Simple Zucchini Brownies

Simple Zucchini Brownies

I love Zucchini brownies, but most of the recipes I have found make it more complicated than it needs to be. Basically, you are substituting the stick of butter for two cups of zucchini squash. You can tweak this recipe in other ways too. But here are the basics:

Ingredients:

2 cups of zucchini or summer squash, grated
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 Tablespoons of oil or butter
2 bars (4 oz) of Unsweeted Chocolate broken into pieces (if you prefer to use baking powder, mix it with the dry ingredients and add two extra tablespoons of oil or butter to the wet ingredients)
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups flour (I use half white and half whole wheat)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup nuts or chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 and grease a 13 X 9 baking pan.
Heat up the butter (if using it) and unsweetened chocolate until it is mostly melted. (Chocolate will take about one minute to melt in the microwave.) Mix in the sugar, (oil if using it), and vanilla. Beat the egg and add it. Mix in the zucchini. In a separate bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix. Fold in nuts or chocolate chips if you desire.
Pour into the baking pan. Bake for 30-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. (Baking times will vary depending on the moisture content of your zucchini. Check your brownies often.)

Enjoy!