Ep 5. Small Portions

Zoe Bakes season 3 episode 5 is titled "Small Portions" and features a range of desserts that are perfect for individual servings. Zoe, a talented baker and host of the show, showcases several techniques and recipes for making bite-sized treats that are ideal for gatherings, parties, or as a sweet indulgence.

In this episode, Zoe starts off by making mini cheesecakes with gingersnap crusts. She demonstrates how to make the crust from scratch using crushed gingersnap cookies, butter, and sugar. She then shows how to make the cheesecake filling and shares tips on how to properly portion it into individual cups. Finally, Zoe tops off the cheesecakes with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed gingersnap.

Next, Zoe moves on to making profiteroles, a classic French dessert made with choux pastry and filled with whipped cream or pastry cream. Zoe demonstrates how to make the choux pastry from scratch and shows the technique for piping it into small rounds. She then bakes the pastry shells and fills them with whipped cream. To finish off the profiteroles, Zoe makes a quick chocolate sauce and drizzles it over the tops.

Following the profiteroles, Zoe switches gears to a more savory dessert - mini quiches with bacon and cheddar. Zoe prepares a simple quiche filling with eggs, cream, bacon, and cheddar cheese and pours it into pre-made piecrust. She bakes the mini quiches until they are golden brown and puffed up and then serves them hot out of the oven.

The final dessert that Zoe shares in this episode is a velvety chocolate mousse. She demonstrates how to make the mousse using only three ingredients - chocolate, water, and egg whites. After melting the chocolate and whisking it with water until smooth, Zoe whips the egg whites into stiff peaks and then gently folds them into the chocolate mixture. She then places the mousse into small cups and refrigerates them until they are set.

Throughout the episode, Zoe shares valuable tips and tricks for baking and decoration. She shows how to use a piping bag for the cheesecake and profiteroles and how to use garnishes like whipped cream and chocolate shavings to add a touch of elegance to each dessert. Zoe's infectious enthusiasm and passion for baking make this episode a delight to watch, and her recipes are easy to follow and perfect for any baker looking to make impressive, bite-sized desserts.