Home · Recipes Spiced Zucchini Banana Bread Author: Maryanne CabreraPublished: Sep 6, 2018Updated: Oct 16, 2023 View Recipe6 ReviewsThis post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy. As summer comes to an end and zucchinis are still plenty, make this spiced zucchini banana bread to help welcome some warm fall flavors! The days following Labor Day and before the official start of autumn are tough. Saying farewell to summer is often bittersweet for me. I enjoy the fruit and veggies, outdoor activities, and the long daylight hours. But then again, I also look forward to the warm flavors, spices, and hearty comfort foods of autumn and winter. This spiced zucchini banana bread is the perfect transition to fall baking! Zucchini Banana Bread It’s everything you already love about banana bread but MORE! The addition of shredded zucchini means this banana bread is extra moist. Cinnamon, cardamon, nutmeg, turmeric is mixed into the batter AND used to glaze the finished quick bread. This recipe is loosely adapted from the zucchini banana bread loaf in the September/October issue of Bake From Scratch magazine. Oil vs Butter Based Quick Bread: Vegetable oil (or other neutral flavored oil) is often used in banana bread. Oil lends to the iconic moisture-rich, dense texture of banana bread. Since this recipe uses mashed banana and shredded zucchini (which provides plenty of moisture as is), there is no need to use oil. That might be overkill. Instead, softened room temperature butter is creamed with sugar. Warm Spices This recipe uses a combination of ground cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, turmeric, and a touch of ginger. These spices work in harmony to balance out the sweetness of the super ripe banana. For extra warmth, the glaze is almost spiced. Lightly drizzle on the glaze or pour it over the top for extra coverage. If you’re feeling extra, you can use turn this banana bread into French toast! Spiced Zucchini Banana Bread Yield: 9×5-inch loaf Servings: 10 Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Ingredients1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temp3/4 cup granulated sugar2 large eggs, room temp1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1 1/2 cups (340 grams) ripe banana, mashed1 cup (150 grams) shredded zucchini, packed2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon fine sea salt1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg1/4 teaspoong ground ginger1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom1/4 teaspoon ground tumericSpiced Glaze:1 cup confectioners’ sugar1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom1/8 teaspoon ground tumeric2 teaspoon maple syrup1 Tablespoon milk, or milk alternative Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Set aside.In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix until combined.Add mashed bananas and shredded zucchini. Mix until combined. Scrape down bowl as needed. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, and turmeric. Add to mixing bowl. Mix on low speed until fully combined and there are no longer any dry streaks of flour. Transfer batter to prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60-70 minutes until bread is golden brown and toothpick inserted in center of bread comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10-15 minutes before unmolding. Allow bread to cool to room temperature on a wire rack. Spiced Glaze:Stir together confectioners’ sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and turmeric together. Add in maple syrup and milk. Stir until smooth. Drizzle over cooled zucchini banana bread. NotesRecipe adapted from Bake From Scratch Author: Maryanne Cabrera Did you make this recipe?Show us on Instagram! Tag @littleepicurean and hashtag #littleepicurean.
Cindy Rodriguez says: September 7, 2018 There’s nothing better than a good banana bread but I love that you’ve added in zucchini as well as turmeric into the flavors. Can’t wait to try it and may even be a little ‘extra’ with the french toast. LOL Reply
Claudette says: May 21, 2020 This sounds so yummy! I have almond flour and coconut flour and I’d like to use them both to replace the all-purpose flour. What would be the measurements for them? I also have xanthan gum. Should I include or omit it?
Nichole says: September 11, 2018 This is so perfect for fall entertaining! But also, let’s talk about that drizzle – looks sooo good! Reply
Camille says: October 21, 2018 Made this earlier this evening and it came out fabulous!! The spices really set it off and the glaze is superb. I used gluten free baking flour so one of my friends could eat it too, so definitely a recipe that works well for GF flour. Will be making this again over the holidays for my family. Reply
Maryanne Cabrera says: October 22, 2018 That’s so wonderful to hear! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the tip on the GF flour!