Light, tender Zucchini Bread Mini Loaves with walnuts are a quick and easy quick bread that is perfect for gift giving!
Every Summer my Grandma would have a small garden; she only grew a few things because she didn't have much of a green thumb.
She would always grow zucchini because she made the best zucchini bread.
Throughout the Summer, Grandma would make loaves of her zucchini bread to give to family, neighbors, and she would always make sure to freeze some to have throughout the rest of the year. It was just the best.
Often the zucchini in the garden would get large, almost the size of baseball bats.
I don't think she ever used small, regular size zucchini. Maybe she just preferred the large, overgrown ones.
I am not a big fan of using those large, overgrown zucchinis. I prefer to use a medium sized zucchini for baking.
I love creating vegan versions of my family favorite recipes from one I was a child. One of the recipes that I really wanted to veganized was my Grandma's Zucchini Bread recipe.
A few years ago, I finally created a version zucchini bread based on my grandma's recipe. It is now become a staple! It is such a delicious quick bread.
I have tweaked the recipe from the original version just a tiny bit. The originally version called for eggs and since I wanted the bread to be vegan, I simply subbed two flax eggs.
The original recipe makes two standard sized loaves. Instead of baking the bread in two bread pans, I decided that it would be fun to create mini loaves, which are the perfect size for gift giving!
I found this great 4 mini-loaf pan at an estate sale a few years back. It measures 5 X 3.
If your mini loaf pan measurements are different, the baking time could be a little bit sorter or longer.
What I think makes my Grandma's version the best is the brown sugar mixed with cinnamon and vanilla.
The flavors are perfect together and the brown sugar gives the bread a richer and deeper flavor profile than regular white sugar. The outcome is a tender and moist bread that no one will guess is vegan.
can i freeze the bread?
Yes! This zucchini bread freezes really well. Just make sure to wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap or tinfoil.
It should last a few months stored in the freezer. When you are in the mood for zucchini bread, take a loaf out of the freeze and let it thaw at room temperature.
can the bread be nut-free?
If you have a nut allergy or just don't like walnuts in your zucchini bread, simply leave them out.
Be sure to take a photo and tag us at #thymeandlove on Instagram so we can see!
Zucchini Bread Mini Loaves
Use up your Summer zucchini in the this tender, moist zucchini bread recipe. The mini loaf size make a great homemade gift to share with friends and family. Make extras because they freeze really well.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Ground Flaxseeds
- 6 Tablespoons Water
- 2 Cups Light Brown Sugar
- ¾ Cup Canola Oil
- 2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 2 Cups Grated Zucchini**
- 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
- ¼ teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 3 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 Cup Walnuts, finely chopped
- Vegetable Shortening + extra flour for greasing pan
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 4 mini loaf pan that measures 5 x 3".
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flaxseed and water. Set aside for 5-10 minutes, or until the flax egg forms.
- Add the brown sugar to the flaxseed mixture and cream together. Pour in the canola oil and throughly mix until a homogeneous mixture forms. Add the vanilla and stir.
- Add the grated zucchini and stir together using a rubber spatula until fully incorporated.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In batches, add the dry mixture to the wet until all the dry ingredients have been fully mixed into the wet. Be careful not to over mix. Fold in the chopped walnuts.
- Evenly distribute the batter between the 4 mini loaf sections. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean.
- Let rest a few minutes and when the pan is cool enough to handle, carefully remove the breads.
- Enjoy!
Notes
After grating the zucchini, I like to remove as liquid as possible. Place the grated zucchini in a tea towel or cheese cloth and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Measure the zucchini after squeezing.
If your loaf pan isn't the same, the cooking time might be a little shorter or longer.
Happy Baking!
Jeni
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