France really knows how to do dessert right. I am talking about buttery croissants and delicate macarons that make you feel like you are walking the streets of Paris.
Prepare your sweet tooth because I have gathered 23 incredible French pastry recipes for you to try at home.
1. Brioche Bread
This bread is famous for a reason. You get a golden buttery crust that hugs a light and fluffy center.
The flavor comes from plenty of butter since this is an enriched dough. It is actually quite simple to make with a good recipe.
Some people even love this more than croissants.
2. Madeleines
Light and buttery is the best way to describe these treats. These shell shaped cakes are a total dessert staple.
You will love the golden exterior and melt in your mouth texture. Enjoy them with a hot cup of coffee or just eat them as a quick snack.
3. French Cruller Doughnuts
These donuts are rings of fried dough covered in a sweet glaze. You make them with choux pastry which is the same base used for cream puffs.
Pipe the dough into strips and fry them until they are light and airy with a crisp outside. They make a perfect breakfast when served with coffee or tea.
4. Homemade Chouquettes (French Pastry Sugar Puffs)
These pastry sugar puffs are delicate French treats perfect for breakfast or snacking. You make them with choux pastry and coat them generously in powdered sugar.
They have a chewy texture with a salty sweet finish that I think you will adore. Dip them in warm melted chocolate for an extra special treat.
5. French Macarons
Macarons are delicate cookies that work for any occasion. These light and airy treats look beautiful in a display case with their colorful shells.
The base is almond flour with sugar and egg whites. You can fill them with anything from jam to frosting.
They are a bit tricky to make but totally worth the effort once you get the hang of it.
6. Crème Brûlée (French Vanilla Custard)
This exquisite dessert is actually much simpler than you might think. It is just a layer of thick custard topped with caramelized sugar.
You do need a kitchen torch to get that signature crack on top. Serve it in individual ramekins for the perfect end to a special meal.
The ingredients are simple staples like egg yolks and sugar and milk.
7. Kouign-Amann
This pastry uses laminated dough that is very similar to croissants. The process is basically identical so you could even double the recipe to get two treats.
The main difference is that you fold sugar into the dough during the final turn. That sugar caramelizes as it bakes to create an impossibly rich and crispy treat.
8. Mille Feuille
This dessert features thin layers of puff pastry with a delicious filling sandwiched between them. Pastry cream is the most common choice but you can also use whipped cream.
The pastry gets topped with a glaze made from powdered sugar and water. Fun fact is that this likely originated in Italy during the Renaissance.
9. French Canelé (Cannelé de Bordeaux)
These pastries are baked in special molds lined with beeswax. They originated in Bordeaux and pop out in a distinct cylinder shape.
The beeswax helps create a beautifully caramelized crust that hides a tender custard interior. Baking them can be tricky but patience will get you there.
10. Classic French Rum Baba (Baba au Rhum)
This cylindrical cake starts with a brioche dough base. You marinate the dough overnight in a spiced rum syrup to infuse it with incredible flavor.
Orange or lemon zest in the syrup gives the cake a unique taste. The distinct blend of flavors will tickle your taste buds instantly.
11. Gougères (French Cheese Puffs)
These are savory pastries made of choux dough folded with cheese. Making choux is actually a cinch if you have never tried it.
You just boil water and butter then dump the flour right in. Mix in the eggs and then add your cheese with Gruyère being the best choice.
12. French Pain au Chocolat
This is probably one of the most famous French pastries right behind the croissant. It uses the same laminated dough with thin layers of pastry and butter.
The difference is a stick of dark chocolate hidden in the middle. The chocolate melts while baking to create a decadent and gooey filling.
13. Bouchée à la Reine (Vol-au-Vent)
This savory dish features puff pastry filled with creamed mushrooms and diced chicken. You top it with a creamy white sauce that has made it popular worldwide.
The result is a crunchy flaky crust paired with a rich filling. You can serve this crowd pleaser as an appetizer or a main course.
14. Classic French Chocolate Éclair
Here is another classic choux pastry that I know you have tried before. This is a quintessential dessert of French cuisine.
It is traditionally filled with pastry cream and topped with ganache. You will find these all over the world featuring colorful glazes and scrumptious fillings.
15. Pain d’epices – French Spice Bread
This traditional sweet bread is made from flour and honey and spices. It has a characteristic dense texture with a flavor profile similar to gingerbread.
The taste is sweet yet savory. It makes a great partner for cheese platters or savory dishes like roast pork.
16. Mini French Breakfast Puffs
These puffs are like a cross between a muffin and a donut and a churro bite. They have a soft texture inside with a lightly crisp exterior.
You roll them in cinnamon sugar to give them a warm crunch. Pair these delectable morsels with a hot cup of coffee for a hearty morning treat.
17. Classic French Opera Cake
This sophisticated dessert is made of several different layers. The most important part is the soft almond sponge soaked in dreamy coffee syrup.
You sandwich coffee buttercream between three layers of the sponge. It gets topped with dark chocolate ganache and a glossy chocolate glaze finish.
18. Homemade French Croissants
Making this dough from scratch is definitely a time consuming project. You have to make the yeasted dough and let it rest overnight.
Then comes the process of rolling and folding in the butter which is called a turn. It takes patience but the result is absolutely worth it.
19. Crêpe Cake
Why settle for plain crêpes when you can build a whole cake? You get layers of lightly sweet pancakes and whipped cream that feel light but satisfying.
Top it off with chocolate ganache to balance out the sweetness. You can even add color to the cream for a fun rainbow effect.
20. Paris-Brest
This is another pastry based on choux dough like the eclair. Expect a light and airy treat with a slightly crisp edge.
This version is overflowing with cream rather than just having a small amount. It is traditionally filled with hazelnut praline paste and a dreamy mousse.
21. French Beignets
These French treats are round instead of the square shape you might see in America. They are just as soft and pillowy as any you would find at a cafe.
You do not need any fillings or decadent frostings here. Just give them a generous dusting of powdered sugar.
22. Classic French Palmiers
These sweet buttery cookies are made with just three ingredients. All you need is puff pastry and sugar and cinnamon.
Roll the cinnamon sugar mixture into the pastry for something stupidly easy. The cookies bake up crispy on the outside and airy on the inside.
23. French Financiers
These small rectangular teacakes are made primarily from nut flour and browned butter. You can find them in flavors like almond or hazelnut or pistachio.
Enjoy them in the morning with a cup of coffee. The shape actually pays homage to gold bars which symbolizes prosperity.