20+ Popular French Pastries and Desserts
1. Kouign-Amann
Kouign-Amann, pronounced ‘queen-ah-mahn’, is a type of laminated dough, closely resembling croissant dough. The preparation is largely identical to croissants, making it easy to double for two distinct treats.
A key distinction involves incorporating sugar during the final rolling and folding step. As it bakes, this sugar caramelizes, creating an impossibly rich, sweet, and wonderfully crispy pastry that I absolutely adore.
2. Crème Brûlée (French Vanilla Custard)
Crème brûlée, pronounced ‘crem-broo-lay’, is an exquisite dessert, far simpler than it appears. It consists of a rich layer of pastry cream or custard, topped with a caramelized sugar crust.
Achieving that signature crack requires a chef’s torch, which I consider essential for authenticity. Served in individual ramekins, it makes a perfect finale to any special dinner, needing only basic ingredients like egg yolks, sugar, and milk.
3. French Pain au Chocolat
Pain au chocolat ranks as one of France’s most recognized pastries, second only to the croissant. This delightful roll uses identical laminated dough, featuring thin layers of pastry and butter.
What sets it apart is a small stick of dark chocolate nestled inside. During baking, the chocolate melts into a rich, gooey center; I find these a favorite for breakfast or a snack.
4. Bouchée à la Reine (Vol-au-Vent)
Bouchée à la Reine, pronounced ‘boo-she-a-la-ren’, is a savory puff pastry dish filled with creamed mushrooms and diced chicken. Crowned with a creamy white sauce, its crunchy, flaky crust and rich filling have earned global popularity.
This impressive dish is a true crowd-pleaser, perfect as either an appetizer or a main course. I find its elegant presentation and satisfying flavors make it a favorite for any gathering.
5. Madeleines
Madeleines are delightful French cakes, perfectly light, buttery, and sweet. These iconic shell-shaped treats are a dessert favorite for many.
Their melt-in-your-mouth texture and golden brown exteriors are simply irresistible, satisfying any taste. I enjoy them with a hot cup of coffee or tea, or as a standalone delicious snack.
6. Gougères (French Cheese Puffs)
Gougères, pronounced ‘goo-zhair’, are savory French cheese puffs made from choux dough. If you’re new to choux pastry, don’t fret; it’s surprisingly straightforward.
You combine boiled water and butter with flour, then gradually incorporate eggs before folding in cheese. Gruyère is the traditional choice, and I recommend baking them until golden for a warm, fresh treat right from the oven.
7. French Cruller Doughnuts
French cruller doughnuts are sweet glazed rings of fried dough, often served with coffee or tea. Their light and airy texture comes from choux pastry, the same used for cream puffs and chouquettes.
The dough is piped into unique strips, then fried to achieve a crisp exterior. I find them to be a delicious choice for breakfast or a snack.
8. French Beignets
French beignets, known as ‘ben-yay’, are distinct from American versions, featuring a round shape. They are just as incredibly soft and pillowy as any I’ve enjoyed.
These delightful donuts require no elaborate fillings or rich frostings. A generous dusting of powdered sugar is all that’s needed to enhance their deliciousness.
9. French Financiers
French financiers, known as ‘fee-non-see-ay’, are small, rectangular teacakes predominantly made from nut flour and browned butter. These delicate treats come in appealing flavors like almond, hazelnut, and pistachio.
I often enjoy them in the morning with coffee or tea, though they’re suitable anytime. Beyond their delicious taste, their gold-bar shape symbolizes prosperity, adding a special meaning to these pastries.
10. Homemade French Croissants
Crafting homemade croissants is a truly time-intensive process, often spanning several days. It involves precise dough preparation, chilling, and multiple ‘turns’ of rolling and folding in butter to create those signature layers.
After shaping, a lengthy rise is essential before baking. While challenging, I believe the resulting flaky, buttery pastries are absolutely worth every moment of effort.
Remember, it’s pronounced “kwah-son,” omitting the ‘R.’
11. Classic French Opera Cake
The classic French opera cake presents a truly sophisticated dessert, built from multiple distinct layers. At its core is a tender, subtly chewy almond sponge, infused with a luxurious coffee syrup.
I love how three delicate sponge layers alternate with rich coffee buttercream. A final touch of dark chocolate ganache crowns the top, creating a beautiful glossy finish.
12. Homemade Chouquettes (French Pastry Sugar Puffs)
Chouquettes, pronounced ‘shoo-ket’, are delightful French pastry sugar puffs, ideal for breakfast or a sweet snack. Crafted from choux pastry, these treats feature a generous dusting of powdered sugar.
