We have hot breakfasts most days around here.  It just kind of works into our schedule so we keep doing it.  But I’ll let you in on a little secret:  I’m sick to death of making eggs and pancakes and waffles every morning!  It’s killing me.  I needed to branch out a little bit and get a little more creative.So when I came across this recipe in a Rachael Ray magazine sitting around, I figured I’d give it a try paired with a smoothie the next morning and see how it went over.  My kids aren’t zucchini lovers and I never had zucchini baked goods growing up so I never really think about this stuff, but I’ll tell you what, these kids of mine thought these were the best things since sliced bread (after a little bit of nose-turning-up when they saw all that green in them).So I figured I’d share.  Here you go:

1 1/2 sticks butter (softened)  (3/4 c.)
1 1/2 c. sugar
Whip these together until light and fluffy:

Beat in:

2 eggs
1 tbsp. vanilla (yes a whole tablespoon which is so great by me…the more the merrier as far as vanilla is concerned:)

In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients:

1 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 c. whole-wheat flour
1 tbsp. ground flaxseed
1 tbsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground nutmeg

Then mix into butter mixture.

It will be pretty dry:

…until you mix in 3 cups grated zucchini:

The recipe gives you the option of adding 1 cup of golden raisins if you want, but I didn’t mess with that.  I couldn’t resist mixing in a few chocolate chips into some of the batter though…

Hey, I wanted baked zucchini goods to go over smoothly for this first run.  Ha!

Bake at 350 for 20- 25 minutes.

Be really careful not to over-bake them like I did or they will be crumbly.  But your family will still probably scarf them down speedy quick like mine did.

Next time I will substitute half of the butter with applesauce like I do in most baked goods like these.  I bet that will make them more moist…and more healthy too.

Happy baking!

And please send any other breakfast variety recipes my way if you have any grand ideas.