Ever look at a French pastry and wonder how it gets so flaky and buttery? Some are easier to make than they seem. These recipes give you crisp layers, soft centers, and plenty of rich flavor. Start here when you want homemade pastries that look good enough for a bakery.
Apple Tarte Tatin
Apple tarte tatin is one of the most elegant French desserts out there. Soft and delicious caramelized apples sit on a bed of flaky, buttery puff pastry, ensuring every bite is packed with the best flavor and texture. It's a classic for a reason!
Go to the recipe: Apple Tarte Tatin
Creme Brulee Macarons
Crème brûlée macaron is a dream for Crème brûlée and macarons lovers! This macaron recipe delivers on all the key Crème brûlée attributes without compromise: lovely bite-sized macaron shells are sandwiched together with creamy custard filling while a crunchy caramelized sugar is added on top as decoration. This Crème brûlée macaron is smooth, silky yet crunchy and chewy, full Crème brûlée experience in a lovely French macaron format.
Go to the recipe: Creme Brulee Macarons
Madeleines
Classic French Madeleines are one of the easiest, most delicious little tea cakes you can make. I flavor them with vanilla and lemon for a classic taste, and the iconic shell shape makes them look so elegant. It's clear why this traditional French snack is so popular!
Go to the recipe: Madeleines
Apple Pie Choux Au Craquelin
This Apple Pie Choux au craquelin (crispy cream puff) is the perfect combination of American Apple pie and French Choux pastry, a showstopper dessert that will be the start this Fall! I love how the crispy Choux au craquelin bonds with the creamy homemade Apple pie filling while the whipped mascarpone on top balances the flavors. Its delicate texture and delicious flavor will certainly impress everyone.
Go to the recipe: Apple Pie Choux Au Craquelin
Cream Puff
This easy cream puffs recipe is the perfect combination of fancy and simple! With a crisp choux pastry shell, a silky chantilly cream filling, and a dusting of sweet powdered sugar, this French-style favorite is just as perfect for a cozy night at home with friends and family as it is for an elegant dinner party or special event. The best part? Even novice bakers can make them with the help of my step-by-step recipe!
Go to the recipe: Cream Puff
Sablé Breton Tart
Sablé Breton is a delicious French pâtissérie-style buttery pastry often used as a base of a cake or tart or simply enjoyed as sable cookies. This Sablé Breton tart filled with raspberry confit, custard - creme mousseline, to be exact - and raspberries is a delicious and super decorative dessert that you will be able to make easily following my step-by-step baking guide.
Go to the recipe: Sablé Breton Tart
Mille Feuille
Mille Feuille is a classic French pastry defined by its alternating flaky pastry layers and smooth cream filling. This recipe makes the French treat easy to follow, breaking it down step by step so that you can recreate the beautiful bakery treat right in your own kitchen.
Go to the recipe: Mille Feuille
Chouquettes
Made with fluffy choux pastry dough and sweet Swedish pearl sugar, these light and airy chouquettes may be only one or two bites, but they are absolutely irresistible! Serve these delicious French sugar puffs for breakfast with a hot cup of tea or coffee, and enjoy a few as an afternoon snack or after dinner.
Go to the recipe: Chouquettes
Chocolate Hazelnut Macarons
Chocolate hazelnut macarons are a dream for chocolate and hazelnut lovers in a lovely, bite-sized French macaron format. The macarons are filled with silky chocolate ganache and hazelnut paste with the most delicious natural nutty flavor. These creamy, crunchy, chewy macarons are the ultimate afternoon tea snack that will impress everyone!
Go to the recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Macarons
Classic Chocolate Eclair
This is seriously the BEST classic chocolate eclair recipe that will take you through how to make eclairs at home step by step. It's a foolproof recipe designed for home bakers in their kitchen environment but delivers professional results. Mastering homemade eclairs is one of the most rewarding skills to learn!
Go to the recipe: Classic Chocolate Eclair
Pear Tarte Tatin
This pear tarte tatin is a stunning take on the classic French upside-down tart, apple tarte tatin. Caramelized pears melt into a rich, buttery caramel sauce beneath layers of flaky puff pastry that bake to a perfect golden crust. It’s a timeless dessert that feels both rustic and refined.
Go to the recipe: Pear Tarte Tatin
Tiramisu Choux Au Craquelin
This tiramisu choux au craquelin (crispy cream puff) perfectly combines Italian tiramisu and French choux pastry. It's a showstopper dessert that will impress everyone! It's a crispy cream puff with creamy mascarpone filling, all dusted with cocoa powder. Its delicate texture and delicious flavor can make it the star of any occasion!
Go to the recipe: Tiramisu Choux Au Craquelin
Homemade Ladyfingers
Perfectly baked and ever so slightly crisp on the outside, yet soft and airy on the inside, this homemade ladyfingers recipe (Savoiardi) is a game changer for your next tiramisu! It's so much better than buying store-bought cookies! It is so easy to make, and the cookies bake up so light and fluffy like perfect little sponges.
Go to the recipe: Homemade Ladyfingers
Palmiers
Sweet and sugary palmiers are an easy and crisp puff pastry recipe. They contain just two ingredients, and if you use store-bought puff pastry, they take just 40 minutes! Serve palmiers with a cup of coffee; it's one of the quickest, easiest dessert pastry recipes. They are the ideal choice of sweet puff pastry recipes for beginner bakers.
Go to the recipe: Palmiers
Croquembouche
Croquembouche is a very famous sight in French patisserie windows. Have you ever seen a tower of profiteroles wrapped in a delicate cobweb of spun sugar? It's certainly a showstopper! A beautiful and impressive croquembouche is traditionally served at weddings as a grand centerpiece; it isn't hard to see why.
Go to the recipe: Croquembouche
Earl Grey Macarons with Lemon Curd Filling
These Earl Grey macarons with lemon curd filling are the ultimate French bite-sized desserts, perfect for tea lovers! The French macaron shells are loaded with fragrant Earl Grey loose tea and sandwiched together with homemade creamy, buttery, tangy lemon curd that perfectly balances the tea-inspired shells. These Earl Grey macarons will certainly be the star of your next afternoon tea!
Go to the recipe: Earl Grey Macarons with Lemon Curd Filling
Profiteroles
Featuring a crisp choux pastry shell, luscious pastry cream filling, and a decadent, glossy chocolate glaze, every bite of these easy profiteroles is like a taste of heaven! Whether making them for a special occasion or just because, these fun, bite-sized treats are guaranteed to impress!
Go to the recipe: Profiteroles
Paris-Brest
Paris-Brest, a delicate ring-shaped choux pastry with hazelnut praline crème mousseline filling, is definitely the Queen of French pastries! Crispy pâte à choux bonds together with silky, nutty creme mousseline filling in my classic French recipe! Extra praline paste and roasted hazelnuts in the filling bring additional crunchiness, making this Paris-Brest one of the most impressive desserts of all!
Go to the recipe: Paris-Brest
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