Sweet summer zucchini meets warm cinnamon and crunchy nuts in this tender, gluten-free loaf. You'll love how the blend of rice flour and xanthan gum creates a soft crumb that rivals any traditional wheat-based bake. It's packed with moisture from the fresh vegetables, ensuring your slices stay soft for days. Serve a thick piece for a comforting weekend breakfast or an easy afternoon snack.
1Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat only the bottom of a 9x5-inch loaf pan with a light layer of shortening. Coating only the bottom helps the bread cling to the sides as it rises, giving you a taller loaf.
2Combine the sugar and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat them until fully incorporated, then pour in the vegetable oil and vanilla, mixing until the batter is completely smooth.
3Whisk the gluten-free flour blend, baking powder, cinnamon, xanthan gum, baking soda, and salt together in a separate medium bowl. Turn the mixer to low speed and slowly add this dry mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Mixing on low prevents the flour from flying out of the bowl and keeps the crumb tender.
4Fold the shredded zucchini and chopped nuts into the batter by hand. Transfer the finished batter into the prepared loaf pan. Folding by hand ensures you don't overmix the batter.
5Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bread rest in the pan for 15 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack. Let it cool completely for about 2 hours before slicing.
Notes
Storage: Keep the cooled loaf in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
Freezing: Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Tip: Squeeze excess moisture from the shredded zucchini if it seems overly wet, though a little moisture keeps the bread soft.