Gluten-free cheddar zucchini bread: Recipe makeover

This month, I recreated our yummy sharp cheddar zucchini bread and turned it into an equally delicious moist and gluten-free loaf. This savoury bread is a perfect winter baking project, and the addition of applesauce makes it so moist -- you'd never guess it was GF!

Gluten-free sharp cheddar zucchini bread

Prep 15 min Total 1 hour 15 min + cooling time

1  medium zucchini 1/3 cup sorghum flour, such as Bob's Red Mill 1/3 cup brown rice flour, such as Bob's Red Mill 1/3 cup white rice flour, such as Bob's Red Mill 1/4 cup cornstarch 1 tsp xanthan gum, such as Bob's Red Mill 1 tbsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup loosely packed brown sugar 2 cups grated cheddar cheese, preferably old 2  eggs 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 1/4 cup water

PREHEAT oven to 350F. Lightly spray a 9×5-in. loaf pan with oil. Using a large holes on a box grater, grate unpeeled zucchini. No need to drain. Zucchini should measure about 1 cup packed. STIR flours with cornstarch, xanthan gum, baking powder, salt and nutmeg in a large bowl. Stir in granulated and brown sugars. Stir in zucchini and 1 1/2 cups cheese until coated with flour. WHISK eggs with oil, applesauce and water in a medium bowl. Pour over flour mixture and stir just until mixed. Batter will be very thick. Scrape into prepared loaf pan. Smooth top as best you can, then sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. BAKE in centre of oven until top is brown, 45 min. Then cover with a piece of foil and continue baking until a cake tester inserted in centre of loaf comes out clean, about 15 more min. Transfer to a rack and let bread stand in pan until cool. Run knife along edges of pan and remove loaf. (The GF version doesn't rise as much as the original recipe, but it will taste just as delicious.)

MAKES 16 SLICES. Per slice 193 calories, 10 g fat, 20 g carbs, 1 g fibre, 6 g protein, 267 mg sodium.

Shopping tip: Gluten-free flours and ingredients can be purchased at Bulk Barn, health food stores or gluten-free aisles in your grocery store.