Recent Posts

Jars of homemade granola and fruit

Homemade Granola

This homemade granola recipe is inspired by my Aunt Melissa. We lived on a commune in Vermont in the 1960s and 70s, where we grew and prepared all our own food. The actual granola recipe was lost when my aunt passed away decades ago, but I know this one is […]

Halloween Marble Cake

Sweet + Spooky Halloween Desserts

Get into the spooky season spirit with these fun Halloween desserts! I love looking back at some of my old recipes. These three Halloween desserts are from the early years of my blog (which is obvious from my photography skills) when my kids were younger and loved fun Halloween-themed treats. […]

Pear Pie with Caramel

Pear Pie with Caramel

This pear pie with caramel is a perfect fall or winter treat! It looks stunning, but you’ll be surprised just how easy it is to put together. Simply make a few components, then assemble and bake. It’s another take on this pear almond tart recipe. I put together this pear […]

Host Zoe Francois’ pumpkin creme brulee, as seen on Zoe Bakes, season 1.

Pumpkin Crème Brûlée

This is the pumpkin creme brulee I make with my son, Henri, on Zoë Bakes on Magnolia Network after visiting Barten Pumpkins. My Substack Extras subscribers can access a Q&A with the owners of Barten Pumpkins here.

Host Zoe Francois' strawberry hand pies, as seen on Zoe Bakes, season 2.

Strawberry Hand Pies

This hand pie recipe is a fun way to make customizable mini pies. This recipe with strawberry makes a perfect breakfast pastry, but these simple treats can be filled with all kinds of sweet or savory flavors. These are also the strawberry hand pies I made on Zoë Bakes on […]

Curry Chicken Hand Pies

Curry Chicken Hand Pies

These are the savory curry chicken hand pies I made on the Hand Pies episode of Zoë Bakes on Magnolia Network! When the Minnesota weather turns cold, I stock my freezer with easy, bake-and-take hand pies. In this episode I make both sweet strawberry and savory curry chicken pies, and […]

Host Zoe Francois' Swedish creme with lingonberry jam, raspberries and krumkake, as seen on Zoe Bakes, season 2.

Swedish Cream

This is the Swedish cream recipe I made in the Nordic Treats episode of Zoë Bakes on Magnolia Network where I pay tribute to my Nordic heritage by preparing Swedish cream and krumkake, a pressed cookie and visiting a ladies’ church group for a lesson in making the traditional Norwegian […]

Host Zoe Francois' sour cherry streusel bars, as seen on Zoe Bakes, season 2.

Sour Cherry Streusel Bars

You can’t attend a gathering in Minnesota without bringing some bars. I made these sour cherry streusel bars on an episode of Zoë Bakes that pays homage to my Nordic heritage. It’s a simple recipe that shows off just a bit of tartness from the sour cherries. The episode also […]

Krumkake stamped cookies on a wire cooling rack

Krumkake

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, […]

Loaves of challah on a cooling rack

Challah

In season 2, episode 8 of Zoë Bakes on Magnolia Network my mom and I meet Morgan Dachis and her lovely family to learn about her business, Morgan’s Broth and Buns. She also taught us a thing or two about making beautiful loaves of challah.

A bowl of Zoë François's mom Lorraine's chicken noodle soup.

Lorraine’s Chicken Noodle Soup

I’m not exaggerating when I say that this is the most requested recipe from my show, Zoë Bakes on Magnolia Network. It’s a savory recipe and it’s not mine. Go figure! In all honesty, I’m thrilled to share this chicken noodle soup recipe with you. This recipe was ubiquitous in […]