Easy French Desserts

Which French Pastries to Make at Home

The New York Times has a fascinating article on what and how to cook while watching the Olympics at home. While there are brilliant ideas for charcuterie and more, here’s what they say about desserts:

“For dessert: cookies and ice cream - cherry, vanilla and blueberry, red, white and blue, conveniently the colors of both the French and American flags.”

For red, white, and blue, try our Easy Berry Cake or this snack mix.

We have some more dessert ideas for you. After the cheese board and easy ratatouille, that is!

French Desserts: Types of Pastries in France

When in Paris, as they say, there is nothing quite like delicate macarons and yeasty croissants threaded with divinely decadent chocolate. Not to mention sampling these delicacies in a favorite patisserie.

While we could share dozens of recipes for delicious French desserts, I’ve narrowed it down to a few of my favorite pastries.

Here is my list of favorite French Pastries

1. Macarons
2. Pain au Chocolat
3. Eclairs
4. Pomme Tarte Tatin
5. Madeleines
6. Chocolate Mousse
7. Lemon Curd Tart
8. Ganache Tart
9. Chocolate Souffle (my husband proposed with a ring onto of a chocolate souffle– happy sigh).
10. Croquembouche

French Desserts

Here, you will find recipes for French Desserts worthy of a favorite patisserie. These include super easy recipes like Pain au Chocolat (or chocolate croissants), creme brulee, macarons, and more.

1

cake-geek.com

Croquembouche

Croquembouche is a French dessert of choux pastry puffs piled into a cone and bound with threads of caramel. In this post, it's styled as a beautiful wedding cake. It isn't as difficult as it may seem and is certainly unforgettable!

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2

Strawberry Macarons Recipe

Learn how to make easy strawberry macarons – irresistibly light, chewy, and delicious! And perfect for teatime or gifting!

Strawberry Macarons Recipe

3

Lemon Madeleines Recipe

Delicate lemon madeleines with a buttery crumb and golden shell shape. These classic French tea cakes are simple to make and perfect for teatime or dessert.

Madelenes Recipe

4

Easy Petit Pain au Chocolat (Chocolate Croissants)

If you love Pain au Chocolat, otherwise known as Chocolate Croissants, you will be over the moon with this easy-I mean incredibly easy-adaptation of the traditional French dessert.

Chocolate Croissants Recipe

5

Simple Lemon Curd Tart Recipe

This French Lemon Curd Tart is inspired by Tarte au Citron, or French Lemon Tart. It's a creamy, slightly tangy lemon custard filling baked in a crisp, buttery shortbread crust. It's incredibly simple to make, and utterly delicious!

Lemon Curd Tart

6

lechefswife.com

How to make crème brûlée like a French Chef

“This crème brûlée is absolute perfection – and, with a few insider tips, is easier than you think to make at home.”

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7

www.onceuponachef.com

Classic French Fruit Tart – Once Upon a Chef

“Whip up a French fruit tart that could dazzle in the window of a fancy bakery-with its buttery shortbread crust, luscious vanilla custard, and a vibrant mix of fresh fruits, it's a simple yet elegant treat for any occasion.”

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8

www.recipetineats.com

Éclairs

“Not even the finest patisseries around town can compete with homemade éclairs! Unlike shop-bought éclairs, the light-as-air choux is at its absolute, delicately-crisp best. Filled with Chantilly whipped cream and coated with a shiny chocolate glaze, this is an éclairs recipe that anyone can follow!”

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9

Easy French Ganache Tart

Rich, creamy and silky, this chocolate French Ganache Tart with Chocolate Almond Shortbread Crust is the easiest, fanciest dessert you will ever make.

French Ganache Tart

10

www.africanbites.com

Crepe Suzette

“Warm, tender crepes coated in a delicious orangey buttery syrup, all made from scratch.”

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11

www.laylita.com

French Molten Chocolate Cake {Moelleux au chocolat}

“This molten chocolate cake is very easy to make and is prepared with dark chocolate, salted butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. It is served with fresh basil (or mint) and your choice of berries, ice cream, or sorbet. “

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12

Apple Tarte Tatin

This Apple Tarte Tatin is a delicious, French-inspired apple tart, baked in rich caramel sauce, that's perfect to serve during apple season, or anytime you're craving sweet baked apples with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Apple Tarte Tatin Recipe

13

Palmier Elephant Ears Recipe

A simple summer treat, these simple Elephant Ears are oven baked, with store-bought ingredients.

Palmier Recipe

14

doriegreenspan.com

Paris Confidential: Top-Secret Chocolate Mousse

“It's my favorite spur-of-the-moment dessert. And it's the favorite of millions of French home cooks too. It's a recipe that needs just chocolate, a few separated eggs and salt. I add sugar to the whites, just because it makes them easier to whip to what the French call 'firm snow'.”

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15

Easy French Apple Hand Pies

This French Apple Hand Pies recipe is a super easy, delicious adaptation of French Apple Pie. And are reminiscent of a favorite boulangerie. Simple and sweet, perfect with a cup of tea.

French Apple Hand Pies

More French Recipes to Try

If you love the simplicity and beauty of French cuisine, you may want to try this simple but delicious French Asparagus Timbale. It’s perfect for brunch or as a delicious dinner side dish.

My French Provincial Cassoulet is a classic, hearty crockpot meal that is always a favorite. Simple to make and filled with flavor from sausages, white beans, and herbs.

If you’re looking for other French-inspired savory dishes, quiche is always a great option or tart, like French Creamed Onion Tart with Bacon and Crème Fraîche or pasta like Crème Fraiche Pasta.

Enjoy the Olympics and savor the food!

Bon Appétit!