Moist and flavorful chocolate zucchini muffins with mini semi-sweet chocolate chips. Simple to whip up, and they taste like a healthy brownie!
Today I have a special guest. My big brother! He’s become somewhat of a foodie himself in recent years. You know the vegetable garden I mention that I want to plant, but never do? He actually does it. When he cooks, he incorporates what he’s homegrown, farm-to-table style, making us all feel very unaccomplished. Oh, just me then?
I approached him about writing a guest post because, like me, he’s also an attorney, who also enjoys writing for fun, and who also pursues a lot of creative outlets outside of his day job. We did come from the same family. Allegedly. He’s a little more into cooking, but he and his wife like to bake together too.
Anyhoo, without further ado… my brother Jeff:
In the timeless poem, “Monday’s Child,” it is said that children born on a Saturday “work hard for a living.” What the poem does not reveal, however, is that some Saturday children – including my sister, the GLG – can also be incredibly sneaky… sneaky enough to start and maintain a blog for over a year without her family knowing a thing about it!
It’s true! While GLG’s love of food, baking, and finding the gold lining in life are well known to all of us, her blog, until a few months ago, was not. In fact, many members of our family have yet to hear of her blogging endeavors. At this rate, she may have already become the next Martha Stewart by the time she’s willing to admit to her blogging notoriety! [I wish!!!!!]
Of course, this isn’t the first time the GLG has sought fame and fortune through her love of baking. To the contrary, as a precocious six-year old, she once sought baking glory on the grandest stage of all: the 1989 Copley (Ohio) Heritage Days Festival Baking Competition. Our mother actually entered us both into this esteemed competition. For my entry, I delved deep into our family’s baking history and decided to enter an all-time favorite recipe: Chocolate Zucchini Bread.
Now, you’re undoubtedly asking yourself what recipe the proprietress of this blog produced for her entry. Something complex and sophisticated, like this Coconut Pavlova with Mango-Kiwi Compote? Perhaps a closely guarded secret recipe from the family archives, a la Cracked Top Ginger Cookies?
Nope. She made… no-bakes! You know, the simple, albeit delicious confection mass-produced in school cafeterias and grocery stores across America? Granted, she was only six, but still, hardly a sign of greatness, right? Of course, like any typical older brother, I offered my firm and unwavering support by declaring that no one would ever win a baking competition with no-bakes. “Ha!”, I said. “You’ll never win a prize with those. Never!!!”
She won, of course. FIRST PLACE in the ‘candy’ category. Meanwhile, my perfect zucchini bread garnered no better than SECOND in ‘breads’. But in true gold-lining fashion, my mother has always pointed out that mine was the first to sell out once the competition was over.
Now, although I failed to take home the cherished first place ribbon that day, you’ll still love this recipe. It’s a tasty and delicious bread for any occasion. This version has been portioned into muffins for portability and on-the-go snacking!
This Chocolate Zucchini Muffin recipe is also a little ‘healthified’ from our original family version. A little less sugar, substitute out some of the oil for protein-packed Greek yogurt. But you’ll never notice a difference – of course, mini chocolate chips help that cause. These really taste a lot like brownies. So indulgent that you think you should feel guilty, but you can enjoy these guilt-free!
Jeff says
August 26, 2015 at 10:42 amNow you just need to post your no bake recipe and let your readers decide who REALLY should have won that blue ribbon. 😉
Sarah says
August 26, 2015 at 11:29 amYeah, because when I made those no-bakes, they didn’t even set up properly! And I still won! Mwahahahaha!!! I will post it at some point, and let the viewers decide once and for all! 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
August 26, 2015 at 4:33 pmYum! These look so moist and totally delicious 🙂
Sarah says
August 28, 2015 at 6:13 pmThank you!
Blair @ The Seasoned Mom says
August 26, 2015 at 9:21 pmYes, I’m curious about the no-bake recipe now! 🙂
I loved this guest post. It’s so fun to get family members and friends involved in the blog. How in the world did you keep your blog a secret for so long?! That’s funny!
Sarah says
August 28, 2015 at 6:12 pmI think I still have some friends and family who don’t know about it! Lol. I am still not comfortable shouting it from the rooftops! 🙂
Barb says
August 26, 2015 at 11:33 pmThe no bakes didn’t set up because it was 90 degrees that day! They still tasted great, though!
