Zucchini Bars with Brown Butter Frosting

Name: Zucchini Bars with Brown Butter Frosting
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour; 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 2 large eggs; 2 cups shredded zucchini, unpeeled and not squeezed; 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional); 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 2 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 to 4 tablespoons milk

These soft, spiced zucchini bars are topped with a rich brown butter frosting that makes them absolutely irresistible.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 American· August 1, 2026

Zucchini Bars with Brown Butter Frosting

dailyrecipesbook.com

Prep

20 minutes

Cook

40 minutes

Total

1 hour

Serves

When the garden starts overflowing with zucchini, these bars are my favorite way to use up the harvest. They turn out perfectly moist, soft, and warmly spiced, and they are always a crowd favorite at potlucks and family gatherings.

The secret really is in the frosting. Browning the butter gives it a deep, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the spiced cake base. If you have any extra zucchini lying around, this is definitely the recipe you should try first.

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
2 cups shredded zucchini, unpeeled and not squeezed
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 4 tablespoons milk

Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 15x10x1 inch jelly roll pan.
2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
3
In a separate large bowl, whisk the sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs until smooth.
4
Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined, then fold in the shredded zucchini and chopped pecans.
5
Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6
Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.
7
To make the frosting, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently for 5 to 8 minutes until it turns golden brown with toasted specks.
8
Remove the butter from the heat and let it cool slightly, then use a hand mixer to combine it with the powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of milk.
9
Add more milk one tablespoon at a time until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
10
Spread the frosting over the cooled bars and cut into 24 pieces.

💡 Tips

Store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you prefer, you can keep them in the refrigerator to keep the frosting firm, which is especially helpful during warmer weather.

#dessert #zucchini #baking #easy #vegetarian

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