Carrot Apple Zucchini Bread

1) Spray three 8 x 4 inch loaf pans with cooking spray and put to the side.

NOTES:  This carrot, apple, zucchini bread just screams fall.  Packed with fruit, veggies and nuts, it gets a flavor boost from a splash of red apple balsamic vinegar and the use of walnut oil to emphasize the nuts in the bread.  Did I mention it is easy to make and it makes three loaves making it perfect for gift giving around the holidays.  See how I wrap these up in my Wrapping Candy, Nuts & Baked Good blog post.

This is a bread recipe, and is known as a quick bread since it doesn’t use yeast or require resting and rise time.  Many people compare quick breads to cake and with good reason.  It is on the sweet side but that sweetness is tempered with the use of veggies.  I served this in my bread basket around the holidays, but also as a treat with coffee and tea.  It can easily be served for dessert and maybe with a little whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream?  I’m just saying, that would be awesome!

Since there are three loaves in this recipe, I’m sure you are wondering, can you freeze zucchini bread?  The answer, yes.  You can freeze these as entire loaves or slice and then freeze individual slices or a couple of slices.  The choice is yours.  The best way to do this is to let the bread completely cool.  Then wrap the loaf or individual slices in plastic wrap making sure they are completed covered.  Then, pop them in freezer bags.  Be sure to remove as much air as possible from the bags to ensure a long storage time.  Frozen zucchini bread will last 3-6 months in the freezer.  Let it thaw in the fridge overnight or on the counter for an hour before enjoying.

You also have some flexibility when making this bread.  If you don’t have or don’t like zucchini, omit it and double up on the carrots.  Carrots and apples are a match made in heaven and will make the bread a little sweeter. This easy swap will give you apple carrot bread.  Don’t have or like walnuts?  Use another nut like pecans or almonds.  You can still substitute the walnut oil or another nut flavored oil.  Which leads me to the last substitution.  No walnut olive oil?  Use just canola oil.  It will work just fine.  You’ll just be missing that extra nut flavor in the bread.

I’m making this bread in the oven but you can easy make bread machine zucchini bread.  Just use the same recipe but then use your bread maker to cook.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for best results.

To get started making the bread, I like to grate my veggies and apple first.  Don’t worry about the apple turning brown as it sits.  It doesn’t lose it’s flavor and will be mixed with all the ingredients so it is just fine.

I use my KitchenAid food processor with the shredder blade.  If you don’t have a food processor, use a box grater to grate.  It will take one small zucchini, two small carrots and one apple to get the three cups of shredded veggies/fruit that you need for the recipe.

Peel your apple first but leave the peel on the carrot and zucchini.  Once done, put to the side.

Next, put all your dry ingredients into a large bowl and whisk to combine.

In a second bowl, beat your eggs then add the vanilla, red apple balsamic vinegar (if you don’t have it, use apple juice or just omit it), canola oil, and walnut oil.  Once mixed, add the sugar and brown sugar and mix to completely combine.

Note:  I often substitute a sugar substitute like Swerve or Lakanto Monk fruit.  Feel free to make that substitution if you are cutting back on sugar.  It works great it this recipe.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix to combine.  Add the shredded veggies and apple and mix to combine.  Finally, add the walnuts and mix into the batter.

Divide the batter evenly between three 8 x 4 loaf pans that have been sprayed with cooking spray.  Today, I used foil pans since I will be gifting a couple of these to neighbors.

Pop into the preheated oven and bake for 55 – 60 minutes checking at the 50 minute mark.  Using a toothpick, test for doneness by inserting it into the middle of the loaf.  If it comes out dry, the bread is done.  If it comes out wet, let the bread bake another 5-10 minutes until done.  And there you have it, carrot, apple, zucchini bread!

Let the loaves cool in their pans for at least 10 minutes.  Then, remove from the pan and let cool on a rack until completely cooled.  Slice and serve.

Did you like this bread recipe?  Try some of my other favorites:

Cinnamon Raisin Bread

Irish Soda Bread

Cranberry, Walnut & Pumpkin Bread