Zoë François’s Newsletter

Share this post
Gift Ideas for the Holidays
zoefrancois.substack.com

Gift Ideas for the Holidays

Plus recent posts you may have missed, like Thanksgiving desserts, cranberry coffee cake, and more!

Zoë François
Nov 14, 2021
3
Share this post
Gift Ideas for the Holidays
zoefrancois.substack.com

Did someone forward this to you? If you like it, consider signing up for yourself. You can also get extra content, including exclusive recipes, Q&As with guest chefs from my Magnolia Network show, book reviews, bakery recommendations from my travels and more by signing up for my Extras newsletter!


The holiday season is upon us! It should come as no surprise that in my house this is a time of year for desserts and baked treats (as if there is a time of year that isn’t). It’s also a time for gathering with friends and family and sharing some of your favorite meals and baked goods.

I always feel like the best gifts are ones that share experiences with others, and food is one of the best ways to share. With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of my essential tools for baking—to add to your wish list or to gift to the bakers in your life. There’s also food gift ideas, jewelry, and must-have cookbooks. If you ever wonder what I use in my own kitchen, head on over to my Amazon shop to find absolutely everything.

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS


Gift Idea: Homemade Vanilla Extract

It is SO easy to make your own vanilla extract and I love hearing how so many of you are doing this after watching me use my giant bottle of homemade extract on my Magnolia Network show, Zoë Bakes. Package it in pretty bottles and adorn it with a ribbon and tag and you have a lovely gift for anyone this holiday season. Here’s where I buy my vanilla beans.

GET THE RECIPE


Gift Idea: Cookbooks

There are so many incredible cookbooks to choose from, so check out this list of all the books I have baked from recently and for decades. Or choose from one of the eight books I’ve authored over the years:

  • Zoë Bakes Cakes (2021)

  • The Best of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day (2021)

  • Holiday and Celebration Bread in Five Minutes a Day (2018)

  • The New Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day (2016)

  • Gluten Free Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day (2014)

  • The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day (2013)

  • Artisan Pizza and Flatbread in Five Minutes a Day (2011)

MY ULTIMATE LIST OF COOKBOOKS


Recipes Featuring Fall Spices

When I think of fall flavors, it’s the spices that really set this time of year apart. There is something warm and inviting about baking with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, clove and so many more. Sometimes one spice is featured and other treats have a combination. Pumpkin spice mix may be the most famous blend, but really the possibilities are endless and delicious. Today I have a guide to some of my favorite spices and the recipes that showcase them. I had to start out with cinnamon, because it may just be the official flavor of fall.

FALL SPICE RECIPES


Rustic Almond Coffee Cake with Cranberries

This is a cake from Zoë Bakes Cakes and in the book, I baked it with grapes; juicy, sweet, but slightly tart, table grapes. Both are a perfect match for almond paste, an ingredient with which I’m more than just a bit smitten; there are so many ways to play with the slightly creamy, earthy flavor. Together with the olive oil, the combination makes a gorgeous cake that’s just as suited for a holiday table as it is for a Tuesday-morning coffee cake. The moist cake is also one that lasts for days, so if you need a cake you can bake ahead for your holiday morning, this is the one!

GET THE RECIPE


Thanksgiving Desserts

The Thanksgiving meal, of course, has plenty to offer, but what stands out more to your guests than the grand finale? Whether you are looking for simple or classic fall flavors, or want to try something a little different this year, I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite Thanksgiving Desserts, including plenty that don’t feature pumpkin. Of course, if you want to keep it simple, you can always make a classic apple pie. Or better yet, if your guest list is big enough, make the apple pie and one or two of these recipes.

THANKSGIVING DESSERTS


Leave a comment

Share Zoë François’s Newsletter

3
Share this post
Gift Ideas for the Holidays
zoefrancois.substack.com
3 Comments

Create your profile

0 subscriptions will be displayed on your profile (edit)

Skip for now

Only paid subscribers can comment on this post

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in

Check your email

For your security, we need to re-authenticate you.

Click the link we sent to , or click here to sign in.

Rita Karmiol
Nov 14, 2021

Love your newsletter and recipes. Only think on cardamom pear cake how do pears not sink into cake. Too far down

Expand full comment
ReplyGift a subscriptionCollapse
2 replies by Zoë François and others
2 more comments…
TopNewCommunity

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2022 Zoë François
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Publish on Substack Get the app
Substack is the home for great writing