Sarah says
August 28, 2015 at 6:13 pmI don’t remember them myself, but I would think that melty no-bakes would be pretty delicious! Haha!
Rachel says
September 2, 2015 at 11:59 amNow that you know her secret alter-ego, you must stop by more often to share stories like these. Family competition is such fun and these look mouthwatering. I love the swap for greek yogurt. Genius!
Sarah says
September 2, 2015 at 5:25 pmYes, I’m thinking of suckering him into writing for me more often. It’s so hard to keep up, right? Yep, my cover is blown and the word got out about the blog. Haha!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
September 2, 2015 at 12:29 pmHi Jeff! So nice to meet you! 🙂 That was a wonderful story that you shared, now I am curious to know what did Sarah make which made her win the 1st prize?? These muffins looks absolutely perfect, so moist that I want to sink my teeth into them right away!
Sarah says
September 2, 2015 at 5:26 pmLol! What’s funny is that the no-bakes I made didn’t even set up well. It was such a hot and humid day that they didn’t even set! Maybe that’s what made them so good. Gooey and melty no-bakes. Haha! Thanks so much, Manali! So glad you liked his contribution! 🙂
Alison says
September 2, 2015 at 12:30 pmI was a secret blogger for a year as well! Good cooking runs in the family, these muffins look awesome. Perfect for sneaking veggies to my six year old!
Sarah says
September 2, 2015 at 5:27 pmHow funny! I hear that from a lot of other bloggers too… that they kept their blogs under wraps for a while. Wonder why we do that! Lol. So glad you like the recipe!
Sandra @ The Foodie Affair says
September 2, 2015 at 12:37 pmSecond place isn’t a bad place to be! Love the healthier ingredients in this recipe! Foodies and lawyers?! The family holiday gatherings have to be a blast 🙂
Sarah says
September 2, 2015 at 5:29 pmLOL!!! Yep, our family get-togethers are pretty wild and crazy, as you’d probably guess! Haha. We do get a lot of excellent food involved. Second place isn’t bad, but it’s not first!!! Mwahahaha! 🙂
Lindsay says
September 2, 2015 at 1:39 pmHilarious sibling rivalry, all in good fun! I cannot wait to try this recipe, especially because of the Greek yogurt sub. And, I love all things chocolate and always have way too much zucchini to handle. I need to know the answer to the question as to whether or not Jeff has his secret blog as well? Or, better yet, will you two be joining forces and end up on Food Network any time soon?
Sarah says
September 2, 2015 at 5:30 pmOoooh, the Food Network. We should definitely be in talks for a brother/sister cooking show. That could be epic. I am wondering the same thing… whether he has a secret blog that he just hasn’t revealed yet. I have my suspicions, indeed!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
September 2, 2015 at 1:48 pmWelcome Jeff! So great to hear some stories about Sarah! We need that no bake recipe! Great job on the muffins, they look delicious!
Sarah says
September 2, 2015 at 5:31 pmI mean, that no-bake recipe is 1st prize winning. I don’t know if I can share such a treasured recipe. Ha!!! So glad you liked the guest post and the recipe!! Thank you!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
September 2, 2015 at 2:24 pmNice to meet you Jeff! What a great guest post! Loved hearing more stories about Sarah! Awesome job on these muffins! They look amazing!
Sarah says
September 2, 2015 at 5:32 pmDon’t they look great? I love the addition of mini chocolate chips! Thanks, Kelly!
Zainab says
September 2, 2015 at 3:17 pmThanks for this great recipe Jeff!
Sarah says
September 2, 2015 at 5:32 pmYou won’t believe it’s a second place recipe when you try it! Thanks, Zainab!
Nichi - The Mandatory Mooch says
September 2, 2015 at 3:41 pmThese look delicious!!
Sarah says
September 2, 2015 at 5:31 pmThank you!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
September 2, 2015 at 6:03 pmYou had me at chocolate zucchini muffins! They look perfect. Thanks for sharing, Jeff!
