The Best Zucchini Bars

A square piece of zucchini cake with cream cheese frosting sits on a white plate, reminiscent of classic zucchini bars, with another piece blurred in the background.

4.50 from 38 votes

These are the best zucchini bars! They taste like a moist spice cake with a cream cheese frosting. You'll find cinnamon, shredded zucchini and carrots, and walnuts in these bars. This is one of the best zucchini recipes I can think of!

Prep Time25

Cook Time24

Total Time49

Servings: bars

Author: Miranda Couse

Ingredients

Zucchini Bars

1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups shredded zucchini don't squeeze
1 small carrot shredded
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 cup chopped walnuts

Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 cup salted butter room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Bars

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 17x11x1 or 15x10x1 pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, add in the vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Mix with a hand mixer for 1 minute until well combined.
1 cup vegetable oil, 2 cups granulated sugar, 3 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a separate bowl, sift flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Whisk to combine.
2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Add the dry ingredients in with the wet ingredients. Mix with a hand mixer on low until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
Fold in the shredded zucchini and carrots.
2 cups shredded zucchini, 1 small carrot
Fold in rolled oats and walnuts.
3/4 cup rolled oats, 1 cup chopped walnuts
Spread out on prepared pan. Place in the oven and bake for 24 minutes. Let cool completely and frost.

Frosting

In a large bowl, combine butter and cream cheese. Beat with the hand mixer until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
1/2 cup salted butter, 8 ounces cream cheese
Add in vanilla and powdered sugar. Mix on low until the powdered sugar is well incorporated. Turn mixer on high and mix for an additional minute or two.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 cups powdered sugar
Spread on cooled bars with an offset spatula.

Notes

Use toasted walnuts for extra flavor. Toast the walnuts in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 7 to 8 minutes, being sure to stir them half way through baking.

1 small shredded carrots is about 1/3 cup.

Storage: Store the bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition