You Need To Experience This Chocolatey Zucchini Bread Recipe

Zucchini Bread Recipe with walnuts and chocolateZucchini Bread Recipe with walnuts and chocolate

The thought of healthy dessert may leave you feeling a *tad* skeptical, but this zucchini bread recipe promises more than just a health-forward treat. It's spotted with chunks of chopped walnuts and chocolate chips, forming a bite that beats banana bread every time, but still gently delivers on nutrition. The zucchini flavor is untraceable in each slice of this bread loaf, leaving you with sweet, sweet sweetness – which is likely exactly what you're craving!

This Spelt Zucchini Bread recipe with warm spices, walnuts, and chocolate, made by The First Mess, will have your taste buds dancing with sheer joy. Get ready to savor each and every delectable bite as we guide you through this simple and mouthwatering recipe.

Ingredients for Spelt Zucchini Bread with Warm Spices, Walnuts & Chocolate

The First Mess

  • 1 ¼ cups shredded zucchini
  • 1 ½ cups light spelt flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¾ cup coconut palm sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened apple sauce
  • ⅓ cup neutral-tasting oil
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ cup walnut halves, chopped
  • ½ cup dairy-free chocolate chunks or chips

How to Make This Zucchini Bread Recipe

The First Mess

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 8×4 loaf pan and then line it with parchment paper. Lightly grease the parchment as well and set aside.
  2. Gather the shredded zucchini in a clean kitchen towel. Over the sink, gather up the edges of the towel and squeeze out as much moisture from the zucchini as you can. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the spelt flour, baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the coconut palm sugar, apple sauce, oil, and vanilla extract. Add this wet mixture to the larger bowl with the flour mixture. Using a rubber spatula, mix until just combined with a few little streaks of flour.
  5. Add the shredded and wrung out zucchini to the batter along with the walnuts and chocolate chunks. Fold these items in until they are evenly distributed.
  6. Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and flatten the top of the loaf. Bang the filled loaf tin on the counter a few times to fully settle the batter.
  7. Bake the vegan spelt zucchini bread for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick / paring knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the zucchini bread from the oven and let it cool in the loaf pan on a wire rack.
  8. Let the zucchini bread cool completely before removing from the pan and slicing.

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Recipe + photography by The First Mess.

This post has been updated.

Sometimes a sweet treat just hits differently in warmer weather, and Trader Joe’s (in true Trader Joe’s fashion) just dropped thedessert of the spring and summer. I hear you, I hear you… it’s a tad bit early to start thinking about scorching, sunny days, but trust me: this new $5 dessert will have you yearning for summer the second you see it.

Scroll on to discover the newly-dropped Trader Joe’s find shoppers are calling delicious, yummy, and amazing!

@trader_joes_treasure_hunt

The summery dessert in question is the all-new Blood Orange Mochi Ice Cream, and it’s so dreamy. Featuring dollops of blood orange-flavored ice cream cased in sweet mochi dough, it’s the kind of sweet treat you can easily eat with your hands… and keep eating over and over and over again.

Any Lane / PEXELS

The mochi ice cream is also crafted without any artificial colors or flavors, so you really get the full effect of the rich citrus. Blood oranges are also typically sweeter than regular oranges, making them perfect for putting into desserts.

@traderjoesobsessed

TJ’s fan account @traderjoesobsessed shared the new Blood Orange Mochi Ice Cream with their followers, saying the treat is “tart and creamy” and also “not too sweet.” One commenter that got a taste noted that each ice cream piece is like “a creamsicle's more worldly cousin.” Another person compared the flavor to a Flintstone's Push-Up popsicle.

Well-rounded and nostalgic? Now I have to try this!

Nadin Sh / PEXELS

The Trader Joe’s Blood Orange Mochi Ice Cream can be found on shelves for $4.99. Each box comes with 6 mochi ice cream bites, and what’s even more exciting is the nutrition label says a single serving size is 6 pieces – AKA the entire box. Woah!

