Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars
A suuuuper soft and moist zucchini bars recipe, generously laced with semi-sweet chocolate chips, and topped with a thick layer of silky and rich cream cheese cocoa frosting. These Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars are like a cross between a sheet cake and zucchini bread, plus chocolate!
Servings 24
Ingredients
For zucchini bars:
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 2 cups grated zucchini about 2 medium
- 2 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
For cocoa frosting:
- 8 oz. cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2-3 tbsp. heavy cream
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
Instructions
For zucchini bars:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in grated zucchini and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Spread into the bottom of a lightly greased 13x9-inch baking pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes, or until top and edges are golden, and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Meanwhile, prepare cocoa frosting.
For cocoa frosting:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Beat in vanilla and 2 tbsp. heavy cream.
- Add 3 cups powdered sugar, salt, and cocoa powder, beating until thick and creamy. Add additional powdered sugar and heavy cream, as needed, to achieve a frosting of medium consistency. Thick and creamy, but easily spreadable.
- Frost the zucchini bars. Cut and serve.