Prize Winning Cranberry Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

A festive loaf everyone will love this holiday season!







These smell so good cooking~!

Disposable loaf pans are perfect for giveaways, tree pan can be found at any local dollar stores great to bring for holiday parties or you can use regular size loaf pans.

 This is a very old recipe from back in the 80's. I actually won a ribbon at a fair in Upstate NY one year. I entered  in a  quick bread baking contest and this won first prize...hope you like this one too... they make great gifts for family or co-workers, this bread is so festive looking when you cut it!

Of course look who has to get into the Christmas spirit here, our boy Fonzo! ( we call him Fonzo Bear so I guess he blends right in trying to fit in with the crowd!)

Cranberry Zucchini Chocolate Chip Bread
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini
1 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon orange zest
1 cup chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional) as shown
1 cup chocolate chips (optional) as shown

DIRECTIONS In a large bowl or heavy mixer (such as Kitchenaide), combine the first seven ingredients. In another bowl, beat eggs, add zucchini, oil and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until blended. Fold in the cranberries, chocolate chips and walnuts.

Pour into two heavilly greased and floured 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pans or various shaped pans I prefer to use disposable ones, they freeze better and much easier, and lightly spray with oil first.  I also line my pans with parchment  paper on the  bottom of christmas trees or non disposable loaf pans, so to ensure easy removal.  Bake at 350 degrees  for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. These freeze nicely!