Additionally, this sweet snack is kosher and gluten-free.

I’m definitely going to be grabbing several boxes to try – and hopefully manifest an early start to springtime!

What are your favorite Trader Joe's desserts? Let us know in the comments and subscribe to our newsletter to discover even more new Trader Joe's items!

Summer rom-coms are so back! A24 confirmed on March 4 that Celine Song's Materialists, starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, is coming to theaters this June and I cannot contain my excitement. The new movie follows a matchmaker (Dakota) who finds herself torn between two romantic prospects. If that's too dramatic for you, girl, I'd be happy to take your place.

Here's the latest update on Materialists starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal.

Is Materialists out yet?

Materialists will premiere in theaters June 13, 2025. After Past Lives became THE summer movie in 2023 (and absolutely wrecked my roommates), I know Materialists is going to be the perfect June watch.

What is the plot of Materialists?

The movie follows Dakota Johnson's character, a matchmaker in New York City who falls for the perfect man, but can't seem to let go of her ex. Given the fact the first poster for the movie includes "save the date" and looks like a wedding cake, I'm wondering if we'll see all three characters cross paths at a wedding...

What has the cast said about the movie?

When I asked Dakota Johnson about working with Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, she teased how much she enjoyed working with them. "They're both big idiots and I love them," she told Brit + Co exclusively at her Daddio premiere.

Where was Materialists filmed?

Materialists was filmed around New York City, which means the movie's going to have so much life and energy in every single shot. Plus Dakota's sundresses are totally giving Brooklyn gal — and I'm dreaming of prancing around the city in a dress as soon as the weather warms up!

Are you as excited for Materialists as I am? Let us know your favorite rom-coms in the comments and check out the latest news on Madelyn Cline's new romance movie for more!

Gluten-free eaters, listen up: Trader Joe’s just dropped a GF version of one of their most popular desserts, the sheet cake! Known to be quick, easy, and cheap desserts to bring to parties or just take home to treat yourself, the chain’s vanilla and dark chocolate sheet cakes have stolen the hearts of many TJ’s shoppers – myself included!

But this brand-new sheet cake isn’t just any sheet cake. It packs a punch with a totally nostalgic flavor combo I’m positive gluten-free and non-gluten-free eaters alike will love.

Scroll on to discover Trader Joe’s new gluten-free dessert that you can bag for just $6!

Trader Joe's

Enter the Yellow Mini Sheet Cake, a buttermilk-based cake with “plenty” of vanilla in its batter that’s made with GF-friendly rice flour, potato starch, cornstarch, and tapioca starch. The cake itself boasts a distinct yellow color that really reminds me of a Betty Crocker classic.

Of course, Trader Joe’s worked hard with their baker to make sure the texture of this gluten-free cake is perfect – sometimes a big feat for a GF treat. According to the grocer, it is “moist and flavorful with a tender crumb.” Yum!

Trader Joe's

The yum doesn’t stop there. The yellow cake base is, of course, topped with a super thick layer of chocolate buttercream icing that really gets the tastebuds going and the nostalgia kicking.

Trader Joe's

Trader Joe’s fan account @trader_joes_treasure_hunt shared the new item with their Instagram followers, and tons of people sounded off with excitement.

“Omg yes!!” one person wrote. “Yellow cake and chocolate frosting is my favorite combo 😍”

“Finally a cake for us gluten free peeps!❤️” another said.

“Running there to get it!” one more person announced.

Reddit

This Reddit thread detailing the Yellow Mini Sheet Cake‘s release also gained a lot of online traction because of how good it is.

“Omg finally a gluten free sheet cake,” one Redditor wrote. “I’ve always been sad that I could never try the much talked about Trader Joe’s sheet cakes, can’t wait to try this.”

