Pain au chocolat, croissant, millefeuille, éclair, madeleine, macaron, some French pastries are so popular that they can be found at patisseries and bakeries around the world. But there are some French delicacies that are lesser known and are mainly found in their country of origin. Here are the pastries you (most likely) can only order in France and have to try.
This sweet treat was created out of necessity. Bakers that were left with day-old stale brioche didn’t want to see it go to waste so they would soak it in syrup to moisten it, fill it with cream and topped it with meringue. This is quite a traditional recipe that is popular with specialist bakeries so you won’t find it at every spot you visit.
One of France’s lesser-known pastries, le bostock aux amandes, uses leftover brioche that is soaked in a sweet, citrus syrup and then baked with frangipane and sliced almonds on top. Think of a fancier version of french toast and that’s le bostock aux amandes.
The eclair needs no introduction, but have you heard of le divorcé? A coffee and chocolate cream puff (mini eclairs) are joined together with buttercream. The idea is that you can separate each of the sides cleanly and each of them on its own, hence the name.
You’ll find this fruity and fresh cake in most patisseries in France, but is less common in patisseries around the world. The strawberry cake is made of an almond sponge cake with meringue or pastry cream and fresh strawberries. It’s often made during strawberry season when the sweet fruit is available in abundance. Patisseries in France sell these in various sizes from bite-sized to a cake that can feed larger groups.
Like an eclair but in the shape of gumnut with a kirsch flavoured pastry cream. Le gland is often decorated with green, white or pink icing.
Grapes are at their peak right now, look for firm, bright fruit for a sweet juicy snack.
Another traditional French pastry, puits d’amour has a puff pastry case – like a vol au vent – that is filled with pastry cream or jam and decorated with icing sugar or covered with caramel. These bite-sized treats are perfect for those looking to satisfy a sweet craving on the go.
A classic among locals. Bourdaloue is a pear and almond cream tart found in many patisseries around France and has been in display cabinets since the 1900s. Fun fact, it’s actually named after a Parisian street, rue Bourdaloue in Paris’s 9th arrondissement.
