zucchini bars

cravings are in full swing for this pregnant lady.  it started with anything peach, and then pickles, then to watermelon sorbet, then vernors, cream soda and my current craving is zucchini.  i was telling my mom about my cravings and she said, just plain zucchini??   no, not just straight-up zucchini, it needs to be covered in cheese or in bar form.  i don’t think there is any other way to eat zucchini!  well, maybe bread.

this recipe was a summer staple in our house growing up.  at the end of summer, we’d have all kinds of vegetables coming out of our ears and mom would make this delicious treat.  it turned out just like i remembered and i feel a little less guilty about eating them, because they are full of veggies!

source: dear ol’ mom

for the bars:

• 3/4 c butter, at room temp
• 1/2 c brown sugar
• 1/2 c sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 3/4 c flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 2 c shredded zucchini
• 3/4 chopped nuts (optional)
• 1 c coconut

for the glaze:

• 1 1/2 tbsp melted butter
• 1 c powdered sugar
• 2 1/2 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1. cream butter until fluffy.
2. beat in sugar and eggs.
3. avoid looks from your dog about the use of your loud mixer.
   
4. add vanilla.
5. stir in dry ingredients.
6. stir in zucchini, coconut and nuts.
   
7. spread in greased 10″ x 15″ pan.
   
8. bake at 350° for 30-35 mins.
9. when bars are cooling, prep the glaze.
10. melt butter.
    
11. whisk in remaining ingredients.
    
12. spread over warm bars, make sure to wait until the bars are just warm and not piping hot from the oven.  it will absorb into the bars if you don’t wait!