“I am not gf but I have purchased many of tj’s gf desserts and most of them are so good that I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference if I didn’t read the packaging,” another person noted.

“I'm not going to buy that, because I'll eat it all in a single day,” someone else said. “Sometimes the only way to win is to not play.”

“I bought this the other day because it’s my favorite cake combo and it’s delicious!!” one more Redditor confirmed.

I can’t wait to try the new Yellow Mini Sheet Cake the next time I’m craving something sweet. Sign up for our newsletter to discover more of the latest and greatest Trader Joe’s drops!

In the midst of award show season, everything points to Oscar Sunday. The show, which celebrates achievement in film, is my most-important night of the year and my friends and I go all out. Themed snacks, ballots, and very loud celebrations when our favorite stars and movies win. If you're still celebrating all the winners, keep reading to see where you can stream all the 2025 Best Picture nominees — and the other biggest movies of the year!

Here's where you can stream all the 2025 Oscar Best Picture nominees.

Anora — Stream on Hulu March 17, 2025

Neon

When sex worker Anora and politician's son Vanya tie the knot so Vanya can get a green card and escape his father, their lives totally flip upside down — and not just because Vanya's family sets out to end the marriage.

Anora stars Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov, Karren Karagulian, Vache Tovmasyan, and Aleksei Serebryakov.

Wicked — Stream on Peacock on March 21, 2025

Universal Pictures

But this year's biggest musical is definitely Wicked. This alternative origin story for the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good follows the college roommates as they come of age in Oz, and learn the Wizard isn't all as he seems. I can't for Part 2 this year!

Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, and Marissa Bode.

Nickel Boys — Stream On MGM+

Amazon MGM Studios

Nickel Boys tells the story of Elwood and Turner, two African American young men surviving reform school in 1962 Jim Crow-era Florida.

Nickel Boys stars Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater, Fred Hechinger, Daveed Diggs, Jimmie Fails, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.

A Complete Unknown — Rent on Amazon Prime

Searchlight Pictures

The Best Picture nominee follows Bob Dylan as he gains recognition in the folk music world — then surprises everyone when he moves toward rock. See our interview with Oscar nominee Monica Barbaro!

A Complete Unknown stars Timothée Chalamet, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Edward Norton, Boyd Holbrook, Dan Fogler, Norbert Leo Butz, Eriko Hatsune, Big Bill Morganfield, Will Harrison, and Scoot McNairy.

I'm Still Here — Stream on Apple TV+

StudioCanal/Sony Pictures Releasing

Eunice Paiva must keep her family together & fight for what's right when her husband disappears under the 1970 military dictatorship in Brazil.

I'm Still Here stars Fernanda Torres, Selton Mello, and Fernanda Montenegro.

Dune: Part Two — Stream On Max

Niko Tavernise/Warner Bros. Pictures

This sequel opens after Paul has joined the Fremen, and after he escaped the murderous Harkonnen family. Now he's out to avenge his father — and come to terms with his destiny as a savior.

Dune: Part Two stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgård, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Charlotte Rampling, Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Lea Seydoux, and Christopher Walken.

Emilia Pérez — Stream On Netflix

Netflix

In this musical thriller, Cartel leader Emilia enlists the help of Rita, a lawyer, to help her retire from a life of crime and live out her truth.

Emilia Pérez stars Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, and Edgar Ramírez.

The Substance — Stream On MUBI

MUBI

Elisabeth Sparkle gets fired from her own fitness TV show after she turns 50. But she seems to find a solution when she acquires The Substance...and creates a younger version of herself. The absolutely crazy thriller was one of the buzziest movies of the year — and won Demi Moore her first Golden Globe!

The Substance stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid.

Conclave — Stream On Peacock

Focus Features

This movie takes place during a conclave to choose the next pope, and is totally unprepared for the scandals he uncovers along the way.

Conclave stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, and Isabella Rossellini.

