1 ½cups shredded zucchini(lightly blotted with a paper towel, not squeezed)
zest of 1 medium orange
¾cupdark chocolate chips(plus extra for sprinkling on top)
Instructions
Prep oven and prepare your pan. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish or metal pan with parchment paper, or spray with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, add the 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, ¾ cup flour, and ¾ teaspoon saltcocoa powder, powdered sugar, and salt. Sift the cocoa powder and powdered sugar to remove any clumps and add to the bowl. Whisk everything together until well combined.
In a separate, larger bowl, whisk together the 2 large eggs, ½ cup olive oil, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Fold in the 1 ½ cups shredded zucchini and the orange zest, then add the ¾ cups chocolate chips and mix until just combined. The batter will be very thick.
Spread the brownie batter evenly in the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top if desired.
Bake the zucchini brownies for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs. If you see batter on the toothpick, the brownies still need a few more minutes.
Let the fudgy brownies cool completely in the pan before slicing with a sharp knife. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze (see notes below for freezing!)
Notes
Zucchini Prep. Lightly blot the shredded zucchini with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, but do not squeeze it dry. The moisture helps keep the brownies fudgy.
Olive Oil. Use a light or mild-flavored olive oil. For a more neutral taste, you can substitute avocado oil or melted coconut oil.
Pan Lining. Lining the pan with parchment paper makes it easier to lift and slice the brownies cleanly after cooling.
Doneness Check. Brownies are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).
Chilling Tip. For cleaner cuts, refrigerate the brownies before slicing and use a plastic knife or a sharp knife cleaned between cuts.
Storage. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Freeze for longer storage (up to 2 months).