Rec/Rev/Pics.....Blueberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Zucchini Bread

[Jerryanne]

What? Another zucchini bread flavor? You betcha!

Since our garden is giving us so many squash this year, I'm having lots of fun making new versions of zucchini bread. This is the latest one.

Cyndy and I were talking about different pudding flavors to use in recipes and she mentioned instant cheesecake pudding........I can't get the regular version around here, only the sugar-free one. She sent me some of the regular cheesecake flavor instant pudding-and the idea wheels started turning. By the way-if you can't find cheesecake instant pudding in your area-feel free to substitute vanilla instant pudding or French Vanilla instant pudding-you wouldn't get the cheesecake flavor (unless you add additional cheesecake oil) but the bread would still be wonderful.

Bob suggested adding blueberries to the bread...blueberry cheesecake......MMMMM....good idea! I used some wild blueberries that my daughter Robin had picked and given to me. They were frozen-hence the slight "bleed" of color in the bread.......that's OK-it doesn't affect the taste at all. I like using the smaller blueberries in muffins and breads if at all possible-they're less apt to "sinK" to the bottom which the larger berries have a mind to do-even if you flour them. For this bread, I saved some of the flour mixture for the bread in the bowl to toss the berries in before gently folding them into the batter.

I poked around in my baking supply cabinet and saw that I had an abundance of white chocolate baking bars........hmmmmmm, cheesecake pudding, blueberries and white chocolate....that sounds like it just might work.

I shred the zucchini with my box grater on the large hole side, then put the shreds in a mesh strainer to drain while assembling the other ingredients. Just before I added the zucchini to the bowl, I pressed on it to release any excess juice-and there was PLENTY. I've been doing this lately when baking with zucchini, and I really like the outcome.

I used the Extra Coarse Microplane paddle grater (THANK YOU Cyndy!) to grate the white chocolate. You could use the large holes on a box grater to grate it, chop the chocolate by hand or use white chocolate chips. I would give the chips a few quick pulses in a food processor or rough chop them by hand so that white chocolate flavor can spread all throughout the bread.

I also added 1/8 tsp. of Cheesecake flavored oil that Cyndy had sent me a while back.....I LOVE using the flavored oils in baking-they really enhance the flavor of ingredients that sometimes need a little boost of flavor. These oils can be found in candy making supply stores, craft stores or online. I highly recommend them and am SO glad Cyndy put me wise to them. This ingredient is totally optional in the bread.

I opted to peel the zucchini so that it would disappear into the bread-you could easily make this leaving the peel on-it's totally up to you.

The last thing I added was the zest and juice of 1 lemon since I always add that to cheesecakes I bake.

I can't say ENOUGH good things about this bread. It's soft and moist with a tiny hint of that cheesecake flavor-I was hoping for a more distinct level of that taste, so the next time I make this I'm going to add another 1/8 tsp. of the cheesecake oil...that should bump the cheesecake flavor up nicely. The white chocolate flavor shines through and the blueberries add a beautiful pop of fruit flavor. The peeled zucchini is barely noticeable-you can see peeks of it in the close-up of the slices-just a hint of light yellow-green. Only the baker knows for sure that there's even zucchini in this. We can keep that our "secret."

By the way-if you can't find cheesecake instant pudding in your area-feel free to substitute vanilla instant pudding or French Vanilla instant pudding-you wouldn't get the cheesecake flavor (unless you add additional cheesecake oil) but the bread would still be wonderful.



We're having VERY humid weather here right now so I found that the bread got sort of wet on the outside-I opted to refrigerate it. Since I haven't made it in non-humid weather, I don't know if it would have to be refrigerated any other time.

I'm having so much fun creating new zucchini bread recipes.....and I'm not done yet-the garden is still popping out squash so back to the drawing board I go.

This one has a long title, I know...it's a mouthful......and the bread? A mouthful of DELICIOUS! Into the keepers file the recipe goes! Now......onto the next experiment.............


Carol





BLUEBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE ZUCCHINI BREAD

3 eggs, beaten
1 c. granulated sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. cheesecake flavored oil (optional)
1 c. canola OR vegetable oil
Juice and grated rind of 1 lemon
2 c. peeled, grated zucchini
3 c. all-purpose flour
1 (4-serving size) pkg. cheesecake instant pudding mix
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3 oz. white chocolate, grated OR finely chopped
2 c. fresh or frozen blueberries (if using frozen blueberries, do not thaw)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease (2) 9x5-inch OR (5) 5x3-inch loaf pans; set aside.

