Healthier Snickerdoodle Zucchini Bread

This healthier Snickerdoodle zucchini bread recipe is the perfectly balanced, moist zucchini bread! With browned butter, healthy vegetable oil, whole grain flour, reduced sugar a crunchy, sweet sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top that sinks creating a lovely ribbon of cinnamon goodness in the bread!

What is it about zucchini or banana quick breads? Why are they so darned delicious? The moisture that zucchini or bananas impart is amazing, they don’t really change the flavor and heck, don’t you just FEEL healthier eating things with zucchini and bananas in it?

Looking for other ways to use bumper crop zucchini this summer and fall? These are some of our families favorite ways to use zucchini… Lemon Zucchini Bread or Italian Spaghetti Sauce, and even Chili!!

I have adapted this recipe from Southern Plate, probably because I love Snickerdoodles, I mean, what’s not to love; a buttery sugar cookie, rolled in crunchy cinnamon sugar and baked to chewy perfection. But I did want to make it a smidge healthier!

JOIN THE FRESH COOKY ON PINTEREST

I changed up my favorite Snickerdoodle recipe slightly — give it a try! Cookie Butter Snickerdoodles.

I always try to add a bit more whole grains where I am able, maybe reduce sugar, if I can!

Snickerdoodle Zucchini Bread Ingredients

• unsalted butter (the real deal)
• avocado or grapeseed oil (try coconut oil orother vegetable oil)
• eggs
• light or dark brown sugar, dark brown will lend a bit more of a molasses flavor
• pure cane sugar
• pure vanilla extract
• all purpose unbleached flour
• light whole wheat flour (like a light whole wheat, whole wheat pastry flour or regular whole wheat)
• oat flour
• cinnamon
• allspice
• baking soda, baking powder and sea salt
• zucchini, grated

Do You Peel Zucchini for Bread?

Not at all, in fact, I love when I can keep the skins on veggies and fruit, it brings added nutrients and fiber to the recipe.

⭐️  FREE, DELICIOUS RECIPES? YES, PLEASE!  ⭐️ 

My first thought with this was to use all butter for this recipe in place of the oil, from what I have read using oil allows a little longer “shelf life” in baked goods, but butter imparts that amazing, buttery flavor and crumb.

I decided to compromise with the health benefits of avocado oil and the amazing nutty depth of browned butter. And was I happy I did!

Then instead of all granulated sugar, I subbed out brown sugar, I used light because I had run out of dark brown sugar, but either would be delicious in this healthy zucchini bread recipe.

⭐️  FREE, DELICIOUS RECIPES? YES, PLEASE!  ⭐️ 

Substitutions for even healthier bread

• use all butter, browning or melting it (you could try creaming softened butter with the sugar as well, giving you a lighter, “muffin-like” texture
• use all vegetable or coconut oil in place of butter
• omit brown sugar and use all granulated sugar
• reduce the sugar by ½-¾ cup and add 1/2 applesauce or 1 mashed banana for sweetness
• change up flours; try all whole wheat, all oat, all unbleached, a combination of almond, oat and whole wheat…you might even get away with using a good Gluten Free All-Purpose flour and some oat flour. Quickbreads are pretty forgiving! You can see how easy it is to change flours in my Gluten Free (or gluten full) “Ugly” Coffee Cake recipe.

Baking Snickerdoodle Bread at High Altitude vs. Sea Level

I bake at high altitude, Mile High actually, so I typically adjust my baked goods by increasing the temperature by 25 degrees and baking a little less time. But always, stick a toothpick or knife in to see if your quickbread is finished!

If baking at sea level, bake at 350 until a knife or toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 45-55 minutes.

TWO LOAF ZUCCHINI BREAD RECIPE

This may seem like it has a lot of sugar, until you realize that you are getting two large loaves from the recipe. And see above under Substitutions for ideas to reduce the sugar.

