eat dessert first
Baking basics, 101s, how-tos—these recipes and guides will show you in-depth how to achieve beautiful baked goods with my pro tips & tricks.
Order my new cookbook, Zoë Bakes Cookies, now! For those of you who have been visiting with me on Twitter, you already know that my day doesn’t begin until my first, or sometimes second, cup of coffee. It was a happy day for me when my local Costco started carrying […]
Tuile garnish is a very versatile garnish to use on cakes or plated desserts. The only enemy to tuile is humidity, keep them in an airtight container and don’t even try these in the sultry days of late August in MN.
I made this fresh orange scented sponge cake from my The Fannie Farmer Baking Book. It is a classic and really nothing about it needs changing. It is light and the orange gives the cake a fresh flavor that isn’t overly sweet. I combined it with a dacquoise, strawberry whipped […]
I’m finally home from all of my traveling. I’ve never been so happy to be in my kitchen, despite the 94°F forecast and no air conditioner. Something frozen, tart and a little floral is exactly what I need to get through this day. I just went to the market and […]
This gorgeous lavender* (salvia) plant is from Stephen Durfee’s garden in Napa, CA. It inspired my to make a lavender simple syrup on a hot day and drizzle it on a honey cake with blueberries. The following recipe can be made with rosemary, lemon thyme, star anise, cinnamon sticks, organic […]
This rhubarb compote is one of my oldest recipes! It only requires a few simple ingredients to make a tasty treat that can be used on all kinds of desserts. Here in Minneapolis, otherwise known as gardening Zone 4, we jump for joy when we see ramps and rhubarb. Rhubarb […]
Pastry cream is one of the most versatile recipes in a professional pastry kitchen (and your home). It is used for the filling of eclairs, napoleons, fruit tarts, banana cream pie, trifle, and just scooped out of the bowl with a spoon. It is essentially “kick-ass” vanilla pudding, to quote […]
This post is from 2008, the early years of my blogging. I left the old how-to photos as a reminder of where I started in this game. 😉 I have a more recent video in the recipe to show the process of making the sauce. Enjoy! Crème Anglaise is one […]
Order my New York Times Best Selling cookbook, Zoë Bakes Cookies, now! Last week was my aunt Kristin’s birthday, and she had only one request of me: butter shortbread cookies. She is a woman of very discerning tastes and gave me explicit directions on just how she wanted them baked. […]
This week I discovered something that has changed my kitchen forever. I made my own ricotta cheese. It was a suggestion from one of the people at eGullet. We were discussing the recipe for calzone from the book and we were lamenting the state of ricotta cheese that is available […]