Tasty zucchini loaf with lemon icing

This delicious loaf is the perfect treat to enjoy as the weather starts to get warmer. The unique mix of zucchini, lemon and vanilla makes for the ideal balance of sweet and tangy flavours that absolutely everyone will enjoy! Thanks to the addition of zucchini, the cake itself is deliciously moist which works perfectly with the thick and refreshing lemon glaze. You can top this loaf with whatever you prefer whether that be be pistachios, like this recipe suggests, or something else. We think walnuts would also work quite well. Try this tasty treat when it’s fresh and still warm from the oven with a bit of butter melting into the cake and you’ll never want to try another loaf again!

Ingredients

• 3 cups plain flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups caster sugar
• Zest of 2 large lemons
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup light olive oil (not extra-virgin)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups grated zucchini
• 1/2 cup crushed pistachios
  Glaze
• 2 cups icing sugar
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Method

1. Preheat oven to 160C. Grease and lightly flour two loaf pans. Set aside. Add flour, salt, bicarbonate of soda and baking powder to large bowl. Whisk together to combine. Set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, add sugar and lemon zest. Rub together with your fingers until fragrant. Add eggs, olive oil, lemon juice, and vanilla to lemon zest mixture. Whisk together until smooth. Gradually stir in dry ingredients to wet ingredients until combined and batter is thickened. Stir in zucchini. Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake for 60-65 minutes, or until skewer inserted in centre comes out clean. Place on cooling rack in pans for 15 minutes to cool. Loosen sides of bread with a knife. Carefully remove loaves from pans. Leave to cool completely on rack.
4. Meanwhile, combine icing sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl. Whisk until completely smooth. Spread glaze over loaves. Top with chopped pistachios. Slice and serve.