I like quick bread recipes that yield two loaves so I can surprise a friend with a fresh baked loaf of quick bread, or freeze one for a chilly day when we need a little snack.

Make your Snickerdoodle bread go further by slicing the loaf in half, wrap with a piece of parchment paper, tie with a string or ribbon and adorn with something from your garden or pantry.

Here I used cinnamon sticks, garland, fresh thyme and plain twine, be creative. A daisy, black-eyed Susan, rosemary, lavender, or colored ribbon would have been pretty too!

If you Like gifting food, check these out!

Continue to Content

Great Homemade Food Gifts

Homemade DIY Vanilla Extract

This Homemade Vanilla Extract is so stinkin' easy to make and is so much richer and better than store bought, economical and makes a great gift!

Get the Recipe

3 Easy to Make DIY Gifts for Cooks

Photo Credit: nourishandnestle.com

If you have friends or family members who like to spend time in their kitchen, you are so very lucky! Cooks and foodies are the easiest people to shop for…bar none. There is always some kitchen gadget, pot or appliance that a foodie ‘needs’. Am I right? These 3 recipes are perfect gifts!

Continue Reading

Homemade Bourbon Vanilla Extract

Homemade bourbon vanilla extract is deliciously smooth and so easy to make. Two ingredients and some time is all you need! Great for gift giving.

Get the Recipe

Bourbon Caramel Vanilla Sauce

Continue Reading

Rich & Chewy Hot Fudge Sauce

A sublime, rich, chewy hot fudge sauce. Warmed it melts onto your ice cream, cooling into a thick, chewy fudge.

Get the Recipe

Instant Pot Homemade Elderberry Syrup (+ Stovetop Instructions)

A spoonful of Homemade Elderberry Syrup every day will help boost your immune system, preventing and treating flu and colds. Instant Pot or Stovetop

Get the Recipe

Hibiscus Simple Syrup

This Hibiscus Simple Syrup adds a subtle floral, lemony and slightly tangy flavor to craft cocktails, Italian sodas, iced-teas, buttercream and ice cream.

Get the Recipe

Cranberry Simple Syrup

The crown jewel of simple syrups, this cranberry simple syrup is all natural and made with just 3 ingredients. The ideal and festive mixer for your holiday drinks!

Get the Recipe

If you like quick breads, check out even more delicious quick bread recipes below the recipe card!

⭐️  FREE, DELICIOUS RECIPES? YES, PLEASE!  ⭐️ 

Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️star rating in the recipe below!

Continue to Content

Healthier Snickerdoodle Zucchini Bread

Yield: 2 loaves

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Bake Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

This healthier Snickerdoodle zucchini bread recipe is the perfectly balanced, moist zucchini bread! With browned butter, healthy vegetable oil, whole grain flour and sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top that sinks to create a delicious ribbon of cinnamon sugar goodness!

Print

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, browned (the real deal, no substitutions other than you may use salted butter)
• 1/2 cup avocado or grapeseed oil (try coconut oil orother vegetable oil)
• 3 eggs, large
• 1 cup light or dark brown sugar, dark brown will lend a bit more of a molasses flavor
• 3/4 cup pure cane sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose unbleached flour*
• 1 cup light whole wheat flour, sometimes called white whole wheat, or may use regular whole wheat (I used Bob's Red Mill Ivory Whole Wheat Flour)
• 1/2 cup oat flour
• 2 heaping teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 cups zucchini, grated (about 1 large zucchini)