Sarah says
September 2, 2015 at 10:41 pmThanks, Jen! 🙂
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
September 2, 2015 at 7:40 pmHi Jeff! Nice to meet you. What a great guest post and funny too. Loved hearing about Sarah. Sarah I can’t believe you blogged for a year and didn’t say anything. You are so good. I complain to much to my family for them not to know, hehe. These muffins look so moist and delicious for an afternoon snack. Yum.
Sarah says
September 2, 2015 at 10:42 pmI kept this gig pretty under wraps for a long time. There’s a lot of people that still aren’t aware actually. Lol! I probably ought to complain more because WOW is there always a lot to do!! So I hear you on that. Thanks, Cyndi!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
September 2, 2015 at 8:08 pmI blogged in secret for a year too – totally understand Sarah! These muffins do look pretty amazing, love chocolate and zucchini!
Sarah says
September 2, 2015 at 10:41 pmI remember that! I knew I was not alone in hiding it. Lol! Thanks, Stacey!
Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads says
September 2, 2015 at 9:30 pmWhat a great guest post!! These muffins looks wonderful! Such a great way to use zucchini!
Sarah says
September 2, 2015 at 10:40 pmI agree. Zucchini is far more tolerable when it’s combined with chocolate. Haha! Thank you so much. So glad you liked the post!
Marion@LifeTastesGood says
September 3, 2015 at 12:22 pmWhat a fun story with great memories! Sarah really should post her winning recipe. It would be fun to compare the two 🙂 Your muffins look absolutely delicious Jeff! I love that you made them a bit healthier.
Sarah says
September 9, 2015 at 8:27 pmYep, I have to post the no-bakes now so we can compare. Lol! Thank you so much, Marion!
Jacqueline {Go Go Go Gourmet} says
September 3, 2015 at 3:13 pmLove this. I was totally cracking up. The muffins look amazing too!
Sarah says
September 9, 2015 at 8:32 pmThanks, girl!!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
September 4, 2015 at 3:17 pmHow fun is this?? And I can’t believe you have been hiding your food blogging career from your family, Sarah! Sneaky girl. 😉 And these muffins look amazing! I am all about baking with zucchini- makes everything super moist and bonus hidden veggies.
Sarah says
September 9, 2015 at 8:34 pmYes, it was a well-guarded secret for a very long time. Still is a bit of a secret to some people! Lol. I agree – hidden veggies are really the only kind of veggies I like! HAHA!!
Erica (@Erica's Recipes) says
September 5, 2015 at 9:22 amawwww what a great post. Enjoyed reading and what DELICIOUS looking muffins!
Sarah says
September 9, 2015 at 8:34 pmThank you! 🙂 So glad you liked reading it. I know he enjoyed writing it. Lol!
Shelby says
September 5, 2015 at 11:43 amOh, I really love no bake cookies! 🙂 However, I would gladly eat one of these Chocolate Zucchini Muffins also! I also cannot believe she kept her blog from her family for so long! 🙂
Sarah says
September 9, 2015 at 8:35 pmLol! I know. I just couldn’t bring myself to put it out there! The cat is mostly out of the bag now. 🙂
Heather says
September 5, 2015 at 3:12 pmYes! Just the recipe I needed!!! Thanks for sharing this awesomeness, and your big brother’s hilarity 😉
-Heather
Sarah says
September 9, 2015 at 8:35 pmThank you, Heather!
Creatively Homespun says
September 8, 2015 at 4:37 pmYUUM!! Thank you for linking up at the Creative K Kids’ Tasty Tuesdays! It’s great to party with you! I have pinned your post to our Tasty Tuesdays Pinterest Board! I hope to see you again next week! xo
Sarah says
September 9, 2015 at 8:38 pmThanks for the party!
Alix @A Hedgehog in the Kitchen says
November 2, 2016 at 2:15 pmWe absolutely LOVE zucchini bread in our home but have never tried chocolate zucchini muffins with chocolate chips! What a great idea! Oh, and I’m a Saturday child too! (The best – obv.) 🙂
Sarah says
November 2, 2016 at 8:37 pmLOL! Totally the best!! You must try with chocolate chips – it’s especially great with mini chips because they just melt throughout and get you little bites of chocolate here and there!