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Flavorful Brown Butter Zucchini Bars with Easy Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 144 reviews
  • Author: anna
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Flavorful Brown Butter Zucchini Bars combine the rich nuttiness of browned butter with moist shredded zucchini for a moist and tender treat. Topped with an easy homemade cream cheese frosting, these bars offer a perfect balance of spice and sweetness, making them an irresistible dessert or snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Brown Butter Zucchini Bars

  • 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, browned
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (110 grams) brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups (220 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups shredded zucchini (about 2 medium zucchinis), squeezed dry

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) powdered sugar
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk (to adjust frosting consistency)

Instructions

  1. Brown the Butter: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir frequently as it foams and then turns a golden brown with tiny brown bits forming, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  2. Prep the Zucchini: Shred the zucchinis using a box grater or food processor. Place the shredded zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess moisture to prevent sogginess in the bars.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooled browned butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is well incorporated. Then stir in vanilla extract.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt until evenly mixed.
  5. Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture with gentle strokes until just combined. Do not overmix to keep the bars tender.
  6. Add Zucchini: Gently fold in the shredded zucchini until it is evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  7. Bake: Pour the batter into a greased or parchment-lined 9×13 inch pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before frosting.
  9. Make the Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk to reach desired consistency.
  10. Frost the Bars: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled zucchini bars. Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

  • Browning the butter adds a deep, nutty flavor to the bars, so don’t rush this step.
  • Make sure to squeeze out excess liquid from shredded zucchini to avoid soggy bars.
  • If you don’t have cream cheese, you can substitute with mascarpone or Greek yogurt for the frosting.
  • Bars can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • For a dairy-free adaptation, try using vegan butter and cream cheese alternatives.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: brown butter zucchini bars, cream cheese frosting, zucchini dessert bars, moist zucchini bars, easy zucchini bars recipe, homemade zucchini bars

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Find it online: https://recipiana.com/flavorful-brown-butter-zucchini-bars-with-easy-homemade-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/