Ep 9. Nordic Treats

In this episode of Zoe Bakes season 2, titled "Nordic Treats," Zoe Francois explores the sweet side of Scandinavian baking. She begins by demonstrating how to make a classic Swedish dessert called Kladdkaka, which is a dense, chocolatey cake topped with whipped cream and lingonberry jam. Zoe explains how to achieve the perfect balance of fudgy and gooey textures in the cake, and shares some tips for decorating it with a beautiful whipped cream swirl.

Next up, Zoe makes a Norwegian treat called Krumkake, which are delicate, crispy cookies that are shaped into cones and filled with whipped cream and berries. She shows how to use a special Krumkake iron to shape the cookies, and shares some creative serving ideas, such as dipping the tips of the cones in melted chocolate and topping them with nuts or sprinkles.

Zoe then switches gears to showcase a savory dish from Denmark: Smørrebrød, which is an open-faced sandwich made with rye bread and a variety of toppings. She chooses to top her Smørrebrød with smoked salmon, dill cream cheese, and pickled red onion, and explains how the different flavors and textures complement each other for a delicious and satisfying lunch.

Moving on to another sweet treat, Zoe makes a Finnish pastry called Runeberg Cake, which is a fragrant almond cake flavored with rum and topped with raspberry jam and a sugar glaze. She shows how to make the cake batter and shares some decorating tips, such as creating a heart-shaped jam swirl on top.

Finally, Zoe concludes the episode with a recipe for a Danish pastry called Wienerbrød, which is a flaky, buttery pastry that can be shaped into a variety of shapes and filled with different sweet or savory fillings. Zoe chooses to make a classic Danish pastry called a Spandauer, which is filled with almond paste and topped with a drizzle of royal icing. She walks viewers through each step of the pastry-making process, from folding the butter into the dough to shaping and filling the pastries.

Throughout the episode, Zoe shares her enthusiasm for Nordic baking and encourages viewers to try these recipes at home. She also includes some background information about each dish, such as its cultural significance and variations in different Nordic countries. Whether viewers are new to Scandinavian baking or seasoned experts, they are sure to enjoy this tasty and informative episode of Zoe Bakes.