These zucchini bars with caramel frosting are the richest and most decadent in my arsenal of zucchini desserts ~ the cake is uber moist and the frosting is dense and delicious, almost like a caramel fudge!
the ultimate zucchini bars
I feel like I can move on now, confident that I’ve covered everything in the zucchini department, from pancakes and brownies to burgers, fries, crisps, casseroles, cakes, pies, and more. I’ve done well by these little green squash. But they deserve all the attention ~ they’re so easy to grow, and they’re always available. When you shred and bake them into bars like these, they add an indescribable lusciousness. If you still have zucchini left in your garden, or you just love the little guys, these bars will make you happy.
what you’ll need for decadent zucchini bars
- zucchini
- pecans
- eggs
- butter
- sugar, you’ll need granulated sugar for the bars, brown sugar, and confectioner’s sugar for the frosting.
- all purpose flour
- milk or cream
- baking soda and salt
- cinnamon and nutmeg
- vanilla extract
The frosting is omg delish
It’s an easy cook and pour deal that really makes these bars hard to resist. It’s thick and rich and turns simple zucchini bars into something unique and special. It’s actually hard to believe that milk, butter, and sugar can transform in a matter of minutes into this divine substance!
how to make hot caramel frosting
Once you see how easy it is to make this epic frosting, you’ll want to pour it over everything (I won’t stop you.)
- Combine butter, brown sugar, milk and salt in a small saucepan. Note: you can use half and half, heavy cream, or even buttermilk in place of the milk.
- Bring to a boil, stirring.
- Whisk in powdered sugar until smooth and glossy.
- Pour over your zucchini bars.
- Lick the pan clean.
the decadent side of zucchini!
This is about as decadent as zucchini will ever get, unless of course you consider my chocolate zucchini bread. The two of them bring out a side of this summer veg we don’t get to experience very often. I’m sure you’ve got plenty of zukes to spare right now, so why not take the plunge and give these a try? Believe me, they don’t disappoint!
craving more zucchini?
- Old Fashioned Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Blue Ribbon Zucchini Pie
- Zucchini Parmesan Crisps
- Blueberry Zucchini Snack Cake with Lemon Buttercream
- Gluten Free Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
- Lemon Poppy Seed Zucchini Bread
Zucchini bars
Ingredients
For the zucchini bars
- 2 large eggs
- 12 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
For the caramel frosting
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp milk or cream
- pinch salt
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 and butter a 9×9 baking pan. Line with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Whisk well.
- Whisk in the baking soda, and then fold in the flour until no pockets of dry ingredients remain.
- Fold in the shredded zucchini and the chopped pecans.
- Spread the batter into your prepared baking pan and bake for about 35-45 minutes until risen.
- Allow the cake to partially cool while you make the frosting. I like to pour the frosting on the cake while it's still a bit warm for easier spreading.
For the frosting
- In a small saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, milk, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat. When it beings to boil, remove it from the heat.
- Whisk in the powdered sugar until the frosting is smooth, and pour it over the cake. Note: spread it quickly, the frosting begins to set almost immediately.
- I like to allow the frosting to cool before slicing into bars.
Cook’s notes
Nutrition
36 Comments
Melissa
August 13, 2021 at 7:18 amI have been making the original recipe and would love that one, it has been such a hit! Can I have the original please??
Sydni
August 12, 2021 at 4:51 pmDo you think i could bake them as muffins instead?
Sue Moran
August 12, 2021 at 5:24 pmI really think it would be too dense to bake as muffins, Sydni, but I haven’t tried!
Ann Z.
July 30, 2021 at 8:37 amGreat recipe, but I should have baked a little longer due to some gooey parts in various places, even though tested done with a toothpick.
I love penuche icing, but even for me, this was a little too much. I would probably make about a half recipe of icing next time, and I think it would be just as great.
Carol H
July 26, 2021 at 7:01 pmAmazing, super easy, and so so good. Made them for my work friends, and they loved them. They wanted this recipe.
Katie
October 5, 2020 at 9:01 pmMade this tonight – quite easy and it IS AMAZING!!!! Definitely try this one!!!
Sue Moran
August 7, 2021 at 7:58 amYay!!
