Zucchini Cornbread

A moist and hearty cornbread made with fresh zucchini, brown butter, and a blend of all-purpose and whole wheat flours. This rustic loaf features a decorative topping of zucchini slices and has the perfect balance of cornmeal texture and tender crumb.

8 servings
1 hr 35 min

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 1 large zucchini
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup whole wheat flour
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ cup medium-grind cornmeal

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Position a rack in the middle of oven and preheat to 350°F. Butter a 9x5x3" loaf pan.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Melt 1/2 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Continue cooking until butter solids at bottom of pan turn golden brown, about 3 minutes. Scrape butter into a medium bowl. Set aside and let cool. Whisk in eggs and buttermilk.

    8 min

  3. 3.

    Trim zucchini ends. Thinly slice five 1/8" rounds from 1 end of zucchini and reserve for garnish. Coarsely grate remaining zucchini. Add to bowl with butter mixture and stir until well blended.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Sift both flours, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda into a large bowl. Whisk in cornmeal. Add zucchini mixture; fold just to blend (mixture will be very thick). Transfer batter to prepared pan and smooth top. Place reserved zucchini slices atop batter down center in a single layer.

    7 min

  5. 5.

    Bake bread until golden and a tester inserted into center comes out clean, 55-65 minutes. Let cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan; let cool completely on a wire rack. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

    65 min

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