eat dessert first
This recipe is simple to make, but it creates a huge impression when served. It is both rustic and elegant, perfect for a picnic in the park or that formal dinner you have twice a year in the otherwise unused dining room. Or is that just me? No matter where, […]
This bright, tart, super-delicious citrus curd is perfect for slathering on Victory (Victoria) Sponge Cake or swirled into Lemon-Curd Pound Cake. It can also be folded into Perfect Whipped Cream and used with any number of other cakes, so mix up a batch and let it inspire you. It’s also […]
You don’t have to have an ice cream machine to make great ice cream at home! This no-churn vanilla ice cream recipe is made in a stand mixer and you can add in any flavor you like. Below I share some ideas. If you get creative and make up one […]
In 1998 I sat next to Rose Levy Beranbaum on a panel of bakers at a Barnes & Noble for a “Celebrity Cook Book Club.” I was freshly out of culinary school and working as a pastry chef at a fine dining restaurant. I was neither a “celebrity” nor a […]
Anyone can make bakery-worthy sourdough bread at home with the right ingredients and a little guidance. This guide to sourdough bread will help you learn the tricks to a perfect loaf. Read on for the recipe, tips and a video tutorial! I make a loaf of this sourdough bread at […]
This sourdough starter recipe is simple and requires only flour, water and a little patience. Once you have it down, you can keep this starter active and make all the sourdough bread you want. Sourdough starter is easier than you think! It can take a few tries, but really all […]
This homemade artisan bread recipe is a go-to in my house; in fact, this loaf is based on the eight books I co-authored and feature on my show, Zoë Bakes. It’s easy for beginners and has the crisp crust and chewy bite of a loaf from your favorite bakery. There are […]
I shouldn’t have favorites, but, really, I’d eat this Cream Cheese Frosting on just about anything, including toast. It’s just the right amount of sweet, without being cloying, so it goes perfectly with super-rich Chocolate Devil’s Food Cake, Ultimate Carrot Cake or Hummingbird Cake. You can even pair it with […]
Tiramisu is a dessert I first tasted in Little Italy in New York City, when I was a kid in the 1970s. At the time, I felt as if I was getting away with something a little scandalous because of the coffee-and-booze-soaked cake; it all seemed so grown-up and sophisticated.
Inspired by my travels to Ireland, this Guinness Chocolate Cake is a perfect recipe for St. Patrick’s Day. Jump to the recipe below, or read on to discover some of my favorite This Guinness Chocolate Stout Cake with White Knight Buttercream based on recipes from Zoë Bakes Cakes, was inspired […]
These Irish Scones are a favorite breakfast treat. A classic scone is a bit sweeter than a biscuit, and while still flaky has a distinct texture all to its self. I make this recipe with a classic kumquat marmalade. I fell madly in love with Ireland and have had the […]
These Coconut Oatmeal Rum Raisin Cookies are a family favorite! These are wonderful soft and chewy oatmeal raisin cookies, and the rum-soaked raisins add depth to the flavor. These are a recipe featured on season 3 episode 9 of Zoë Bakes. I enlist two of my best taste testers, my […]
I'm Zoë François and I love to bake. This is where I play with sugar and take the mystery out of baking everything from cookies to wedding cakes. I studied pastry at the CIA (the culinary school, not the spy agency), worked in restaurants, have written 10 cookbooks and you can find more of my creations in my Substack Newsletter and YouTube videos. More...
