Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Are there days when you aren’t eating enough vegetables? Are there times when you are craving chocolate dessert but don’t want to ruin your diet? What if I said you can have the best of both worlds? A healthier chocolate dessert secretly filled with lots of zucchini! 

My philosophy is everything in moderation! If you eat healthy 90% of the time, the odd treat here or there will probably not impact your diet. We all deserve to treat ourselves every one in a while but this Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread won’t steer you far from the boat! This healthy treat is 100% whole grain with other healthy modifications as well such as coconut oil, plain Greek yogurt and of course the addition of zucchini! 

In my recipe, I used cacao powder instead of cocoa. Do you know what the difference is between cacao powder and cocoa? Natural unsweetened cocoa powder may look very similar to cacao powder and may have a similar nutritional index on the back of the package, but they are processed differently. Raw cacao is made by cold-pressing unfrosted cocoa beans. This process maintains the living enzymes in the cocoa, maintaining it’s overall nutritional value and flavor. Cacao maintains it’s source of antioxidants, magnesium and iron giving you a greater bang for your buck than cocoa powder! Raw cocoa powder is roasted at high temperatures which changes the molecular structure, reducing it’s nutritional value. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to your traditional cocoa powder, try cacao powder instead! You can purchase it here at www.shopeco.com and they will deliver right to your house! 

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups grated zucchini
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cacao powder 
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1 ripe banana
2 eggs (egg yolks separated from egg whites)
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/3 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup coconut sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease your baking pan.
2. Place shredded zucchini in a paper towel and squeeze over the sink to release any excess water. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, add egg yolks, yogurt, coconut oil, banana, sugar and vanilla and beat together. Beat the egg whites in a separate bowl and fold into the mixture.
4. In another large bowl combine the dry ingredients and stir until combined except the dark chocolate chips
5. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients.
6. Fold in the dark chocolate chips and pour into your pan. 
7. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Allow to cool before slicing!