Spring is just around the corner, and daydreaming about springtime in Paris may just be what you need to get through the rest of the winter. One of my favorite perks of traveling is experiencing the food of a region. Paris and all of Europe for that matter, have the most beautiful window displays of pastries. I'm guilty of having too many food photos, but can't help myself.
Paris is sweet on the eye, sweet on the romance and sweet on the palette. It is a sugar lovers dream and the only problem you'll have when it comes to the delectable French deserts is which one to choose. To help you navigate that yummy last course we've broken down the top 9 must try deserts for your visit to France. And if you have to eat more than one a day just to get through them? Well, c'est la vie!
Sweet treats we have tried and loved!
Macaron - Macarons are undeniably delectable. There are so many flavors to choose from. The base ingredients include an airy meringue and almonds. Be sure to not confuse with coconut macaroons, in which the English added the -oon to the word in the 16th century.
Tartes Aux Fruits - Prepared with fresh fruit inside a buttery pastry. The fruit sit atop a heavenly chantilly cream. You can enjoy these tartes in both miniature and pie sizes.
The Eclair - A very popular dessert in Paris. The long french
choux pastry can be filled with either a rich custard or pastry cream, and topped with a sweet fondant. By definition, the term eclair means lightning in French. Go Figure!
The Paris Brest - This pastry was created to celebrate the Paris to Brest bicycle ride in 1891. Naturally, its circular and contains praline flavored creme and choux pastry.
The Choux a La Creme - These cream puffs are created
using puff pastry as well. They swell while cooking and are actually hollow. The oozing center can be either whipped cream or custard. Interestingly enough, once you add chocolate as your topping, it then becomes a profiterole. There are various different toppings you can
add to this pastry, from ice cream to fruit and even spun caramel.
The Tarte Au Citron - Also known as the lemon tart are also very popular. Donning a pastry crust and delicious lemon filling. The filling, however, is not made with fruit. The cream is a mixture containing lemon juice, lemon zest and of course, eggs and sugar.
The Mille Feuille - This fluffy treat comes in a vanilla or custard slice and is comprised of several layers of puff pastry. Between the puff pastry lies an additional two layers of pastry creme. Another name for the Mille Feuill is the Napoleon.
The Tarte Tatin - Named for the hotel that serves the dessert (Hotel Tatin), the Tarte Tatin is a unique upside-down pastry. Its ingredients include caramelized fruit prepared with sugar and butter. It pairs famously with a bit of tart creme fraiche.
The Petits Four - Translated, petit four means small oven,and are also known as mignardises. The fours are miniature bite-sized confections that can also be savory if you choose. The sweet route includes a sugary glaze atop a crispy biscuit. These pasteries are perfect for a tea party!
Now that I've whetted your appetite (or raised your blood sugar) it may be the time to start planning your trip to Paris. It would be my pleasure to help you figure out how to make the most of your time in the City of Lights. Call me at 920-845-2600 to set up your appointment and I'll have some treats ready for you!