Hi! Meet your new friend, the most buttery, flaky, sweet French dessert platter that is so day-making, so flavorful and easy, and also… totally doable at home.
That’s right. We are calling upon the spirit of Paris to impress us with her sugary ways here, and she does not disappoint. Meet your new sweet tooth bestie.
1. French Toast
If you are looking to have dessert for breakfast, I am right there with you. French toast is basically that.
It is pan-fried bread that gets dunked in a mixture of eggs and milk. Top it with some powdered sugar or fresh fruit or maple syrup and you are in for a real treat.
You can really use any type of bread here. But of course Brioche or Challah or a French Baguette are the classic choices for authentic French toast.
2. French Chocolate Truffles
You only need four ingredients to make these happen. We are talking heavy cream and finely chopped chocolate and vanilla extract and cocoa powder.
You end up with these bite-sized chocolate balls that are bursting with oaky and nutty and sweet flavors.
Truffles are usually coated with cocoa powder but you can totally use other toppings. Think crunched almonds or coconut flakes or chocolate sprinkles.
3. Pears Belle Helene
Here is one of those French desserts where you just cannot say no.
Pears Belle Helene is an elegant dish made from pears poached in sugar with chocolate sauce on top and vanilla ice cream on the side. Wow.
It is light and not too sweet so it is the perfect way to finish any meal. It is also super easy to make especially if you already have some chocolate sauce on hand.
4. Creme Brulee
Creme Brulee is a baked custard that gets topped with a melted sugar crust. This burnt cream dessert has a velvety and pudding-like texture that is just so dreamy.
This recipe is a favorite for us because it is simple but feels like a real luxury. You only need the basics for the custard like eggs and heavy cream and sugar and vanilla.
Dressing up the creme brulee is where the fun is. You can add caramel to the bottom or create a flavored cream by adding some bright lemon zest.
5. Beignets
Beignets are deep-fried pastry dough that look a lot like donuts so do not be surprised when they taste like donuts.
Are there differences though? Yes. They are both fried but beignets are lighter and more pillowy.
They also look different since traditional donuts are round with a hole in the middle.
Beignets are cut into tiny squares so they are super easy to pick up and eat in one bite.
6. Palmier Cookies
Palmier means palm leaves in French. So it makes total sense that these cookies are in the shape of a palm leaf.
They are made from puff pastry and are perfect when they are buttery and sweet and crisp.
Palmiers are kind of like croissants but flakier and with just three simple ingredients. This recipe is my go-to when I need a crunchy dessert that also looks beautiful.
These cookies are also called French hearts. They bring a nice bit of class to any table.
7. French 75 Champagne Cocktail
Champagne cocktails have a reputation for being a light drink but not the French 75. It is one of those cocktails that is definitely not for the light-hearted.
This drink recipe has a mix of gin and lemon juice and simple syrup and champagne.
Wondering about the name? The drink is named after the field gun used by the French and Americans in World War I called the 75mm Howitzer.
They say the cocktail has a unique kick that feels like getting hit by accurate weaponry.
8. Caneles
Dark rum and vanilla are the main players in this caneles recipe. This cork-shaped pastry comes from Bordeaux and has a caramelized crust with a moist and custardy interior.
Caneles are best enjoyed when they are fresh so it is something you should definitely try at home. Plus it is hard to find these goodies in American bakeries.
For the best results just make sure you have some extra patience because caneles are a bit challenging to make.
But when you get that right mix of aromatic rum and burnt sugar and vanilla you are going to fall in love with this sweet treat.
9. French Fig Tart
The fig meets the sweet almond in this tasty pastry. It is a fantastic dessert for summer and autumnal dinner parties.
If you usually only use figs for salads now is the time to put them to much greater use.
Ripe figs are ideal here because they bring just the right level of sweetness.
With a baking time of only 40 minutes these French fig tart ingredients come together really quickly.
The result is an appetizing pastry with crisp edges and a soft interior topped with fresh fruit.
10. Crepes
Crepes are a crowd-favorite in France and pretty much everywhere else too. The reason is that they are a versatile dessert that calls for simple ingredients.
Every year on February 2 there is a celebration called the Day of the Crepe. On this day almost all French families make time to eat crepes.
These thin French pancakes can be served with just about any filling you want.
From fresh berries to whipped cream to Nutella you can make endless varieties of sweet dessert crepes.
11. Cherry Clafoutis
This cherry clafoutis is custardy and super-creamy and is almost like the child of flan and cake.
This dessert originated from the Limousin region and is traditionally made using sour morello cherries and local griottes.
The name clafoutis comes from the Occitan dialect which means to cover or fill. And this dish does a pretty great job filling our stomachs with juicy fruit batter.
12. Madeleines
French madeleines are shell-shaped cookies that actually taste like cake. Just sprinkle them with confectioner’s sugar on top to get that original taste.
You can also upgrade this dessert by adding in a flavored glaze. But honestly a nice dunk in dark chocolate is my favorite.
13. Cafe Liegeois
With 10 minutes of prep time that yields four servings this is the recipe you need if you are running late for dessert making.