The Brutalist — Rent on Amazon Prime

A24

In the 4-hour The Brutalist, Adrien Brody's László Tóth is a Hungarian-Jewish Holocaust survivor who moves to America and works to achieve the American Dream.

The Brutalist stars Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn, Raffey Cassidy, Stacy Martin, Emma Laird, Isaach de Bankolé, and Alessandro Nivola.

A Real Pain — Stream on Hulu

Searchlight Pictures

Two Jewish American cousins reconnect and embark on a Holocaust tour in Poland after the death of their grandmother. This was one of my favorite movies of the year and I couldn't recommend it more!

A Real Pain stars Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, Will Sharpe, Jennifer Grey, Kurt Egyiawan, Liza Sadovy, and Daniel Oreskes.

The Wild Robot — Stream on Peacock

Universal Pictures

Robot Roz crashes on a deserted island and quickly adopts an orphaned gosling, teaching him to fly and prepping him for the annual migration. Prepare to cry, like, a lot!! Check out our interview with Lupita Nyong'o to see what movie makes her cry.

The Wild Robot stars Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Catherine O'Hara, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, and Mark Hamill.

Alien: Romulus — Stream On Hulu

20th Century Studios

A group of young space colonizers are tasked with exploring an abandoned space station and must confront the most terrifying life form in the universe.

Alien: Romulus stars Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu.

Twisters — Stream on Peacock

Universal Pictures

Twisters follows former storm chaser Kate. When she's roped back into chasing by her friend Javi, Kate meets social media star Tyler, and comes face-to-face with the biggest storms ever.

Twisters stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Brandon Perea, Anthony Ramos, Maura Tierney, Sasha Lane, Harry Hadden-Paton, David Corenswet, Daryl McCormack, Tunde Adebimpe, Katy O’Brian, Nik Dodani, Kiernan Shipka, and Paul Scheer.

Challengers — Stream On Prime Video

Amazon MGM Studios

In Challengers, former tennis star Tashi coaches her husband Art, but her job gets way more complicated when he ends up in a match against his former best friend (and her ex) Patrick.

Challengers stars Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor.

Inside Out 2 — Stream On Disney+

Walt Disney Studios

Riley's becoming a teenager in Inside Out 2, which means Joy, Sadness, Anger, Envy, Fear, and Disgust have to make way for new emotions like Anxiety and Envy. What could go wrong?

Inside Out 2 stars Liza Lapira, Tony Hale, Ayo Edebiri, Maya Hawke, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Paul Walter Hauser, Amy Poehler, Lewis Black, Phyllis Smith, Kensington Tallman, Lilimar, Diane Lane, and Kyle MacLachlan.

Deadpool & Wolverine — Stream On Disney+

Marvel Studios

Deadpool teams up with the one and only Wolverine (well, after meeting dozens throughout the multiverse) after learning the TVA plans on destroying his timeline and his loved ones.

Deadpool & Wolverine stars Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Stefan Kapičić, Brianna Hildebrand, Shioli Kutsuna, Owen Wilson, Matthew Macfadyen, Emma Corrin, Jennifer Garner, Chris Evans, Wesley Snipes, Channing Tatum, Blake Lively, and Dafne Keen.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice  — Stream On Max

Warner Bros. Pictures

Lydia Deetz and her daughter Astrid return to Winter River after a family tragedy, and wind up enlisting Beetlejuice's help (if you can even call it that) after Astrid opens a portal to the afterlife.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice stars Jenna Ortega, Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Willem Dafoe, and Justin Theroux.

Gladiator 2 — Stream on Paramount+

Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures

After the death of his wife, Lucius becomes a gladiator with a mission: take revenge on the general responsible for her death.

Gladiator 2 stars Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen, Fred Hechinger, Joseph Quinn, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington.