Chef Potpie
August 21, 2020 at 6:42 pmI had no doubt about this recipe, because your recipes are always fabulous, but can I just say “WOW!”? These bars were a hit, from the body to the frosting. I had to wince a bit before hubby tasted them, and I explained to him that there were nuts in them. (He does not like nuts in anything, although he does like pecans, just not in sweets. Go figure.) He called to me from the den, “Hon, the nuts work in these!” YAY! And they do. I baked them in a glass pan for 30 minutes, and they were pretty moist, so next time I’m going to bake another 5 and blot my zucchini a little more aggressively. I didn’t use cinnamon, because frankly, I forgot it, but we love them without! And there are just no words for this lovely frosting. I had dark brown sugar, so my frosting came out a bit darker than your picture. I want to say that I usually half again the frosting recipes because we like a lot of frosting, but this one had the right amounts to make it just the thickness we like! This recipe is going straight into my “Best Of” file. What a wonderful way to use my zucchini! I love your blog and your recipes! Thanks!
Judy
August 19, 2020 at 12:25 pmThere is no amount written in for the granulated sugar. Please send. Thanx.
Sue
August 19, 2020 at 12:41 pmI’m not sure why it’s not showing up for you Judy, it’s 1/2 cup.
Geneil
August 19, 2020 at 10:39 amCan you double this and put it in a cookie sheet? Like with pumpkin bars?
Sue
August 19, 2020 at 11:31 amI haven’t tried it, but it should work!
Jenn
July 8, 2021 at 5:04 pmCan frozen shredded zucchini be used in this recipe?
Sue Moran
July 8, 2021 at 5:27 pmI honestly can’t say because I’ve never used that. If you’ve used it successfully in zucchini recipes before, then it should work.
Jenn
July 14, 2021 at 4:52 amI decided to give it a shot. The frozen zucchini works although due to the extra moisture it required more cooking time. Great recipe! Thanks! This one is a keeper ?
Maureen
August 16, 2020 at 10:15 amAfter grating, do you press the liquid out of the zucchini?
Sue
August 16, 2020 at 2:40 pmI don’t find that’s necessary Maureen.
Mary Ann
July 29, 2020 at 8:55 amDo you peel the zucchini?
Sue
July 29, 2020 at 9:40 amNope, just leave as is.
Jess
July 23, 2020 at 5:05 pmCan you use walnuts instead?
Sue
July 23, 2020 at 5:29 pmAbsolutely.
Monica
September 15, 2016 at 8:28 pmI made these and they turned out great! I did use a gf flour blend ( bob’s red mill), so I added a bit extra oil. Also cut the sugar in the cake batter in half (3/4 c)…and in the frosting- half of the br sugar. Still PLENTY sweet and scrumptious!!!
Sue
September 15, 2016 at 8:39 pmI’ve heard from a lot of people that the Bob’s Red Mill GF flour does a great job in substituting for all purpose flour, thanks Monica.
Georgia
January 30, 2016 at 3:35 amMine turned out a bit too goey. Even though when tested the skewer came out clean and it bounced back when gently pressed. Next time I would bake for longer. I did sub gluten free flour blend though.
Carla
September 20, 2014 at 12:15 pmA new zucchini dessert recipe is always welcome, as I typically have a lot of zucchini during the late summer/early fall months.
The only suggestion I have is to state WHICH sugar to add and when in the frosting directions. I added the confectioners’ sugar with the butter, but now as it’s made, and I put the brown sugar in last, my frosting is brown, and not nearly as thick as it should be. Otherwise, once cool, I’m anxious to try it! So, for future users, put in the brown sugar with the butter, and confectioners’ sugar last.
Carol at Wild Goose Tea
September 13, 2014 at 7:49 pmThis look like #1 bars. I pinned it for the frosting. I didn’t have good success with Paula Deen’s caramel frosting. It just tasted sweet and not like the caramel frosting I actually got from a QFC bakery. Soooo I am pleased to find another tested recipe to try.
Susan
September 12, 2014 at 6:48 amThey would be so worth the calories! Love them from top to bottom.
[email protected]
September 11, 2014 at 4:59 amThese look great – I am enticed to pin this one.
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
September 10, 2014 at 10:25 pmLove these bars – especially that frosting!
Luci {Luci's Morsels}
September 10, 2014 at 8:40 pmI love every word in this recipe’s name! And I’m giggling that you told me I can’t pretend these are healthy because they have zucchini. I might still try though!
Catherine
September 10, 2014 at 8:25 pmLooks wonderful and sounds wonderful. Perfect. Catherine
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
September 10, 2014 at 4:03 pmYou had me at caramel frosting, I’d like a nice corner slice, please!
Denise Warner
September 10, 2014 at 3:50 pmI found “The view from Great Island” when I was looking for Dutch oven recipes. Your site never fails to inspire me!
Sue
September 10, 2014 at 5:36 pmI love to hear that, Denise, thanks! 🙂
Kathy
September 10, 2014 at 1:05 pmThese look scrumptious! I would love to have one with my tea right now!
Diane {Created by Diane}
September 10, 2014 at 12:10 pmI love everything about these, and that frosting…mmmm!