Topping and Cinnamon Sugar Layer

• ⅓ cup granulated sugar (up to ½ cup)
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° (375° for high altitude or reduce by 25 degrees for dark loaf pans). Grease and flour two standard sized loaf pans OR spray lightly with oil, and press in parchment paper (much easier cleanup)
2. Beat the following in a large mixing bowl; oil, browned butter, eggs, sugar and vanilla until combined. Careful you have cooled your butter slightly, so you don't scramble your eggs.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flours, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Pour the flour mixture into the the liquid mixture, stirring or beating until combined. Batter will be very thick and sticky, add zucchini and beat or stir to combine.
4. In a small bowl, stir together cinnamon and sugar topping ingredients and set aside.
5. Scoop half the batter into prepared loaf pans and sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar to great your "ribbon". Then spread the rest of the batter evenly between the two pans sprinkling with balance of cinnamon sugar.
6. Bake at for 45-55 minutes (longer for sea level or less for higher altitudes). Remove from oven when knife inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan for 15 minutes, then invert or use parchment paper to lift out and cool completely.
7. Store in baggie or on counter for 2-3 days, fridge for up to 10 days or freezer up to 3 months.

Notes

*if preferred you may make this with all purpose flour, the texture and flavor will be a bit lighter, but still good. I haven't tried, but Gluten Free All-purpose flour typically can be substituted with good success.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Silicone Spatula Set - Heat Resistant BPA FREE
• 
  100pcs Unbleached Parchment Paper Baking Liners Sheets
• 
  USA Pan Bakeware Aluminized Steel Loaf Pan 1140LF 8.5 x 4.5 x 3 Inch, Small, Silver
• 
  KitchenAid KHM7210CU 7-Speed Digital Hand Mixer with Turbo Beater II Accessories and Pro Whisk - Contour Silver
• 
  Anchor Hocking 2 Quart Glass Batter Bowl With Lid (81106L11)
• 
  Pampered Chef Small Batter Bowl - 32 ounces

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 32 slices Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 140Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 126mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 2g

The nutritional information is estimated and may not be entirely accurate, at times it pulls information for suggestions and options which may increase calories, etc.

Did you make this recipe?

Go ahead, MAKE MY DAY! PIN on Pinterest and Comment on the blog!

JOIN THE FRESH COOKY ON PINTEREST

GET FREE RECIPES DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX!
Love Wholesome & Delicious Recipes?
Follow along on Pinterest ★ Instagram ★ Facebook ★

Continue to Content

More great Quickbreads

Cinnamon Crunch Scones

These small batch, wholegrain Cinnamon Crunch Scones are a soft and tender cream-based scone topped with an amazing, buttery brown sugar cinnamon crunch crumb topping.

Get the Recipe

Baked Cinnamon Crunch French Toast

This scrumptious baked cinnamon crunch french toast topped with a mouthwatering cinnamon crumb crunch topping is the perfect make ahead breakfast! Whether for a special occasion, a holiday breakfast, or just a lazy weekend morning, this is a breakfast casserole recipe you need to have in your recipe box.

Get the Recipe

Pumpkin Bread with Browned Butter Maple Frosting

It's PUMPKIN season!!  This tender, moist pumpkin bread with maple browned butter glaze is delightful! Reduced sugar, full of aromatic spices, it'll become a family favorite

Get the Recipe

Zucchini Lemon Bread with Lemon Glaze

A delightful citrus twist on the traditional zucchini bread. Not too sweet, loaded with zucchini, whole wheat flour and brightened with zesty lemons.

Get the Recipe

Banana Nutella Swirl Bread

A mouth-watering, moist banana bread with a hidden surprise; a lovely swirl of chocolate-y Nutella in the middle.

Get the Recipe

Easy Beer Bread

This EASY Beer Bread recipe is one of the easiest bread recipes around. Using just 6 common pantry ingredients, no rise time and less than an hour to bake. It's the perfect bread for every meal, BBQ, Picnic, Cookout or Party! 

Get the Recipe

Moist Banana Graham Oat Bread

A moist banana bread recipe with whole grain flours, ripe bananas and low sugar. Perfect before or after school snack

Get the Recipe

Sweet Buttermilk Cornbread

A deliciously succulent cornbread, with a slightly sweet and tender crumb; serve warm dripping with butter and honey. Is a great side with chili, soups or stews.

Get the Recipe