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Zesty Lemon Zucchini Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

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Moist and tender zucchini bars with a bright lemon flavor, topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting. A perfect sweet treat that sneaks in veggies and delights even skeptical eaters.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (190g)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup vegetable oil (120ml)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest (about 1 large lemon)
  • 2 cups grated zucchini, packed (about 2 medium zucchinis)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened (115g)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened (57g)
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar (180g), sifted
  • 1 ½ teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line your 9×9 inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. Grate the zucchini and lemon zest. Lightly squeeze the zucchini in a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture but keep some moisture for tenderness.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, beat the sugar and eggs until smooth and slightly pale, about 2-3 minutes. Add the oil, vanilla, and lemon zest, mixing gently until combined.
  5. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients to the wet mixture using a spatula, just until combined — do not overmix.
  6. Fold in the grated zucchini gently, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with the spatula.
  8. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Start checking at 30 minutes to avoid overbaking.
  9. Remove from oven and cool completely on a cooling rack before frosting, about 1 hour.
  10. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  11. Add powdered sugar gradually, mixing well after each addition.
  12. Mix in lemon juice and vanilla until creamy and spreadable. Adjust consistency with a splash of milk or more powdered sugar if needed.
  13. Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars, then cut into squares and serve.

Notes

Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense bars. Cool bars completely before frosting to prevent melting. For vegan or gluten-free versions, substitute ingredients as noted. Chilling frosting for 15 minutes helps firm it up if too soft. Watch baking time carefully as oven temperatures vary.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon zucchini bars, cream cheese frosting, zucchini dessert, lemon dessert, easy baking, summer dessert, gluten-free option, vegan option

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/zesty-lemon-zucchini-bars-recipe-easy-homemade-cream-cheese-frosting/