The combination of carrots, apple and zucchini is really something special. The carrots and zucchini are really interchangeable so if you’d like to use more of one than the other, no problem. You could, in fact, eliminate one entirely if you wish.
I also like to use pecans in this recipe but walnuts would be great too. I mean, just LOOK at this beautiful bowl of goodness! So bright and flavorful!
The frosting on this bread is really simple but spectacular at the same time. I have left it off many times because honestly, the bread doesn’t need it. That being said, it not only makes the bread look extra special, it adds a bit of sweetness that makes it extra appealing to everybody who tries it.
What You’ll Need to Make Carrot Apple Zucchini Bread
Loaf pans – I used (2) 8 x 4 inch loaf pans. This is my favorite loaf pan size because it’s just the right amount for our family. I love this recipe because it actually makes TWO loaves so if I don’t want to freeze the second loaf, I can just give it to a friend.
The worst thing that can happen when you bake bread is after it’s done baking, you flip the pan over…. and the bread doesn’t slide out. It’s super important to grease and flour the loaf pans or cheat, like I do, and use a baking spray that has flour in it like this one does.
The basics: a good whisk, mixing bowls, cooling rack, and a box grater for the zucchini and carrots.
Basically what we have here is a must-make summer recipe. But don’t let this recipe sit on the sidelines during the rest of the year! We enjoy it all year round! I hope you give this easy zucchini bread recipe a try and please, let me know what you think in the comments below. Enjoy!
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter melted
2 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs room temperature
¼ cup fresh orange juice
1 tbsp vanilla extract
3¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp salt
2½ tsp baking powder
¾ tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
pinch of ground cloves
pinch of ground nutmeg
2 cups shredded carrots
1 cup shredded zucchini
1 cup diced peeled apple (Granny Smith, Fuji, whatever you have on hand)
½ cup pecans chopped
Cream Cheese Glaze/Frosting
½ cup cream cheese softened
¼ cup butter softened
2 – 3 cups powdered sugar
1-3 tbsp orange juice as needed.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour two 8×4 inch loaf pans. Line with parchment paper and set aside. (I use the baking spray with flour in it.)
Place zucchini in a large kitchen towel. Bring up the four corners and twist. Squeeze the towel to extract all the liquid from the zucchini, or as much as you can. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg together. Set aside.
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the butter and sugar.
Add eggs, orange juice, and vanilla and whisk until combined.
Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients along with the shredded carrots, shredded zucchini, apples, and pecans.
Pour into prepared pans.
Bake until golden brown, 55 to 60 minutes, or until loaves spring back when gently pressed with fingers.
Let cool completely before icing.
Cream Cheese Glaze/Frosting
Cream together cream cheese and butter with a hand mixer.
Add in 2 cups of powdered sugar and continue mixing. Drizzle in orange juice until desired consistency is achieved.
Frost bread and enjoy!
