Zoe Bakes Season 1 Episode 8 Apple Classics

In episode 8 of Zoe Bakes season 1, titled "Apple Classics," Zoe Francois takes us on a delightful journey through various apple dessert recipes. The episode begins with Zoe preparing an apple cider syrup, which will be used in several of the recipes featured in this episode.

The first recipe she demonstrates is an apple galette, an open-faced tart made from a crisp and flaky pastry dough. Zoe expertly slices apples into thin, even pieces and arranges them in a circular pattern atop the pastry dough. She then folds the edges of the dough up and over the apples, creating a rustic, free-form crust. The galette is then brushed with egg wash and sprinkled with sugar before baking to a golden brown.

Next up are apple cider caramels, a sweet and chewy treat perfect for autumn. Zoe combines sugar, butter, cream, and apple cider syrup in a saucepan and heats the mixture until it reaches the soft ball stage. She then pours the mixture into a prepared baking dish and allows it to cool before cutting it into bite-sized caramel squares.

Zoe then moves on to apple cider donuts, a classic fall pastry. She starts by combining flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and apple cider syrup in a mixing bowl. She then adds eggs, milk, and melted butter and mixes until a smooth batter forms. Using a donut cutter, Zoe cuts out perfect rings of dough, which are then fried until golden brown and dusted with cinnamon sugar.

The fourth recipe on the lineup is a spiced apple cake, moist and flavorful with a cozy blend of spices. Zoe begins by mixing together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, she combines sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and apple cider syrup. The dry ingredients are gradually added to the wet ingredients, along with grated apples, until a batter forms. The batter is poured into a prepared baking dish and baked until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Finally, Zoe rounds out the episode with a timeless classic: apple pie. She starts by preparing a flaky, buttery pie crust from scratch. For the filling, she combines sliced apples, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a mixing bowl. The mixture is then poured into the prepared crust and topped with a lattice design made from strips of pastry dough. The pie is then baked until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

Throughout the episode, Zoe provides helpful tips and tricks for achieving the perfect texture and flavor in each recipe. She also shares some personal anecdotes and memories associated with each dessert, adding a cozy, nostalgic feel to the show. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, "Apple Classics" has something for everyone.