Cafe Liegeois is a grown-up version of a typical sundae. It is made from iced coffee and ice cream and whipped cream.
Because it is basically coffee with ice cream you need the best espresso for a satisfying result.
If you want to make a variation for the kids just replace the coffee with chocolate sauce.
14. Cream Puffs
Every day could be a cream puff day if you learn this recipe. There is even a National Cream Puff Day that happens every January 2nd.
Authentic cream puffs are made from French choux pastry which is a delicate pastry dough made from pantry staples like butter and flour and eggs and water.
Of course cream puffs would not be complete without delicious fillings. Some great options include chocolate cream or vanilla pudding or savory cream cheese.
Just make sure you do not let your dough become too wet or runny so you avoid a deflated puff.
15. Ina Garten’s French Chocolate Bark
This recipe is based on Ina Garten’s book Barefoot Contessa which features fantastic flavors from simple ingredients.
There is no baking required. Plus you will only need eight minutes for this last-minute dessert.
Chocolate bark is a sheet of chocolate covered with candies and dried fruits and nuts. The steps for making this festive dessert are not set in stone.
Place the toppings in any way you like and cut the chocolate pieces into various sizes.
16. Yogurt Cake
Are you looking for a cake recipe that does not require a hand mixer? This is it.
Besides the easy baking steps you will want to use this recipe again and again for a heavenly and nutritious yogurt cake.
You have to use Greek yogurt for this French recipe. But you will have a lightly crumbed and wonderfully moist cake that is loved by most French children.
Feel free to add your own twist by including lemon zest or vanilla extract or mini chocolate chips into the batter.
17. Parisian Flan
Live the Parisian life for a moment with this classic French custard pie. It is a thick custard tart that you will find in any pâtisserie.
Parisian flan is a creamy vanilla custard baked into a flaky tart shell. It has a burnt top that adds unique flavors to the flan.
This make-ahead dessert is also a wonderful afternoon snack. Eat it with your hands just like true Parisians do.
18. Apple Cranberry Galette
Another French cake is here to fulfill your sweet cravings. This time it is flat and round with slices of apples and cranberries peeking through the crust.
Apple cranberry galette is an upgraded version of apple pie. It has a flaky buttery crust with tender baked apples infused with the tart flavor of cranberries.
With this recipe you will have a beautiful fruit-filled pastry in two hours.
19. Creme au Caramel
There are no garnishes needed here. Just set out your most beautiful plate for this lovely dessert called creme au caramel.
This sweet dish features a custard base with a soft caramelized top.
Once baked it is served upside down to expose its signature caramel syrup until it turns into a pool of tasty dark orange confectionery.
Creme caramel is also a great make-ahead recipe that you can create one day in advance.
Serve it at dinner parties to impress guests or keep it in your personal sweet stash.
I will not tell anyone. I promise.
20. Financiers
Financiers are one of the staples of fine pastry in France. For an exquisite and impressive dessert these mini almond cakes will not disappoint.
This dish dates back to the 19th century and was initially made by nuns in the middle ages.
History also says that these gold bar-shaped tea cakes were sold near the Paris stock exchange.
Financiers have the texture of a sponge cake but with a hint of almond and caramelized butter.
Light and dainty and neat to eat these cakes are an excellent pair for your afternoon tea.
Add a dollop of whip cream to make the cakes more appealing to kids.
21. Flaugnarde
Flaugnarde is a variant of the fruit-filled clafoutis made with Limousin black cherries and apples and pears.
You can also add some prunes and plums or other fruits that you love.
Flaugnarde also looks like a large pancake dusted with confectioner’s sugar only tastier because of its combined tropical flavors.
22. Meringue Kisses
Meringue kisses are nothing short of magic. They are sweet with a melt-in-your-mouth texture thanks to the marshmallow-like inside.
You only need two ingredients which are egg whites and refined sugar. You will need three if you want to add food coloring.
Make them your go-to festive dessert by coloring them green and red for Christmas or pink and yellow for Easter.
23. Palets de Dames
Palets de Dames is a specialty of northern France and is easy to spot in French bakeries.
Similar to madeleines they have a cake-like texture even though they are cookies.
These sweet little buttery baked goods are often topped with a sugar glaze.
If you want to take it up a notch cover them with apricot jam or throw some rum or aniseed into the mix.
24. Kir Royale
Kir Royale is a French cocktail that combines champagne and creme de cassis which is black currant liqueur. It is the perfect drink to kick off a late-night dinner party.
The black currant works its magic by adding a fruity depth to the cocktail through its delicious berry flavor.
The best part is that it is a fool-proof recipe. Just place the creme de cassis at the bottom of the flute and top with champagne and voila.
You can raise your glass and have a toast.
25. French Lemon Tart
A home that is filled with the aroma of sharp zesty lemon filling is what you will get and more with this lemon tart recipe.
This luscious dessert looks unassuming but every bite is a crusty and creamy delight.
It is a tangy dessert you will want to try when taking a break from chocolatey goodness.
