If you are a dessert lover, you must have always been fascinated by the very special country that is perhaps an expert in pastries. Yes, the French pastries will never go out of style and that’s what makes us go ‘drooling’ and ‘aww-ing’ over the world of patisserie.
Check out this fancy list of pastries that are fashioned in French blends and are way too ‘glamorously’ yummy to not be eaten.
15 French Pastries for Every Dessert Lover
1. Croissant
The first fancy to be drooled over when we hear about French patisseries. This pastry that was born in Austria and was later adopted by the French, is a conflation of dough loaded with butter and flakes…more flakes. It appears to be puffy and crusty.
The bakers adore folding this buttery flavoured pastry. Textured with a crispy exterior, croissant serves you a soft bite and a room to fill the interior with a filling of your choice. So, if you plan to have your breakfast in the French style, put croissant on #1 in your menu. Always.
2. Éclairs
Éclairs are made with choux dough and filled with flavored cream and icing on the exterior. This French pastry comes in variants of flavours and fillings. The common one is the chocolate éclair. Apart from this, vanilla éclair, strawberry éclair, lemon éclair also deserve to be tasted at any French bakery.
3. Macarons
The popular French macarons are made with two almond cookies put together with ganache, jam, or buttercream. Macarons originated from Italy but by the 1500s, they began getting relished in France. Available in different flavours like coffee, pistachio, lemon, strawberry and so on, macarons are something we salivate over. With being the beloved to many of us, macarons are also the camera-worthy subject we cannot get enough of. (And yes, they do qualify as a perfect little gift.)
4. Opéra Cake
Made with almond sponge cake and soaked in coffee syrup, opéra cake is layered with ganache (commonly coffee and chocolate flavour) and coffee buttercream, with the topping of chocolate glaze. This cake demonstrates the French patisserie in the most special and sophisticated way.
5. Tarte Tatin
Caramel and butter join sweet apples (however, many bakers use other fruits as well) to make this delicious fruit tart. However, it is a member of French pastries but is now popular worldwide.
6. Canelé
The small, easy-going, and snacky one! Born in the Bordeaux region of France, Canelé is bathed in caramel and serves the taste of vanilla and rum. These tiny cakes can be considered to be eaten with your evening tea or wine, perhaps.
7. Créme Caramel
This pastry is a custard dessert topped with a soft layer of caramel. It is one of the classic French pastries that go for smooth and light bites. It is quite popular in Spain, Portugal, Japan, and the Philippines.
8. Mille-Feuille
Also celebrated as Napoleon by many, Mille-feuille is a classic French pastry which uses several thin layers (says the name itself) that are combined with pastry cream and topped with black and white icing. Its variations are savoured in Russia, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
9. Créme Brûlée
Often known as a relative of Créme caramel, this dessert consists of egg yolk, vanilla, caramel, and cream. Available at every bakery and restaurant in France, this dessert is relished with a spoon crackling its top.
10. Kouign Amann
Coming from Brittany, Kouign Amann takes ingredients like bread dough, butter, and sugar to make another lovely treat among French pastries. Claimed to be as crispy as croissant by many people, this pastry adds to the French must-haves.
11. Madeleines
Madeleines are small shell-like sponge cakes that are baked in a pan. Thanks to the key ingredients like eggs, flour, sugar, nuts, and almonds, ‘Petite Madeleine’ or madeleines are a perfect fit for your pastime mood.
12. Paris-Brest
This delicious dessert is made of choux pastry filled with praline flavored crème. Considered one of the most beloved pastries in France, this one will entice your taste buds with its rich and creamy center.
13. St. Honoré
A perfect French delight with (not to mention) a perfect French name. St. Honore is one of the classic French pastries made with puff pastry, choux pastry, caramelized sugar, chiboust cream, and whipped cream. Its mere appearance will be enough for your tongue to break all the barriers and just give in.
14. Brioche
This French bread may look like other common bread that we can get at any bakery but hold on, it is not. The quality use of eggs and butter in perfect quantity provides every crumb with a fine taste. It’s a perfect little breakfast snack with, of course, toppings of choco chips, or fillings if you wish.
15. Profiterole
A profiterole, also known as chou à la crème, is choux pastry filled with whipped cream, custard, and pastry cream. Some prefer its filling to be done with cheese or puree. Bonus is the topping with chocolate sauce and powdered sugar that you will not want to miss savoring.
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