eat dessert first
The unofficial end of summer is here, so why not ease into the start of fall? The weather is still warm, and you hopefully still have some fresh fruit on hand to make some of these Labor Day Desserts for one last summer blowout. More Late Summer Favorites
This recipe features three components—coconut cake, pastry cream and milk chocolate mascarpone frosting—from Zoë Bakes Cakes assembled together in a magical new way. That’s the fun of having a repertoire of recipes that you can mix and match, there are endless ways to create deliciousness. The tender, rich coconut cake […]
Whether you’re looking for breakfast ideas before the kids head off to the bus stop, back to school treats to pack in their lunch boxes, after school snacks for kids, or a treat to wrap in a care package for your college student, I’ve got ideas for every palate (yes, […]
Sweet, season and distinct—peaches make me think of summer. These 17 peach desserts are sure to please! Peaches are such a beautiful, unique fruit. You never mistake peach flavor for something else, as there is just something about the juicy sweetness that is so obviously a peach. It’s fitting that […]
Nothing beats fresh summer blueberry desserts. I always turn to this list of 11 desserts after getting my hands on some fresh-picked bluebrries. Blueberries are one of those ingredients that need nothing more than themselves to be special. The color adds natural drama and the sweet-tart flavor is a perfect […]
When making homemade ice cream, you have to start with a really great base, which for me means lusciously smooth, with a dense and silky texture. The flavor should be rich, but not too buttery (greasy) and I always start my “French custard” ice cream base with vanilla. So start […]
Don’t be fooled into thinking you can’t put together a beautiful dessert table when the weather is hot. Summer days call for cool treats, but also anything with fresh berries. Here are some of my favorite red, white and/or blue 4th of July desserts. More Summer Favorites
Does any fruit say summer quite like strawberries? These strawberry desserts will help you make the most of the season of fresh berries! Strawberry season is nearly upon us and I can hardly wait to get my hands on those perfectly sweet ruby red berries and make some amazing strawberry […]
Father’s Day is a holiday that doesn’t seem to be tied to any specific food. A nice BBQ, perhaps? But the lack of a traditional meal is kind of nice because it means you can make exactly what your dad loves. To help, I’ve put together this guide of Father’s […]
This chocolate zucchini cake recipe is from my book Zoë Bakes Cakes! It’s moist and sweet, but not overly so, and intensely chocolate-y for a decadent and addicting dessert. This chocolate zucchini cake was inspired by one I ate while in college in Burlington, Vermont. I worked as a photo assistant, […]
Chocolate ganache is a simple, versatile recipe that every baker should have in their repertoire. All you need is some chocolate (this recipe uses bittersweet) and heavy cream for a smooth, delicious ganache. When I walk into a pastry shop, the glossy, perfectly smooth chocolate cakes covered with poured ganache […]
When the first warm days of spring and early summer hit, it’s time to make rhubarb desserts. Start with the classic roasted rhubarb recipe below, and then try one (or all) of my 9 favorite rhubarb recipes. The rhubarb is short, so whether your grow your own or head to […]
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...