Place shredded zucchini in a mesh strainer to drain; set aside while assembling other ingredients.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, vanilla, cheesecake oil (if using), canola oil, lemon juice and lemon rind until light.

Squeeze excess moisture out of shredded zucchini; stir into egg mixture.

In a medium bowl. combine flour, cheesecake pudding mix, salt, baking soda, baking powder and grated white chocolate; mix well. Add all but about 1/4 cup flour mixture to egg mixture; stir just until combined.

Toss blueberries in the remaining flour mixture; gently fold berries and whatever flour mixture is left into the bread batter just until combined.

Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake @ 350 degrees for 45-60 minute for the large loaves and 35-45 minutes for the smaller loaves, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let breads cool in pans on wire rack for 15 minutes; remove from pans to wire rack and cool completely, Makes 2 large or 5 small loaves.

[Smokeysmomm]

I knew you'd be able to make use of that microplane. Love that its for heartier grating. you get a meatier cut with it. You are going to love grating Parmesan with it. I think I need to break out the Extract powders to bump up and brighten the flavors of the new breads. Keep up the fantastic job Carol, i'm lovin every new flavor you've come up with!

[Ann M]

OHHH MY!!! CAROL!,I can see I will be doing,alot of cooking and baking this weekend! It is suppose to rain all weekend,so it will be perfect.Thanks so much,for posting these recipes.

[indianachick]

If I am unable to find the cheesecake pudding mix, any suggestions as to what other pudding to use?

[Jerryanne]

Cyndy, that Microplane made FAST work of grating that chocolate that's for sure. That puppy is SHARP.

We got a lot of rain last night-hoping it doesn't rot any zucchini that are just starting in the garden....it's feast or famine with weather these days around here. I have a few more bread ideas I wanna try.

Hi Ann...........looks like you've got your rainy weekend all set up to play in the kitchen-that's always a good thing. Can you get the instant cheesecake pudding where you live? I was amazed when I couldn't find it yet they carried the sugar-free cheesecake pudding. I forgot to ask Robin if she could get it in NH-I know another friend near Manchester NH said her grocery store she shops at has it. If you CAN'T find it? Go ahead and substitute instant vanilla pudding or French vanilla flavor if your store carries that. The cheesecake flavor in the bread is VERY faint-I think it tastes more like white chocolate-so don't fret if you can't get the cheesecake flavor-go to plan B and use vanilla-it will still taste wonderful.......OR if your store has white chocolate instant pudding-go ahead and substitute that. There's no rules here-use what you can get. That's what I do!

If you have any candy supply stores in the area-or even a Michael's craft store-check and see if they carry the Loran flavored oils. Those are THE BEST THING to have on hand to bump flavor up. Michael's may have them, I'm just not sure how many flavors they carry. Here's a website that carries a TON of flavors...

http://www.thebakerskitchen.net/

Here's the link to the flavored oils.........

http://www.thebakerskitchen.net/Cand...ring-Oils.aspx

Click on the bar that says "flavors available" and WOW...............all KINDS of flavors. I LOVE the cheesecake flavor and the coconut. You don't need much since they're so concentrated so that little bottle lasts quite a while. Cyndy put me wise to these and I'm SO glad she did. I add different flavors to the white chocolate when I make Susie's White Chocolate Popcorn...........MMMMMMMMMM!

Have fun baking this weekend-can't wait to hear what you come up with in the kitchen.

[Ann M]

I don"t know if any of our stores,carry the cheesecake pudding.I will have to see when,I go grocery shopping.That is what I was thinking to use,was vanilla pudding,if I couldn"t find the cheesecake one.OH MY! White Chocolate?How great,would that be?Thanks for the link on the oils.I have a few on hand,but I am always looking for more.LOL

[Jerryanne]

I haven't seen it in any stores here Ann........and the flavor of cheesecake isn't prominent at all so vanilla would work fine. I'm gonna add some more cheesecake oil next time to see if I can get the flavor stronger. I'm afraid cream cheese would make the bread too heavy.

The grated white chocolate really adds a nice flavor though-that's what I taste more than cheesecake but I ain't quitting on getting more of that flavor in this. It's good though.........really REALLY good.

I reshot the photos today (Thursday)....the sun was causing hate and discontent the other day-it sort of behaved today.....sorta..........

[Smokeysmomm]

Love the new pics!

[Ann M]

I went grocery shopping today.I couldn"t find the cheesecake pudding.I am going to use the vanilla.I can"t wait,to make it this weekend.

[Jerryanne]

This will be great with vanilla Ann......that doggone cheesecake pudding is elusive as all get out............wonder why?

I hope you like this as much as we did...............