Chocolate Zucchini Bread

I wanted to bake something last weekend - so I made two bread recipes. This is the better of the two (because of all the delicious chocolate). The bread tasted the best right after it came out of the oven. It was warm, moist, and the chocolate chips were still a little melted. This recipe was originally a cupcake recipe. I didn't change any of the ingredients or ratios. So the bread is very crumbly - like a cupcake would be (but still delicious). I also think this would have tasted good with some added nuts (e.g. walnuts). Enjoy!

Adapted from 101 Cookbooks

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 C brown sugar
• 1/4 C melted butter
• 3/4 C oil*
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 C buttermilk
• 2 C grated zucchini
• 1 C chocolate chips
• 2 C flour
• 1 C cocoa, sifted
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp allspice
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

*The recipe called for vegetable oil. 101 cookbooks suggested using unrefined, scented, all natural coconut oil. I bought coconut oil - and found out when I got home that it was refined. So, it had no coconut aroma and I was VERY disappointed (because I love coconut). So, if you're going to the coconut oil route, go for the unrefined. If you're going to vegetable oil route, use half oil, half all-natural apple sauce. It will still be as moist and delicious - and slightly better for you than using all oil.

Recipe

1. Heat oven to 350 deg F. Grease 2 loaf pans (I like to use Pam Baking Spray because its easier than buttering and then flouring a baking surface).
2. In a small to medium bowl, combine the sugar, butter, and oil. Once mixed, add the eggs, one at a time. Then add the zucchini, chocolate chips, and buttermilk. Mix until combined.
3. In a large bowl add the remaining dry ingredients (flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon). Once mixed, slowly add the wet ingredients (from step 2) until well combined.
4. Pour half of the mixture into each loaf pan.
5. Bake one at a time for approximately 35-45 minutes, until just done (or until no batter comes out on a knife inserted in the center).

Servings 2 loaves - probably 10-12 servings each?