eat dessert first
Charlotte Royale is a gorgeous and regal dessert. The surprisingly simple recipe features a domed sponge cake with a filling. The classic version features Bavarian creme, but I added a strawberry coulis for extra flair! The truth is, the last time I made a Strawberry Charlotte Royale was in culinary […]
These peach scones with caramelized white chocolate are a perfect brunch recipe. I cut these into wedges, but you can also go with a biscuit cutter. Use fresh, juicy peaches for the best result! I rarely bake scones, since my son was deemed the scone expert in the family. But, […]
I love this crème brûlée with lavender, but it’s optional! If you’d rather, you can leave it out and it will be a delicious vanilla crème brûlée. Enjoy! Crème Brûlée was the first French dessert I’d ever had in a restaurant. When I was in junior high school, I’d take […]
There are few summer treats better than a late season peach pie made from fresh fruit. I call this my perfect peach pie and you can find out why below! Plus, you’ll find a little bonus in the form of an optional candied bacon crumble! When the peach season is […]
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! An Easter Basket made from Red Velvet Cake with Buttercream Basket Weave and Roses is a decidedly […]
This ethereal tutu of meringue, filled with cream and berries is a Pavlova. It’s one of my favorite, and most popular recipes. Over the years I’ve perfected it and made different shapes and styles, but my favorite is this one inspired by the namesake ballerina! Her name was Anna Pavlova. […]
Tuscan Ricotta Tart with Peaches. I’ve met so many incredibly talented and lovely people through Instagram. That’s where I first found Giulia Scarpaleggia (and her website Jul’s Kitchen), who lives and cooks in Tuscany. Her food is gorgeous and when she told me she had a cookbook coming out, I […]
A family friend is Greek and sent me honey from Ikaria. It is a little smoky and tastes of caramel. Bees never cease to amaze me in what they create. I wanted to bake it into a cake and decided to go with other flavors you might find on that […]
This is my homemade version of a 1960s dessert. The original strawberry cheesecake recipe could have been found on Strawberry Jell-O package or Cool Whip containers. This is a homemade version that is just five simple ingredients and requires no baking. I thought the packaged version was brilliant, despite the fact […]
In a quest to create the perfect mango cheesecake, I discovered mango puree from the Indian market. I’ve tried making my own with fresh mangos, but the flavor was much too subtle and disappeared in most recipes. I even tried cooking it, to reduce the fruit, which usually works to […]
I find myself digging into the past recently and finding recipes. My grandmother’s rugelach, cheese blintzes from the Kiev restaurant (a childhood favorite) and fresh homemade yogurt my mom used to make. We lived on a commune in VT, where we grew our own vegetables and raised a cow for dairy. […]
This strawberry rhubarb pie combines two of the best early summer flavors into one classic pie. The lattice crust is easier than it looks and makes for a beautiful summer dessert! It is rhubarb season and I am doing my very best to use it in as many desserts as I […]
I'm Zoë François, Emmy-nominated host of Zoë Bakes on HBO and a New York Times best-selling author sharing bakery-quality recipes that are doable for everyone! More...
