Lemon and Yellow Squash Quick Bread

By
Barbara Rolek
Barbara Rolek
Barbara Rolek is a former chef who became a cooking school instructor and award-winning food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 07/8/21
Lemon and Yellow Squash Quick Bread

ASIFE / Getty Images

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 60 mins
Total: 80 mins
Servings: 18 servings

Nowadays, yellow summer squash is available year-round, but for those who grow their own, bookmark this easy recipe for times when the garden is overflowing with this versatile vegetable. Adapted from a recipe by Heather Christo, our easy quick bread gets its bright flavor from the lemon in the batter and the glaze, and it's not greasy as some quick bread can be because butter is used instead of oil.

This is a perfect edible gift and a beautiful treat for breakfast, tea time, or coffee break. Wrap it in parchment paper and place in a cake tin or container with lid for a whole week of moist deliciousness.

Ingredients

Quick Bread Batter:

  • Cooking spray

  • 2 1/2 cups shredded yellow summer squash

  • 2 1/4 cups sugar

  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest

  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

  • 8 ounces (1 cup) unsalted butter, melted

  • 3 large eggs, room temperature

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

Lemon Glaze:

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons milk

  • 1 teaspoon light corn syrup

  • 1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar

  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Steps to Make It

Make the Quick Bread

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Heat oven to 350 F and thoroughly coat two 8 x 4-inch loaf pans with cooking spray.

  3. Place the yellow squash in a colander over a sink to drain any liquid.

  4. In a medium bowl, mix together the sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and melted butter until well combined.

  5. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until the batter is light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.

  6. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.

  7. Add these dry ingredients to the batter and mix only until it's well combined.

  8. Add the drained squash to the quick bread batter, mixing thoroughly until well combined.

  9. Divide batter between the prepared pans.

  10. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean (begin checking at 45 minutes). While quick bread is baking, make the lemon glaze.

Make the Lemon Glaze

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a small saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of milk and the corn syrup until the mixture is almost simmering.

  3. Whisk in confectioners' sugar and lemon juice until smooth. If it seems too thick, add 1 teaspoon of milk at a time until it looks more fluid but still thick. Set aside until needed.

  4. When quick bread has finished baking, remove from oven and place on a wire rack. Do not unmold yet.

  5. Immediately brush on the lemon glaze and let the loaves cool for 10 minutes.

  6. Run a knife around the edges of the quick bread and carefully remove from the pan. Let cool completely on top of the wire rack before serving.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
312 Calories
11g Fat
50g Carbs
4g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 18
Amount per serving
Calories 312
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g 15%
Saturated Fat 7g 34%
Cholesterol 58mg 19%
Sodium 310mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 50g 18%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 34g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 2mg 11%
Calcium 36mg 3%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 93mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)