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5 from 1 vote

The BEST Zucchini Bars with Browned Butter Frosting

Tender, moist, and delicious zucchini bars topped with decadent browned butter frosting.  These bars will be your new favorite summertime dessert.  Use up your garden zucchini and make the most delicious dessert that will please everyone!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 32 servings
Calories: 224kcal

Ingredients

The bars

  • ½ cup salted butter softened
  • 1 cup plain greek yogurt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 medium zucchini 2 cups grated
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

The browned butter frosting

  • ½ cup salted butter
  • 5 tablespoon heavy cream
  • 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 5 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

The bars

  • Begin by grating your zucchini.  2 medium zucchini equal about 2 cups grated zucchini. There are several ways – you can use a box grater, a food processor, or the grating tool for the Kitchenaid stand mixer.  You can also use a fork to shred the zucchini.
  • Combine softened butter, greek yogurt, brown sugar, and white sugar in a large mixing bowl.  Cream together.
  • Add eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix until combined.
  • Add in shredded zucchini and blend.
  • Pour in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
  • Mix until just combined.
  • Prepare a jellyroll pan (either 15 ½ by 10 ½ inches or 18 by 12 and has 1-inch-high sides) by spraying with non-stick spray.
  • Pour prepared batter into the pan. Spread it out evenly with a spatula.  Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 14-18 minutes until golden and the center springs back when touched.

How to make Browned Butter

  • Cut ½ cup stick of butter into even slices and add to a medium saucepan.
  • Heat over MEDIUM heat until melted and bring to a simmer.  STIR CONSTANTLY.
  • The butter will begin to foam, continue stirring.
  • When the butter begins to change to an amber color, milk solids at the bottom are toasted, and the butter has a potent nutty fragrance, the butter is browned and done.  Transfer to a heatproof mixing bowl
  • (There is a very slight difference between browned butter and burned butter.  If the milk solids begin to blacked, you have burned your butter and will need to start over.)

How to make Browned Butter Frosting

  • Add your warm browned butter to a heatproof mixing bowl.
  • Add in 4 teaspoon vanilla.
  • Pour in 5 tablespoon heavy cream.
  • Add 5 cups powdered sugar.
  • Mix until smooth.  You can add additional heavy cream (1 tablespoon at a time) if you prefer a thinner frosting.
  • Frost your zucchini bars while still warm.

Notes

Zucchini Bars Q&A
What is the purpose of zucchini in recipes?
 The zucchini keeps the bread moist and light while adding the perfect texture!
So I peel my zucchini before grating?
Do not peel the zucchini before grating, leave the skin on. Do not salt, drain out, or squeeze out any of the liquid from the zucchini.
How to do you grate zucchini?
To grate zucchini, trim off the ends and remove the seeds, then pass the zucchiniover the blades of a plank grater or box grater, or feed the zucchini through the blades of a food processor. The process is simple no matter which tool you choose to use.
Do I refrigerate Zucchini bars and how long do they last?
You can store in the fridge if you like a chilled bar.  But this zucchini bar recipe should keep for at least 2 or 3 days at room temperature. If your zucchini bars are still hanging around after 3 days, you might want to refrigerate it. They should last in the fridge for at least a week, if not a few days longer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar | Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 170mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 259IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg