Lemon Zucchini Bread
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Moist and fluffy, this lemon zucchini bread is made with whole wheat, honey and buttermilk and is topped with a fresh and delicious lemon glaze!
It seems most people I talk to love lemon-flavored treats, whether it’s candy, baked goods, or lemon-flavored sauces for pastas and seafood. There is just something about that refreshingly sweet-sour zippy taste of lemon that is so irresistibly delicious.
I’ve always loved lemony desserts, including lemon cakes. I did some experimenting again with whole wheat, honey, buttermilk and squash and churned out this delightful lemon cake that you are sure to enjoy. Lots of fresh lemon zest and a heavenly lemon glaze to top it all off.
I used yellow squash this time – the color blends in perfectly and you can’t even tell it’s there (the perfect deception if you have little ones…or big ones who are resistant to veggies ;). Alternatively you can use regular zucchini. And how about this for a flavor twist: Instead of lemon, use lime (lime zest and lime juice) to complement the green flecks of the zucchini.
Be sure to also check out my recipe for Chocolate Deception Cake! This moist cake incorporates loads of zucchini, whole grains and healthy oils.
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Lemon Zucchini Bread with Lemon Glaze
Ingredients
- For the Loaf:
- 1 cup grated yellow squash or zucchini ,leave the skin on and use the small holes of the grater
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup coconut oil ,melted and at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- For the Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cups confectioners’ sugar ,sifted
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.
- Using your hands, squeeze as much liquid out of the squash as you can. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
- In a large bowl, add the sugar and eggs and beat until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the honey, oil, vanilla extract, buttermilk, lemon juice and lemon zest beat another minute until smooth. Using a rubber spatula, gently stir in the squash until the strands are separated and combined with the batter. Gradually add the flour mixture to the batter and gently fold it in, just until combined. Be careful not to stir too much.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean. Remove the pan from the oven and set it on a wire rack. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing from the pan and setting it on the wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the lemon glaze, in a small bowl, stir together the confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice together. Add more sugar if the mixture is too liquidy. Add more lemon juice if it’s too stiff. Once the loaf has cooled, pour the lemon glaze over the top of the loaf and let it drip down the sides. Allow the glaze to harden for 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
If I substitute sugar, what is the ratio between the two? Could I use artificial sweetener like stevia or Pjure?
Hi Judy, many alternative sugars are a direct 1:1 ratio, like Swerve for example.
I see comments about canola oil? It is not called for in this recipe!! I never knew it was bd for you either what would you use in place of it? As for this Zucchini Bread ….. It’s amazing! I have already made it twice this summer I have substituted the flours for GlutenFree flour also. My husband has Gluten intolerance Came out pretty good! A little chewy as all GF recipes are
Thanks so much, Marianne, I’m happy you enjoyed it! You can use any neutral tasting oil of your choice. I often use avocado oil or coconut oil (even though it has a pronounced flavor).
So beautiful ! Thank you so much !
This was SO good! The crumb was moist and the flavor absolutely outstanding!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Natalie, thank you!
Can orange be substituted?
Hi Mary, yes it sure can.
Can I omit the lemon or replace with something as I am allergic to citrus?
Hi Mary, you can certainly omit the lemon but that’s the primary/key flavor of this bread. There really isn’t a replacement for lemon but you can simply omit it. Without the lemon it will just be a basic zucchini bread.
After using a “high altitude” recipe for zucchini bread and having it turn out a little more than an inch high I tried yours. YIPPEE!! A tall moist bread without the valley in the top middle of the loaf. My loaves average 31/2 -33/4 pounds. I use all olive oil for the shortening. I adjust the sweet depending on the fruit or vegetable used. Loved the suggestion to use apple sauce for sweetener instead of sugar. I will try it. I have made zucchini bread, banana bread and will soon make some carrot bread, apple bread, and peach bread. What fun! Thank you for a great recipe with good attitude at altitude.
That’s wonderful! I’m thrilled to hear this turned out so well where you live at high altitude and really appreciate all the feedback, thank you!
I have made this twice & love it! I am trying to figure out how many servings per loaf, I did not see it noted.
Thank you, Marie, I’m so glad you like it as much as we do! You know, the amount of servings is always so relative when it comes to loaves, which is probably why many recipes simply state “yields 2 loaves” or “makes 1 loaf”. If you’re like me and cut your slices thick, then I’d say about 8 servings. Thinner and it’s closer to 12 servings.