I adore their chewy, salty-sweet finish, which is truly unique. They are wonderful on their own or when dipped into warm, melted chocolate for an added indulgence.
13. Crêpe Cake
Elevate simple crêpes by assembling them into a stunning crêpe cake. This dessert features delicate, lightly sweet pancakes layered with whipped cream, offering a light yet satisfying experience.
I appreciate the addition of chocolate ganache on top, which provides a rich, bitter contrast to balance the sweetness. It’s a beloved French dessert, and for a truly showstopping effect, I sometimes add color to the cream for a rainbow presentation.
14. French Macarons
French macarons offer delicate, flavorful cookies ideal for any celebration. These light, airy treats boast vibrant colors, with both the cookie shells and fillings making a visual statement.
Composed of almond flour, sugar, and egg whites, they accommodate various delicious fillings like jams or frostings. Similar to croissants, they can be tricky to master, but I assure you, their exquisite taste makes the effort worthwhile.
15. Pain d’epices – French Spice Bread
Pain d’epices, known as ‘pan-day-peace’, is a traditional sweet bread crafted from flour, honey, and various spices. It boasts a distinctive dense texture and a flavor profile that is both sweet and subtly savory, reminiscent of gingerbread.
I find this bread an excellent complement to cheese platters. It also pairs wonderfully with savory meals like roast pork.
16. Paris-Brest
The Paris-Brest is another delightful choux-based pastry, similar to éclairs and crullers, offering a light and airy texture with a crisp edge. However, unlike éclairs, this treat boasts an abundant filling.
Traditionally, it’s generously piped with rich hazelnut praline paste and a dreamy hazelnut mousse. I always ensure it’s finished with a scattering of flaked almonds for the perfect touch.
17. Brioche Bread
Brioche bread is celebrated for its deliciously soft and subtly sweet flavor. It features a golden, buttery crust that envelops a light and fluffy interior.
The richness comes from the generous amount of added butter, creating an enriched dough that I find surprisingly simple to prepare with a good recipe. This beloved bread is so popular in France that some even prefer it over croissants.
18. Classic French Rum Baba (Baba au Rhum)
French Rum Baba is a cylindrical cake traditionally prepared using brioche dough. The dough undergoes an overnight marinade in a spiced rum syrup, infusing it with incredible flavor.
I find this syrup is often brightened with orange or lemon zest, imparting a truly unique taste to the cake. Its remarkable blend of flavors will captivate your palate from the very first bite.
19. Mille Feuille
Mille feuille, pronounced ‘mil-foy’, showcases delicate layers of puff pastry with a creamy filling. Traditionally, this includes vanilla or chocolate pastry cream, but I enjoy exploring options like whipped or diplomat cream.
A sweet glaze, often prepared from confectioners’ sugar and water, finishes the top. Interestingly, though linked with France, it is thought this pastry first appeared in Italy during the Renaissance era.
20. French Canelé (Cannelé de Bordeaux)
Canelé, pronounced ‘can-a-lay’, is a cherished French pastry from Bordeaux, baked in unique beeswax-lined molds. These cylindrical treats boast stunning caramelized crusts and a tender, custard-like center, thanks to the beeswax.
I find them quite spectacular in both appearance and taste. While they can be somewhat challenging to bake, I assure you, patience and practice will lead to perfect results.
21. Mini French Breakfast Puffs
Mini French breakfast puffs provide a delightful hybrid experience, blending characteristics of muffins, profiteroles, donuts, and churros. Inside, they offer a soft texture, contrasting with their lightly crisp exterior.
A coating of cinnamon sugar adds an extra element of warm, satisfying crunch. I find these delectable morsels pair wonderfully with hot coffee or creamy yogurt for a hearty morning indulgence.
22. Classic French Palmiers
Palmiers, known as ‘pal-me-yay’, are sweet, buttery cookies crafted with only three components. You simply combine cinnamon and sugar, then roll the mixture into puff pastry.
The result is a treat that’s crisp on the exterior and wonderfully light inside. While their signature heart shape is charming, I find them equally delicious when made as simple pinwheels.
23. Classic French Chocolate Éclair
The chocolate éclair is a truly quintessential dessert in French cuisine, one I believe many have encountered. This classic choux pastry is remarkably versatile, much like a macaron.
Traditionally, it features a creamy pastry filling beneath a rich ganache topping, delivering pure dessert perfection. I love how it has evolved globally, now appearing with vibrant glazes and various delicious fillings that I highly recommend trying.