Recent Posts

Almond apple crisp in a large pot

Almond Apple Crisp

This Awesome Almond Apple Crisp is the easy, last minute, under appreciated dessert cousin to the Apple Pie. It is every bit as delicious and, I think, beautiful, in a rustic way, albeit not as refined looking. It can be in the oven in less than 30 minutes and emerges […]

Chocolate Pumpkin Swirl Bundt Cake

Pumpkin Bundt Cake Swirled With Chocoalte

What’s better cake for the fall season than one made of chocolate and pumpkin? I’ve made this chocolate pumpkin swirl cake as both a bundt and a loaf. Both are easy options, and you’ll find a fun pumpkin themed loaf pan below! I first made this Chocolate Pumpkin Bundt Cake […]

Triple-Layer Parsnip Cranberry Cake

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! For those of you who have followed my blog for a while, you’ll know I am a […]

Chocolate Hazelnut Cake | ZoeBakes by Zoë François

Flourless Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

This flourless chocolate cake is made with crushed hazelnuts for a layer of nutty flavor. If you’re feeling fancy, I recommend adding the optional candied hazelnuts as a garnish. I’ve known my husband and his family for 30+ years and in all those decades there is a story about a […]

Buttermilk Pumpkin Pie with Streusel

Buttermilk Pumpkin Streusel Pie

I discovered Sister Pie by Lisa Ludwinski and this Buttermilk Pumpkin Streusel Pie, on Instagram, where I find so much great inspiration. One of the first things I discovered about Lisa and her bakers is that they dance in the kitchen. These are my people! This pie cemented my admiration. […]

Chocolate Pepita Crunch Bars

No-Bake Chocolate Pepita Crunch Bars

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.

Honeycomb Banana Layer Cake

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 Honeycomb Banana Layer Cake is inspired by Cadbury Crunchie Bar candy my husband ate as a […]

Japanese Cotton Cheesecake | ZoëBakes | Photo by Zoë François

Japanese Cotton Soft Cheesecake

Don’t be fooled by the picture, this is a cheesecake, not a sponge cake. I have seen Japanese Cotton Soft Cheesecake all over the internet for years, but hadn’t come around to trying it until now. My fellow instagram baker, Silvia Colloca, just sent me her latest cookbook, Love Laugh […]

Tamarind Cake

Date and Tamarind Loaf

When I flipped through Nik Sharma’s new cookbook, Season, the Date and Tamarind Loaf struck me with an air of comfortable familiarity. I’d never had this particular dessert before, but the exotic ingredients are some that I adore. I was introduced to tamarind from my husband, whose family is from […]

Peanut Butter Meringues | ZoëBakes | Photo by Zoë François

Peanut Butter Cup Meringue Cookies

If you love cookies like I do, order my cookbook Zoë Bakes Cookies! Sometimes you come upon greatness from the oddest paths. When I opened Rebecca Firth’s The Cookie Book, I landed on this Peanut Butter Cup Meringue Cookies recipe, not because of the gorgeous photo (or my absolute love […]

Blackberry Opera Torte | ZoeBakes photos by Zoe Francois

Blackberry Opera Torte (Diva Cake)

I set out to bake a traditional Opera Torte, but I ended up getting distracted and took off in an entirely different flavor direction. In the end I created this Blackberry Opera Torte (which I have named the Diva Cake) and I’m not sure I’ll ever go back.

Apple pie with lattice that has been stenciled with an embossed rolling pin.

The Perfect Apple Pie

The apple pie is practically a national treasure and for good reason, it is just about the perfect dessert. This time of year there are dozens of apples to choose from and I suggest you pick a variety for this pie. Having a mix of apples makes for a great […]