Half-and-Half with Butter (Best Option)
3/4 cup half-and-half + 1/4 cup melted butter per 1 cup heavy creamHalf-and-half has about 10-12% fat, which is lower than heavy cream's 36-40%. Adding melted butter increases the fat content to approximate heavy cream, preserving the moisture and richness needed in zucchini bread. The fat helps tenderize the crumb and carry flavors.
To ensure even incorporation, melt the butter and mix thoroughly with the half-and-half before adding to the batter. Avoid adding cold butter chunks to prevent uneven texture.
This substitute yields a moist, tender bread very close to the original, with no significant flavor changes, making it the most reliable heavy cream alternative in zucchini bread.