Zucchini Yeast Bread

Ha! I know, another zucchini recipe! But you can't have Strawberry Zucchini Marmalade and no zucchini bread to put it on!  This is not your regular old zucchini bread...even though my chocolate chip zucchini bread is quite tasty...but this is a yeast bread, with hints of citrus and cinnamon, that makes it delicious! It reminds me of the Hot Cross Buns I made at Easter.  I am storing some zucchini in the freezer so I can make this again at Christmas - it just has that yummy, festive flavor.

My bread sort of oozed over the sides of my loaf pan, so it's not the most beautiful loaf, but tasty nonetheless.

Zucchini Yeast Bread

adapted from Taste of Home

1 tablespoon active dry yeast

1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)

1/3 cup warm milk (110° to 115°)

1/3 cup sugar

3 tablespoons butter, softened

3 tablespoons grated orange peel *I used orange and lime

1/2 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 cups shredded unpeeled zucchini

1/3 cup raisins *I used a blend of dried cranberries, cherries and blueberries

1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons ground cardamom *I used 1 t. cinnamon, 1/2 t. nutmeg, 1/2 t. allspice instead

1-2/3 to 2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour *I used half whole wheat

Directions

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Beat in the milk, sugar, butter, orange peel and salt. Beat in the zucchini, raisins, whole wheat flour, cardamom and enough all-purpose flour to form a soft dough.
• Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/4 hours.
• Punch dough down; shape into a loaf. Place in a greased 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
• Bake at 375° for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to cool on a wire rack. Yield: 1 loaf.

**NOTES:  Either the baking time is too high or the cooking time is too long.  It took about 30-35 minutes for my oven, and even then it was a little dry.  Next time I'm going to reduce the oven temp to 350 F.  Also, I recommend doubling the amount of dried fruit.

holla. 

peace, love and happiness.

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I'm linking this recipe up with Life as Mom - Ultimate Recipe Swap