick breads. Quick breads are breads that do not use yeast and are leavened with other leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda. Unlike yeast breads, quick breads do not require kneading or rising and they rise when baked. This month's host Priya suggested few interesting quick bread recipes, from which I tried the carrot zucchini bread.

This is the first time I'm trying a quick bread with veggies and I'm glad I did. The carrot zucchini bread turned out soft and moist. It tasted more between a bread and a cake with a light hint of spices and the right amount of sweetness. This quick bread is ideal to serve with your evening tea or coffee. Let's see how to make this delicious quick bread with carrot and zucchini.

CARROT ZUCCHINI BREAD RECIPE

{ Quick bread with carrot, zucchini and spices }
Recipe Source ~ Alida's Kitchen
Makes a 9x5 loaf

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Ingredients

¾ cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
2 eggs
¼ cup olive oil
¼ unsweetened applesauce
¾ cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ cup grated zucchini
1 ½ cup grated carrot

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180° C | 350° F. Grease a 9x5 loaf pan and set aside. Squeeze out the excess water from zucchini after grating.

2. In a bowl, whisk all-purpose flour, wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg.

3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs. Add oil, applesauce, vanilla and whisk until well blended. Add sugar and whisk until combined.

4. Stir the carrot and zucchini into the mixture. Then add the flour mixture and gently fold until just combined.

5. Pour into the prepared loaf pan and bake for about 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

6. Let the bread cool in pan for 10 to 15 minutes. Then move to wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes and Tips

• It is important to remove any excess moisture from carrot and zucchini after grating. Otherwise the bread will turn out too moist.
• Do not over-mix the batter, otherwise the bread will out tough.
• You can also add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans.