Have you ever wondered what Paris actually tastes like? Sweet. French didn’t spend centuries perfecting the art of pastry for nothing and they know what they’re doing when it comes to a dessert. From wonders filled with crème pâtissière to fruit tarts to sweet pastries, every item is mouthwatering and delicious. Since we can’t all take a trip to France, fix yourself a strong cup of coffee alongside one of these sweet treats and you’ll be pretty close.
1. Eclair au chocolat
Something magical happens when you combine choux pastry and chocolate cream filling. It’s both delicious and comforting.
Where to try: L’Éclair de génie
Find a recipe here.
2. Paris-Brest
This wheel of choux pastry filled with mouthwatering hazelnut praline cream is so good, that it might make you cry.
Where to try: Jacques Genin
The recipe is here.
3. Macarons
These light-as-a-feather confections are one of the most mouthwatering gifts France has offered to the world.
Taste them at Pierre Hermé or find a recipe here.
4. Mont-Blanc
Because you just can’t go wrong with the meringue and chestnut cream combination. This is THE cake to eat with coffee.
Where to try: Angelina Tea House
Here is a perfect recipe.
5. Croissants
Because a life without croissants isn’t a life worth living.
Where to try: Laurent Duchêne
Click here for a recipe.
6. Ispahan
The star of Pierre Hermé’s. The sweetness of lychees, tartness of raspberries and lingering aroma of rose is so good, it might make you cry.
Or you can try making it yourself! Here is the recipe.
7. Tarte Tatin
This gorgeous caramelized upside-down apple tart is simply the queen of apple.
Where to try: Benoît Castel
Find a great recipe here.
8. Opera Cake
Layers of almond sponge, coffee buttercream and chocolate ganache. Another French classic to make your taste buds sing.
Where to try: Dalloyau
Here is the recipe.
9. Clafoutis
Traditionally made with cherries, this flan-like textured dessert is one of the easiest French treats you can make at home. Almost too cute to eat. Almost.
Where to try: Maison Mulot
10. Chocolate Profiteroles
Featherlight choux pastry filled with gorgeous cream and drizzled with loads of chocolate. Food orgasm guaranteed.
Where to try: Le Relais de L’Entrecote
Click here for the recipe.
11. Gâteau Saint Honoré
Cream puffs, pastry cream and whipped cream combined for a mind-blowing result. Out of heaven and into your heart.
Where to try: Ladurée
Find a recipe here.
12. French Lemon Tart
This bright citrus tart is a classic that never lets you down. When life gives you a lemon cake, eat it. Eat all of it.
Where to try: La Pâtisserie Cyril Lignac
Here is a great recipe from David Lebovitz.
13. Mille-Feuille
This classic French treat uniting layers of puff pastry and custard is airy, crispy, flaky, and decadent in all the right places. A true classic that never lets you down.
Where to try: Pierre Hermé
A great recipe for this fantastic dessert is here.
14. Choux à la Crème
The first time I tasted Choux à la crème I heard angels sing. You’ll have a hard time finding anything more comforting than this light pastry shell with a thick, rich custard creme.
Where to try: Odette
15. Religieuses au Chocolat
These mini-towers of choux pastry glory-filled crème pâtissière, mostly commonly chocolate or mocha, are simply too good to exist.
Where to try: Pâtisserie Christophe Michalak
Check the recipe here.
16. Baba au Rhum
Rhum for a dessert? Now that’s the spirit.
Where to try: Stohrer
A fantastic recipe from Martha Stewart is here.
17. Chocolate Soufflé
Great on its own or served with warm chocolate sauce. Chocolate with more chocolate. Could it get any better?
Where to try: Comice
A perfect recipe here from The Kitchn.
18. Croquembouche
This spectacular-looking creation is made by piling choux pastry balls into a cone and binding them with threads of caramel. The queen of all cakes.
Where to try: Angelina
Find a recipe here.
19. Tarte Tropézienne
It’s basically a giant cream bun. Do you really need more convincing?
If you want to make it yourself, find a recipe here.
20. Canelé
This amazing specialty from Bordeaux is a magical treat with a rich custardy interior enclosed by a thin caramelized shell. Coffee’s best friend.
Where to try: Aux Deux Canelés
The technique for a perfect canelé is here.
21. Chocolate Mousse
Something magical happens when you combine chocolate, eggs and cream.
Where to try: Chocolat Chapon
22. Crêpes Suzette
Retro classic of pancakes in a boozy orange sauce traditionally served flambé. Everyday should end with a Crêpes Suzette.
Where to try: Breizh Café
23. Crème Brûlée
Crème Brulee’s seductiveness lies in the contrast between the subtle caramelized topping and the smooth, creamy custard base. Crack right into the sweetness of heaven!
Where to try: Le Potager du Père Thierry
Click here for a recipe.
24. Flan Parisien
You could think of it as the “not-so-distant” cousin of the delicious Portuguese egg custard tart. It’s hard to find a bakery in Paris that doesn’t sell this popular treat.
Where to try: La Pâtisserie Cyril Lignac
Check this great recipe.
25. Chouquettes
These little puffs of choux pastry, sprinkled with pearl sugar, are crisp, airy, and simply irresistible.
Where to try: Les Choupettes de Chouchou
26. Palmiers
The French bakery classic, done right. Although it’s simply puff pastry with sugar, the way the flaky, buttery layers practically melt on the tongue is magical.
Where to try: Le Boulanger de La Tour
Recipe from The Kitchn is here.
27. Île flottante (floating island)
This meringue floating on a vanilla custard is the classic dessert French grandmas make for their grandchildren.
Where to try: Aux Lyonnais
28. French Fig Tart
Everyday should end with a piece of French fig tart. It’s both comforting and flavorful.
Where to try: Sébastien Gaudard
Click here for a recipe.
29. Madeleines
Those shell-like-shaped cookies served as Proust’s muse in his famous Remembrance of Things Past. They are simple, straightforward, and, you guessed it, comforting.
Where to try: Blé Sucré
To make it yourself find a recipe here.
