Zucchini Blondies with Penuche Fudge Frosting ~ these moist and tender zucchini blondies are decadent and delicious with an old time penuche fudge frosting, but watch out ~ they’re irresistible!
Got zucchini?
In between all your zoodles and ratatouilles, I highly recommend whipping up a batch (or two) of these divine Zucchini Blondies with Penuche Fudge Frosting. These can be your little secret — when your neighbors are trying to foist off their glut of backyard zucchini, you can just politely take it all in…as if you’re doing them a big favor…
You might be tempted to think of these little squares as being almost healthy, I mean, there’s a green veggie involved… but let me set you straight….these are serious desserts. That frosting sets up to a penuche fudge-like consistency and is quite rich. What’s penuche? (pronounced panucci)Â It’s an old-timey New England style vanilla candy, made with brown sugar and milk or cream, it’s like a blonde fudge. Ask your grandmother.
I love all vegetables, but I have to say that zucchini isn’t one of my favorites, it’s a little bland, and watery when it’s cooked. I think the best use of it is in cakes and breads. I like to use the small ones for shredding because you get more color and flavor that way.
Do you peel zucchini for blondies?
- Heck no, the peel adds nutrition and color.
The combination of the tender blondie and the creamy melt in your mouth fudge is a winner.
“There are so many recipes out there, I rarely make one twice, but I’m holding on to this one for zucchini season every year.” ~ Erin
Zucchini Blondies with Penuche Fudge Frosting
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup shredded zucchini packed
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts I used walnuts and pecans
penuche frosting
- 1/4 cup 1/2 stick unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp cream or milk
- 1 1/2 cups powdered confectioner's sugar, sifted
Instructions
- Set oven to 350F
- Start with the blondies. Beat the butter and brown sugar sugar together for a couple of minutes until well blended and the color lightens a bit. Work out any sugar lumps.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon. Fold in the flour, and then the zucchini and nuts. Mix just until well blended, don't over-mix.
- Turn the batter into a greased 9x9 square baking pan. I line mine with parchment with long ends so I can lift it out later for neater cutting, but that's optional. Smooth it out so the surface is flat.
- Bake for about 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out without wet batter clinging to it. Don't over bake these.
- Let cool a bit on a rack while you make the frosting. I like to frost these bars when they are still a little bit warm.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the sugar and cream. Bring the mixture up to a boil, whisking continuously.
- When it comes to a boil, take it off the heat and whisk in the sugar until you have a thick frosting. It will set up quickly, so pour it over the blondies and smooth out with an offset spatula before it hardens.
- Cut the blondies and enjoy!
more bars and squares…
Peanut Butter and Boysenberry Jam Bars
34 Comments
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
August 7, 2015 at 3:36 amI’m not a straight up zucchini fan either, so this is the perfect way to get some, I think 🙂 Love the penuche frosting!!
cheri
August 6, 2015 at 7:23 pmHi Sue, had to look up what a penuche frosting was, sounds delicious, I love zucchini in baked goodies they are always so moist.
victoria mcauliffe
August 6, 2015 at 6:54 pmSuper!!! Made these before work,the guys loved them. I’m old hand at the frosting tho. My granny made penuche all the time when we were growing up. She made an old country jam cake that was outrageous everyone of us grandkids requested it for our birthday she put the penuche frosting on it. We fought over the drippings in the center of the bundt cake and always wanted the spoon and pan from the frosting. Thank you for the beautiful memory and of course for another winner!!!!
Monique
August 6, 2015 at 3:22 pmI spied the green..I love it~
Sue
August 6, 2015 at 3:45 pm!! It’s hard to get the green to come through! Thanks Monique 🙂
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
August 6, 2015 at 2:57 pmThis must have terrific flavor and the color is beautiful! It looks wonderfully delicious! I love that you can see the little pieces of veggies so yes – this must be healthy! I tried to make penuche fudge one time and it was a total failure! You rocked this – sharing and pinning!
Sandi
August 6, 2015 at 2:45 pmI just ran across your site TODAY and the bars looked so delish, that I made them. YUMMY? Thank you
Sue
August 6, 2015 at 3:23 pmI’m so glad you found me Sandi — welcome in!
Renee
August 6, 2015 at 2:08 pmThese look so delicious, and elegant as well. And I think the frosting would be wonderful all by itself! 🙂
Jennifer
August 6, 2015 at 10:05 amAnd this is how one eats a blondie and counts it as health food 🙂 Pinned to try this weekend!
[email protected]'s+Recipes
August 6, 2015 at 9:01 amThese zucchini bars look amazingly delicious with penuche frosting!
Chris Scheuer
August 6, 2015 at 7:29 amYou’ve done it again. Only this time you’ve got me ready to climb over the fence and steal some zucchini from the neighbor since they haven’t offered me any. These look seriously delicious! And man, I’ve lived all these years and never knew how to pronounce penuche correctly!! Till now, thanks! 🙂
Sue
August 6, 2015 at 7:32 amHaha, thanks Chris…my husband says his grandmother was always talking about penuche!