bars Archives - Page 2 of 3

Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Bars

November 24, 2019August 20, 2023 Zoë François 38 Comments

There seem to be two schools of thought about Thanksgiving desserts. Those who must have pumpkin pie and those who avoid anything pumpkin, other than the spice mix. I am squarely in the pumpkin camp and so is my whole family, but if you or someone you love is not, these Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Bars are the perfect way to ease into using the Thanksgiving essential and give a loving gesture to those who adore pumpkin.

The base of these bars comes from Michelle Lopez’s new book Weeknight Baking, which is made up of great recipes that are quick and easy enough to fit into everyone’s busy schedule, even at the holidays. I added the swirl of pumpkin, which is also super easy and fast, but makes them just right for this week. Michelle has lots of great ideas for jazzing up the cheesecake bars and once you see my technique for swirling, you can add your own flair. You can easily make these in time for the big Turkey Day and I suggest making a double batch, so you have leftovers to snack on and stick into school lunches.

Watch me make these cheesecake bars on my Instagram.

No-Bake Chocolate Pepita Crunch Bars

October 19, 2018January 6, 2022 Zoë François 2 Comments

These No-bake Chocolate Pepita Crunch Bars are a candy and a brownie all in one. There is no baking, so they’re perfect in the summer or a great holiday treat to go along with all the cookies you’ll be trading at your cookie swaps.

Outrageous Brownies

August 1, 2018July 5, 2022 Zoë François 36 Comments

30 years ago my dear friend, Sally, gave me a copy of Lee Bailey’s Country Desserts. At the moment neither of us realized how significant that gift would be in my life. It was way before Instagram and the endless blogs filled with impossibly gorgeous recipes. Who am I kidding, it was before the internet. I had that one cookbook and a shitty student apartment kitchen to bake in. I made almost every recipe in the book and as a result learned how to make everything from cookies, cakes, pudding and even candy, but these outrageous brownies were the best thing in the whole book. I would splurge on really good chocolate, which meant something beyond Hershey’s. God only knows what brand it was back then, but I remember spending my entire food budget on chocolate, nuts and butter just to make them. I must have survived on rice cakes and peanut butter for the rest of the week.

Chocolate Mousse Bars with Feuilletine Crunch

October 15, 2017March 27, 2022 Zoë François 14 Comments

I made these chocolate mousse bars for an Oscars party. They are simple to make (no baking required), but fancy enough to eat while watching the red carpet glitter or for any other occasion.

Super Bowl Bars

January 31, 2014July 10, 2022 Zoë François 33 Comments

I love watching the Super Bowl. I don’t want you to get the false impression that I follow any team in particular, or even the sport as a whole. As is the case with most occasions like this, I’m totally in it for the food. These Super Bowl Bars are the perfect addition to a game day spread.

Chocolate Brownies with Mint Ice Cream

May 25, 2010July 19, 2022 Zoë François 280 Comments

Chocolate brownie topped with blackberries | ZoëBakes | Photo by Zoë François

These brownies have secrets! I baked them, passed them out to my family, my neighbors and my friends to see what they thought. I didn’t say anything, just asked for their honest opinions and this is what I got… “they are so RICH,” “beyond decadent,” “Amazing,” “Great, can I have another one?” (he is 9) and on and on. Not a bad review in the bunch. No one guessed that they were gluten free and from a King Arthur Flour mix.