Diamonds Are Forever — Rent on Amazon Prime

United Artists

Okay, this James Bond movie wasn't technically nominated at the Oscars, but after Margaret Qualley, Raye, Doja Cat, and Lisa's amazing tribute I had to include it! In the movie, 007 breaks into a diamond-smuggling ring in Las Vegas — and comes face-to-face with a beautiful stranger who could turn out to be a double agent.

Diamonds Are Forever stars Sean Connery, Jill St. John, Charles Gray, Lana Wood, Jimmy Dean, and Bruce Cabot.

Check out Emma Stone & Margaret Qualley's Adorable BFF Oscars Moment and check out 25 New TV Shows You NEED To Watch In 2025!

This post has been updated.

Starbucks just dropped 15 new cup designs in celebration of spring, and of course, they’re too cute to pass up! Featuring cold cups, tumblers, water bottles and more in only the best springtime colors, you’ll definitely want to snag a few pieces from their spring drinkware collection to enjoy your favorite sips from the all-new Starbucks spring menu!

Plus, the latest drinkware drop includes adorable designs that honor cherry blossom season and even look forward to Mother’s Day.

Scroll on to see the new Starbucks spring cups, including sizes and prices.

Starbucks Spring 2025 Cups

Starbucks

Spring Pixel Tumbler

This pixelated 16-ounce tumbler is ideal for hot drinks, even in the midst of a warm spring. Snag it at a participating Starbucks cafe in the U.S. for $22.95.

Starbucks

Yellow Pleated Tumbler

This tumbler is sure to brighten up your morning sip! It holds 16 ounces of your desired drink and costs $27.95.

Starbucks

Pastel Swirl Cold Cup & Keychain

Springtime is all about pastels, after all! You can grab this 24-ounce design from Starbucks for $22.95 – or $12.95 for the adorable keychain!

Starbucks

Sunset Pleated Cold Cup & Keychain

You can also find this similar design with richer spring colors. The 24-ounce cold cup is $22.95, while the keychain goes for $12.95.

Starbucks

Blue Bottle Bag

This is perhaps the cutest item from Starbucks' spring cup collection. This $27.95 bottle bag allows you to tow along your go-to bottle or tumbler hands-free. Plus, it comes complete with a zippable pocket for your phone, credit cards, or lip balms – or all three!

Starbucks

Geometric Airbrush Cold Cup

This "whimsical" cold cup design boasts both geometric and organic shapes, all in a dreamy pink palette. It carries 24 ounces of liquid and costs $27.95.

Starbucks

Plum Water Bottle

This adorable water bottle ensures you stay hydrated this season. It holds 20 ounces, and you can snag it for $32.95 at participating U.S. Starbucks locations.

Starbucks Cherry Blossom Cups For 2025

Starbucks

Cherry Blossom Cold Cup with Straw Charm

Oh, yeah. This cherry blossom cup is everything! Crafted with illustrations of cherry blossoms, iridescence, and a fun straw topper, you'll definitely want to drink the all-new Iced Cherry Chai from this baby.

Starbucks

Pink Cherry Blossom Tumbler with Charm

The stunning hanging butterfly charm is enough reason to snag this spring-themed tumbler, perfect for all hot coffees and teas.

Starbucks

Pink Floral Cold Cup

If iced coffee is where your heart lies, opt for this pink and blue cold cup!

Starbucks

Reflective Cherry Blossom Tumbler

From the flowers and butterflies to the rainbow-esque reflective design, this tumbler is a whole work of art in itself.

Starbucks

Pink Soft Touch Cold Cup

Made with a satisfying 'soft touch' texture, this cold cup can easily serve up iced coffees, cold brews, and Frappuccinos.

Starbucks Mother's Day 2025 Cups

Starbucks

Starbucks' Mother's Day cups will be available at any Starbucks licensed store in the U.S., including ones inside grocery stores, airports, hospitals and more! This 4-cup collection is loaded with plenty of bright colors and floral designs to honor the loved ones in your life.

Subscribe to our newsletter for more Starbucks news!