French Banana Bread (Gâteau aux Bananes Moelleuses)

A recipe + giveaway from James Beard–winning writer and dessert columnist for The Wall Street Journal, Aleksandra Crapanzano.

In anticipation of the Paris 2024 Olympics, I find myself leaning into all things French. Books, cocktails, and French banana bread . . .

Vesper Cocktail from Drinking French by David Lebovitz

I’ve been making evening cocktails from David Leobovitz’s book, Drinking French. Perhaps my favorite so far is the “Liason,” a heady mix of Scotch, Grand Marnier, and two Vermouths or a James Bond-inspired Vesper with Lillet, vodka, and a hint of gin. I am not a drinker, but I am obsessed with creating the perfect cocktail and my husband is happy to test them for me.

Update: The French Manhattan is a new favorite! ;)

Market Cooking Class in Paris with Jane Bertch

If you recall the newsletter about my trip to Paris last fall, you may remember the charmed day I spent with Jane Bertch at her cooking school, La Cuisine Paris. Jane has written a memoir about “making a life in Paris one lesson at a time” called The French Ingredient. If you’ve ever dreamt of packing up and moving to Paris, she’s written your guide. I am so inspired by this love letter she penned to Paris and French food. Until I move there myself I will live vicariously through Jane’s words.

Dorie Greenspan is my hero for so many reasons. I adore her baking, her lifestyle, her fashion, and most of all, her generosity of spirit. She is the cookbook author I aspire to be and the human I strive to emulate. And, she lives in Paris! She has written several books about her time there and that of her Mentor, Julia Child. Find her books and buy them, you will be better for it.

Ruth Reichl and Claire Saffitz discussing The Paris Novel

At the Cherry Bombe Jubilee this spring, I heard Ruth Reichl talking about her new book, The Paris Novel and it became my summer reading obsession. Ruth is a renowned food writer, so it is full of all the delicious French food we swoon over, but it’s about self-discovery through fashion, art, and slippery oysters. A perfect summer read on the porch with a great cocktail from David’s book.

Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about Gâteau, “The Surprising Simplicity of French Cakes” by Aleksandra Crapanzano, an award-winning food writer. This is a treasure of stories and the cakes that go along with them from her time in Parisian kitchens. They are not fussy or pretentious, just delicious and easy to make. You may not immediately think of banana bread when you think of French desserts but this is one of the best I have ever had.

Moist and comforting, but also sophisticated in the layer of flavors. You will love this French banana bread and Aleksandra was kind enough to share it with us, see below for the recipe! She is also going to send a lucky winner a copy of her gorgeous book, full of cakes and lovely watercolor paintings. So French to add art!

Head to the recipe and leave a comment and you’ll be entered for a chance to win! All giveaway rules and details are in the post. GIVEAWAY CLOSED

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What to Bake This Weekend

• Summer is bonfire season, and what better way to up your s’mores game than with Homemade Graham Crackers and Homemade Marshmallows? It’s an easy recipe that is sure to impress your guests. I was so thrilled to see that Molly Yeh made these with her young family last weekend!

• Summer is also perfect for backyard pizza parties. Even if you don’t have an outdoor pizza oven, you can still make this amazing Homemade Pizza and enjoy it on the patio.

• This weekend is also a great time to bake bread for this month’s Zoë’s Baking Academy: Bread! I just posted a new video about how to make a sourdough starter from scratch. Enter to win a prize from Emile Henry and a signed copy of my Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day book!

As always, if you make any of my recipes, please leave a rating/review. It helps other people find my recipes more easily!

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