These Coconut Oatmeal Rum Raisin Cookies are a family favorite and a no-brainer for my upcoming book Zoë Bakes Cookies (coming out in 2024)! In season 3 episode 9 of Zoë Bakes I enlist two of my best taste testers, my sons Henri and Charlie, to taste test some recipes for the book.
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My next cookbook, Zoë Bakes Cookies, will feature about 100 recipes and I test my recipes over and over until they’re perfect. Enlisting my sons, Henri and Charlie, to be taste testers and incorporating their feedback makes my books even better. In season 3 episode 9 of Zoë Bakes on Magnolia Network Henri and Charlie join me in the kitchen to test a few of my cookie recipes and variations. You must tune in to see how it goes! In this episode I also visit a beautiful hazelnut farm and gather local nuts to try in my recipe. To learn more about Minnesota hazelnuts, visit the Organic Compound.
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This post is originally from 2011 and it is hilarious for me to read it, since my boys are now 17 and 19 years old and no longer have little fingers, because they’re 6 feet tall. The only thing that remains the same 7 years later; they still love these Blueberry Bars!
2011: Yesterday was the official end of summer in my house. Back to school for both boys, and I spent the day wishing they were home again. “Seriously?” You may ask. I spent the past several weeks anticipating the beginning of school with a certain glee, which may have bordered on unhealthy. I couldn’t wait to have peace and quiet in my house, for hours at a time. I looked forward to doing my work without interruption, sans little fingers dipping into the bowl. But, when it came to the actual day, I missed them and couldn’t wait for them to get off the bus.* Instead of pathetically staring out the window waiting, I decided to bake them some Blueberry Bars. Every MN kid loves bars.
For those of you from the coasts, I am referring to a layered dessert baked in a pan resembling a brownie/cookie/pie, but can be made with fruit, caramel, chocolate or anything else your pantry contains. Then they are cut into neat bars. I was first introduced to this concept when I moved to Minneapolis in 1993. Bars are generally served on a buffet table with lots of crock pots filled with “hot dish.” Every family has their own recipe, usually a tightly held secret, mostly kept from the neighbors.
To watch me make these bars and for tips on easy lattice and stable fillings, watch my instagram video. Recipe below.
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A good, healthy morning breakfast can make all the difference in your day, but sometimes you’re rushing out the door and you need something quick to grab. For me and my family, these Breakfast Cookies are the answer, because what’s more portable than a cookie?
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These krumkake are the pressed cookies I made on the Nordic Treats episode of Zoë Bakes on Magnolia Network! In this episode I pay tribute to my Nordic heritage by preparing Swedish cream and krumkake, and visiting a ladies’ church group for a lesson in making the traditional Norwegian flatbread, lefse. I also make sour cherry streusel bars, because if you go to a gathering in Minnesota, you must bring something to share! For those asking, here is a link to the krumkake iron we used in the show!
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Happy Birthday! If you’re reading this you’re on the hunt for birthday desserts, which means it’s somebody’s birthday. I love choosing birthday treats because you can make anything that the birthday celebrant loves. Sure, you’ll find a bunch of cake recipes below, since it’s the faithful symbol of birthdays, but you don’t have to stick to cakes. You’ll also find some bars and brownies on my list, which are great for parties and offer fun ways to play with flavors. If you are looking for cakes, check out my book, Zoë Bakes Cakes for a comprehensive guide, or find a few of my favorite cake recipes below.
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