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Soft Zucchini Cookies — Chewy, Bakery-Style Cookies Made With Summer Zucchini Pinterest recipe pin

Soft Zucchini Cookies — Easy Bakery-Style Chewy Cookies

Tender, chewy cookies that use grated zucchini for moisture and a bakery-style texture—soft centers, lightly crisp edges, and chocolate chips for a familiar sweet finish.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 18 cookies
Calories: 160

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium zucchini about 6–7 ounces, grated and drained, yielding about 1/3–1/2 cup
  • 10 tablespoons unsalted butter softened (1 stick + 2 tablespoons)
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Optional additions
  • 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts or pecans optional

Equipment

  • 1 Box grater
  • 1 Mixing bowl and electric mixer or stand mixer
  • 1 Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
  • 1 Kitchen towel or fine-mesh sieve for draining zucchini
  • 1 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop (optional)

Method
 

Prepare the zucchini
  1. Wash and trim the zucchini, grate on the large holes, then place the grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel or fine-mesh sieve and press or squeeze to remove excess liquid until it measures about 1/3–1/2 cup.
Make the dough
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a bowl, cream the softened butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until light, about 2–3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla until combined.
  2. Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until just combined. Fold in the drained zucchini and chocolate chips; do not overmix.
Chill and bake
  1. Cover the bowl and chill the dough for 20–30 minutes to firm up the butter. Portion dough with a 1.5-tablespoon scoop or rounded tablespoon onto prepared sheets, spacing 2 inches apart, and press a few extra chocolate chips on top if desired.
  2. Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes, rotating pans halfway through; edges should be set and lightly golden while centers remain slightly soft. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Drain grated zucchini thoroughly to avoid excess moisture; measure after draining (about 1/3–1/2 cup). Chill dough 20–30 minutes if you see spreading. To freeze, flash-freeze scooped dough balls then store in a freezer bag and bake from frozen adding 1–2 minutes.