Vegan Protein Zucchini Bread

October 2, 2012

Vegan Protein Zucchini Bread




Some recipes are just meant to be. They are perfect in all respect. This is one of them
Easy to make, tastes awesome and - last but not least - has a great nutritional value.
I could brag for hours about how good this protein zucchini bread is, but instead I’m just gonna point out the few awesome things about it.

Zucchini, Hazelnuts and Protein Powder
Luscious batter
For starters you won’t feel the protein powder at all (which is a good thing). Also, the combination zucchini and hazelnuts is a great one not only taste wise but in texture and color.
Finally, nutritionally this bread is a wonder. Packed with fibers, protein, and considerate in sugars.
All in all it’s just rad!

Vegan Protein Zucchini Bread

Vegan Protein Zucchini Bread   Print this Recipe!
Inspired by Lynn Crawford's Pitchin' In: More Than 100 Great Recipes From Simple Ingredients


[Update 1/31/2013] Few notes. I baked it vegan (using flax eggs and vegan protein powder) but a couple of times I made it with egg whites. Honestly, I couldn’t see/feel/taste any difference but for the fact that the non-vegan version tends to raise slightly more.
I like to use hazelnuts because they are sweet and comforting but you can sub them with walnuts for a more pungent taste.
If you like things to be done properly grate the zucchini by hand (not using a food processor) they'll release more water and this improves the moisture of this bread.

Ingredients

1 cup / 4.5 oz / 125 gr whole wheat flour
1 ½ cup / 7.7 oz / 220 gr grated zucchini
½ cup / 2 scoops protein powder (unflavored or vanilla)
¾ cup / 5.2 oz / 150 gr firmly packed brown sugar (or baking Splenda®)
2 flax eggs (or 4 egg whites or 2 eggs)
½ cup / 118 ml olive oil
¼ cup / 1.2 oz / 40 gr hazelnuts
2 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), and place a rack in the center. Grease a 9-by-5 inch (23 x 13 cm) loaf pan (or equivalent) and dust with flour to coat completely, tapping out the excess flour.
Using a blender ground the hazelnut, set aside.
In a medium bowl sift the flour, protein powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
In a large bowl beat the flax eggs, sugar, and olive oil until the dough reaches a kind-of marshmallow consistency.
Fold in the dry ingredients in two to three batches using a spatula or a metal spoon, making sure not to overmix.
Finally, fold in the zucchini and the ground hazelnut until they are completely incorporated.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Bake for 40-45 minutes or until when a tester inserted in the centre comes out clean and the cake has begun to pull away from the sides of the pan. You want to get that beautiful color on the cake, but at the same time you don’t want to bake all the moisture out of it.
Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn the loaf out of the pan to cool completely.
The bread will be moist for up to 3-4 days but if you store it properly it will stay fresh for even more time than that.

Nutrition facts

One slice yields 114 calories, 6 grams of fat, 12 grams of carbs, and 4.5 grams of protein.

9 comments:

  1. Any way of making this wheat free?

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    Replies
    1. You can use rice flour (or any other gluten-free flour) instead of whole wheat flour. The sub should be 1 to 1 to weight (oz or grams) not volume (cups).
      Hope this helps!

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  2. Are you measuring 1/4 cup ground hazelnuts, or before they are ground up?

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  3. I made these this evening with my own twist. I made them as muffins and did these ingredient replacements: 1/2 cup of spelt flour, 1/2 cup of garbanzo flour, and 1/4 cup coconut flour, coconut oil, xylitol, and walnuts. Thank you for being such an inspiration. I love your food! (and so does my husband).

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  4. Can't wait to try this healthy version! Thanks!

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  5. That looks delicious! I just made chicken and gravy last night. Thanks so much for joining me for tea therapy.
    CrazyAsk

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  6. I was just wondering what to make for dinner tomorrow night…problem solved….the clincher was the cut up carrots….I had just cleaned out my pantry and found a can of pinto beans and one of white beans..so was a no–brainer…but I like the idea of the carrots…also the olives…never have used it in chili before, so will be a new experience.
    Holly Hooper

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  7. This was SO delicious!! I followed your exact recipe and I don't think it was too thick at all. It was nice and creamy and the flavors were great! My husband ate two bowlfuls and wanted more. We had plenty for leftovers. Thanks--this is a keeper.
    Paul Brown

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