If you’re on the hunt for an utterly irresistible bakery-style treat that transforms everyday zucchini into pure magic, look no further than A Stunning Loaf! This cinnamon streusel topped zucchini bread is everything you want in a homemade classic: moist, lush crumb, ribbons of warm spice, and a crunchy, sweet streusel that bakes up golden brown and glistening. Whether you’ve got garden zucchini to use up or just crave the comfort of spiced, cozy bread, A Stunning Loaf is about to become your new favorite. Pull up a chair and let’s bake a show-stopper together!

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t believe how simple yet essential these ingredients are in creating A Stunning Loaf. Each element, from the warming spices to the fresh zucchini, works together to give this bread its unbeatable moistness, flavor, and bakery-style character. Here’s what you’ll need, along with my personal tips for getting it just right!

All-purpose flour: The sturdy base for both your bread and streusel, giving the loaf structure without heaviness.
Ground cinnamon: Warming up every bite, cinnamon stars in both the batter and streusel for layered, fragrant spice.
Baking soda: Guarantees a lovely rise, so your loaf turns out tall and fluffy.
Salt: Just enough to balance out sweetness and intensify flavors.
Ground nutmeg: Adds a subtle, nutty spice for a more complex flavor profile.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the bread and the crispy streusel, ensuring just the right amount of indulgence.
Vegetable oil: Delivers unbeatable moistness and a tender crumb—don’t substitute with butter here!
Eggs: They help to bind everything together and add richness.
Vanilla extract: Infuses the batter with a warm, inviting aroma and sweetness.
Grated zucchini, squeezed dry: The secret hero—adds moisture, texture, and sneaks in veggies (trust me, no one will know!).
Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): For a little crunch and earthy flavor; totally adjustable based on your preference.
Light brown sugar: Gives the streusel topping a deliciously rich, caramel-like sweetness.
Cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces: The magic behind that perfectly crumbly, golden streusel topping. Work it in while cold for best results!

How to Make A Stunning Loaf

Step 1: Prep Your Pan & Oven

Start things off right by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and getting your 9×5 inch loaf pan ready. Grease it well and dust it lightly with flour, so your A Stunning Loaf slides out perfectly golden and intact. A little pan prep is the first step to a beautiful bakery finish!

Step 2: Whisk Together Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine your flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. Mixing dry ingredients first ensures that the spices and leaveners get evenly distributed, giving every slice of your finished loaf warm, balanced flavor.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and well blended. The oil brings tenderness, while vanilla adds an irresistible bakery aroma that will fill your kitchen.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry

Pour the wet mixture into your bowl of dry ingredients. Gently stir until just combined—no need to overmix! This gentle mixing keeps A Stunning Loaf tender and light, rather than dense.

Step 5: Add Zucchini and Nuts

Fold in your grated, well-squeezed zucchini (plus nuts if you’re using them). The zucchini will almost melt into the batter, giving your bread natural moisture and a beautiful crumb. Squeezing out excess water is crucial for the perfect texture.

Step 6: Pour Batter into Pan

Transfer the thick, fragrant batter to your prepared loaf pan, spreading it out evenly with a spatula. At this point, things should already smell amazing—just wait until the baking starts!

Step 7: Make Cinnamon Streusel Topping

In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon for the streusel. Add the cold, cubed butter and cut it in with a fork (or your fingertips), just until you have crumbly, buttery streusel bits. This step is what elevates A Stunning Loaf from homemade to bakery-style!

Step 8: Streusel & Bake

Carefully sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over your batter. Into the oven it goes for 50–60 minutes! The kitchen will fill with the most addictive aroma as A Stunning Loaf bakes into golden perfection—keep an eye out and test with a skewer for doneness near the end!

Step 9: Cool & Enjoy

Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set the crumb and make unmolding a breeze. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely—if you can wait that long! The result? A Stunning Loaf that slices beautifully and makes you proud every time.

How to Serve A Stunning Loaf

Garnishes

A dusting of powdered sugar, a light drizzle of glaze, or a few extra chopped nuts on top can make your A Stunning Loaf look straight out of a bakery window. For special occasions, add delicate curls of lemon zest or a little extra cinnamon sprinkle just before serving.

Side Dishes

Enjoy thick slices with a hot cup of coffee or chai for pure morning bliss. It also pairs well with a scoop of vanilla yogurt or a side of fresh fruit salad for a balanced brunch spread. For dessert vibes, serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn A Stunning Loaf into individually wrapped breakfast gifts—think cute parchment paper and twine! Or slice and stack with creamy spreads like honey butter, cream cheese, or even a swipe of lemon curd for an unforgettable tea party centerpiece. Kids love mini-loaf versions baked in muffin tins, too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once A Stunning Loaf is completely cool, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Keep it at room temperature for up to three days—the streusel will stay crisp, and the crumb will remain moist and dreamy.

Freezing

This bread freezes like a dream! Wrap individual slices or the whole loaf in a double layer of plastic and foil, then stash in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw overnight on the counter for quick, grab-and-go breakfast magic.

Reheating

To enjoy warm slices, pop a piece in the microwave for about 10 seconds or reheat in the oven at 300°F for 5–10 minutes. The heat revives the cinnamon aroma and crisps the streusel just like when A Stunning Loaf was fresh!

FAQs

Can I make A Stunning Loaf gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute a good-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour for the all-purpose flour in both the bread and streusel. Keep an eye on texture and adjust with a splash of milk if needed, since gluten-free flours can be a bit thirstier.

Do I need to peel or seed the zucchini?

Nope! Simply grate your zucchini with the skin on for maximum color, nutrition, and moisture. If your zucchini is especially large and seedy, scoop out the big seeds before grating, but otherwise, small and medium zucchinis are perfect as is.

Can I skip the nuts?

Of course—A Stunning Loaf is delicious with or without nuts. The crunch is a fun bonus, but the bread’s texture and flavor shine no matter what. Try swapping in chocolate chips or dried cranberries for a different twist!

How do I know when my zucchini bread is done baking?

Start checking at 50 minutes: insert a wooden skewer or toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, your A Stunning Loaf is ready. If it’s still gooey, give it a few more minutes and check again.

What’s the best way to keep the streusel topping crisp?

The key is to use cold butter cut into the streusel and not to cover the loaf while it’s still warm. Let A Stunning Loaf cool completely before wrapping for storage, and if it softens, a quick few minutes in the oven will refresh that irresistible crunch.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something joyful about baking A Stunning Loaf that never gets old. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, a pick-me-up with coffee, and a gorgeous centerpiece for brunch. Give it a try—your kitchen (and everyone in it!) will thank you. Enjoy every scrumptious, streusel-topped bite!