Ultimate Frosted Zucchini Bars Cream Cheese: 1 Happy Bite
Soft zucchini bars topped with creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting for a sweet and irresistible treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
- Category: Dessert, Bars, Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Zucchini Bars:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup unsweetened applesauce (or more oil)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups shredded zucchini (moisture squeezed out)
Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat Oven: Set oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease and line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, oil, applesauce, and vanilla until smooth.
Add Zucchini: Stir shredded zucchini into wet mixture.
Combine: Fold dry ingredients into wet until just combined.
Bake: Spread batter evenly into prepared pan and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
Make Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, then vanilla, and beat until fluffy.
Frost & Serve: Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
For extra depth, add ½ teaspoon ground ginger to the batter.
Frosting spreads easiest when bars are completely cooled or chilled.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
