eat dessert first
I’ve been intrigued with mirror glaze cakes ever since they started popping up on my instagram feed years ago. There is something so satisfying about the glassy, reflective finish. Aesthetically, it’s not typically my style to create something quite so glitzy and glam, but sometimes ones inner Liberace needs to […]
A Dutch Baby, or as I called it way back in the day (1970s), a “Puffy Pancake,” was my first real baking adventure. It was also one of my very first posts on ZoëBakes in 2007. Going back to that original post will give you a glimpse of what blogging […]
This peach melba recipe is a perfect summer combination and vanilla ice cream and fresh peaches. You’ll find the full recipe for my take on a classic peach melba below, plus a tip for adding raspberry coulis to make a fun peach ice cream treat (cone optional)! There is nothing […]
I went to LA and met someone I have admired for years on instagram, not only for his beautiful photos of delicious food, but also his generosity and quickness to laugh and enjoy himself while he works. Donal and Sofie Skehan are even more delightful, funny and inviting in person […]
These churros with chocolate sauce are a wonderful homemade treat. You can make the recipe as is, or switch up the flavors by making a vanilla sauce or simply dusting the top in a cinnamon-sugar mixture. It’s a wonderful recipe for Cinco de Mayo or in place of (or alongside!) […]
This cherry cake features layers of sponge cake and a simple whipped cream with cherry sauce. It’s best with fresh juicy cherries, but frozen berries work too. I adorned the cake with gorgeous royal icing cherry blossom flowers. How To Decorate Cherry Cake I learned the magic of cake decorating […]
I wait all winter long for the rhubarb to pop up, signaling spring has arrived. Then, way too fast, the precious plants are bolting and done for the season. In a panic I pick all the rhubarb from my dad’s garden to bake it and freeze the stalks for a […]
Looking for video tutorials? Check out my Cake Basics series on YouTube! You’ll learn how to trim and slice, how to fill a layer cake, how to crumb coat and how to decorate! This Silver Ombre Cake was inspired by the arrival of Tessa Huff’s new book, Icing on the […]
This Chocolate Fudge Cake with Strawberry Salsa and Candied Flowers is a rich and chocolatey treat! The strawberry salsa is optional, but is a gorgeous and fun topping. It’s been two decades since I worked in a professional kitchen as a pastry chef. After all these years, I still miss […]
The title of Maida Heatter’s new book sums up why I love my job, Happiness is Baking. When I am sad, I bake! When I am celebrating, I bake! No matter where my mood starts out, I’m always carried to a place of joy as I make my way through […]
The inspiration of a Cherry Semifreddo goes like this: I recently spent time in New York City and had the great fortune of meeting some of the wonderful people I otherwise only knew on social media. It still seems incredible to me that I can befriend people online, while working […]
This little Disco Party of a Chocolate Mug Cake is perfect for a late-night snack, a super-fast and easy dessert for surprise dinner guests, and/or an afterschool treat. No matter the reason you want a little cake, this is a delicious option and requires nothing more than a bowl and […]
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...
