Perfect Yellow Squash Bread

Have you ever wondered what to do with all that beautiful yellow squash growing in your garden? This yellow squash bread recipe is about to become your new favorite way to use up that abundant summer harvest. Just like traditional zucchini bread, this moist and tender loaf turns humble garden vegetables into something absolutely magical.

I've been making this yellow squash bread for years, and it never fails to surprise people with how incredibly delicious it tastes. The secret is in how the yellow squash bread stays perfectly moist while adding just a hint of sweetness. Trust me, once you try this yellow squash bread recipe, you'll be looking forward to squash season every year!

Why This Yellow Squash Bread Recipe Stands Out

What makes this yellow squash bread so special compared to other quick bread recipes? First, yellow squash has a slightly milder flavor than zucchini, which means it blends beautifully with warm spices without overpowering the bread. The natural moisture content in yellow squash bread creates an incredibly tender crumb that stays fresh for days.

This yellow squash bread recipe has been perfected over many baking sessions to give you the ideal balance of sweetness and spice. Unlike some vegetable breads that can be dense or heavy, this yellow squash bread is light and fluffy while still being satisfying. The best part is that even people who claim they don't like vegetables will happily eat slice after slice of this delicious yellow squash bread.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Recipe Variations & Substitutions
• Equipment
• Storage & Meal Prep Tips
• Grandma's Secret That Changes Everything
• FAQ
• Delicious Ways to Use Your Summer Harvest
• Related
• Pairing
• Yellow Squash Bread Recipe

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

• Shredded yellow squash (about 2 medium squash)
• Eggs, room temperature
• Vegetable oil
• Nelted butter
• Vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar, packed
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Ground cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Salt

Optional Add-ins

• Chopped walnuts or pecans
• Mini chocolate chips
• Lemon zest

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Prepare Your Yellow Squash and Pan

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.
2. Wash and trim the ends off your yellow squash, then grate using the large holes of a box grater.
3. Place the grated squash in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess moisture ; this step is crucial for perfect yellow squash bread.
4. Measure out exactly 2 cups of the squeezed squash and set aside.

Mix the Wet Ingredients

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs until well beaten.
2. Add the vegetable oil, melted butter, and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
3. Fold in the prepared yellow squash until evenly distributed.
4. Let this mixture sit for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix Batter

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
2. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined.
3. Don't overmix ; a few lumps are perfectly fine and will help keep your bread tender.
4. If using nuts, chocolate chips, or lemon zest, gently fold them in now.

Bake to Perfection

1. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.
2. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
3. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Wait at least 30 minutes before slicing for the best texture and cleanest cuts.

Expert Cooking Tips

Moisture Control is Key Always squeeze out excess moisture from your grated yellow squash. Too much liquid will make your bread soggy and prevent it from rising properly. Use a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to press out as much water as possible.

Room Temperature Ingredients Bring your eggs to room temperature before mixing. Cold eggs can cause the batter to curdle when mixed with the oil and melted butter, affecting the final texture of your bread.

Don't Overmix the Batter Once you add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stir just until everything is combined. Overmixing develops the gluten too much, resulting in tough, dense bread instead of the tender crumb we want.

Test for Doneness Properly Your bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it. If it comes out completely clean, your bread might be slightly overbaked.

Cooling Matters Let the bread cool in the pan for exactly 10 minutes before turning it out. This prevents it from falling apart while still preventing soggy bottoms from trapped steam.

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

Healthier Options You can easily make this recipe healthier by substituting half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Replace half the oil with unsweetened applesauce for fewer calories while maintaining moisture. Greek yogurt can also replace some of the oil for added protein.

Flavor Variations Try adding different spices like cardamom, ginger, or allspice for unique flavor profiles. Lemon zest brightens the whole loaf, while orange zest adds a citrusy twist. For chocolate lovers, add cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and fold in chocolate chips.

Different Add-ins Chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds add wonderful texture and flavor. Dried fruits such as raisins, cranberries, or chopped dates work beautifully too. Seeds like pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds provide extra nutrition and crunch.

Dietary Modifications Make it gluten-free by using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free version, use coconut oil instead of butter and ensure your chocolate chips are dairy-free. Reduce sugar by using natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey, adjusting liquid ingredients accordingly.

Equipment

Essential Equipment A sharp box grater is crucial for getting the right texture from your yellow squash. A 9x5-inch loaf pan gives you the perfect shape and size. Use a large mixing bowl to prevent spills when combining ingredients. Wire cooling racks help prevent soggy bottoms by allowing air circulation.

Helpful Tools Kitchen towels or paper towels are essential for removing excess moisture from the grated squash. A rubber spatula helps fold ingredients gently without overmixing. Measuring cups and spoons ensure accurate ingredient ratios for consistent results.

Storage & Meal Prep Tips

Short-term Storage Store your cooled yellow squash bread wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil at room temperature for up to 3 days. For slightly longer storage, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Freezing Instructions This bread freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil or place in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Meal Prep Ideas Slice the bread and freeze individual portions for quick breakfast or snack options. You can also prepare the grated squash ahead of time and freeze it in measured portions for future baking.

Serving Suggestions Serve slices toasted with butter for breakfast, or enjoy plain as an afternoon snack. It pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea, and makes an excellent addition to brunch spreads.

FAQ

Delicious Ways to Use Your Summer Harvest

Now that you've mastered this incredible yellow squash bread, you'll want to explore other ways to use your abundant summer squash harvest. The versatility of yellow squash means you're never short of delicious options to keep your family satisfied and your garden produce from going to waste.

Consider trying Roasted Yellow Squash as a savory side dish that brings out the natural sweetness through caramelization, or whip up some Yellow Squash Tots for a fun, kid-friendly way to get more vegetables into your meals. Both recipes complement this yellow squash bread perfectly and help you make the most of your summer garden bounty while creating memorable family meals that everyone will request again and again.

With love from my kitchen to yours,
Taylor Monroe

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this yellow squash bread recipe: