Zucchini Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

I could eat one of these zucchini bars with every meal – or as a meal, I love it that much! By the time you add the frosting, you could even call this a dessert! With the cinnamon and the frosting, this is something my kids just love. My husband surprised himself with liking it, despite him not being the biggest zucchini fan. This isn’t too hard to make either, which is always a bonus!

I’m all about getting my kids to eat their veggies.  But, they don’t always agree with me.  That means, when I can find a way to hide them in dishes I create, I’m all for it!  One of their favorite things is dessert – of course.  I was able to create these yummy zucchini bars with cream cheese frosting and they’ve been none the wiser.

We love making them any time of the year, but they are really perfect for any fall gathering.  The way the cinnamon comes through the bars just makes it feel more like a fall dessert.   And, with your fall harvest of zucchini, you’ll have just one more thing you can create!

This isn’t the only fall dessert you will want to make. Check out our pecan pie cobbler and pumpkin roll recipes which are both the perfect way to end any family meal.  And, just like this one – they are SUPER easy to make (but that will be our little secret).

Zucchini Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Author: Ally

Ingredients

BARS

2 cups grated zucchini
3 eggs
1 cup oil
2 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans

ICING

8 oz cream cheese
1 stick room temperature unsalted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Spray small 8×8 or 9×9 pan with cooking spray.
2. Grate zucchinis.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs until foamy.
4. Gradually add in oil and sugar.
5. Add zucchini, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Blend well with hand mixer. Gradually add flour and beat until smooth.
6. Fold in pecans.
7. Spread into the bottom pan.
8. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes in the middle rack; then move to top rack and reduce heat to 225 and bake for 10 minutes at time.  Check for clean cake tester and repeat until baked through (usually around 25 – 35 total baking time).
9. While the bars cool, start the icing.
10. Beat cream cheese until smooth.
11. Gradually add butter and beat until smooth.
12. Add in powdered sugar and vanilla and beat JUST until smooth, do not overbeat.
13. Icing your bars, cut into squares, top with additional pecans if desired, serve and enjoy!