From croissants to crème brûlée and from choux pastry to sweet shortcrust pastry, from buttery masterpieces to custard-filled delights, these French classics have elevated culinary creations to a sublime art form.
Here’s a curated list of the best French pastry recipes and common French dessert recipes that you’ll want to try, at least once in your life!
Classic French pastries (pâtisserie) and variations
Elegant, fancy, decadent, dreamy, simple… these are all words used to describe classic French pastries. They are also widely known and popular around the world. As fanciful as they may seem, they are also very easy to make (with a few exceptions, of course!). These comprehensive, step by step recipes will show you how to make the BEST French pastries in your own kitchen!
1. Choux pastry
2. Chocolate choux pastry
3. Cream puffs
4. Éclairs
5. Paris-Brest
6. Choux au craquelin
7. Chouquettes
8. Profiteroles
9. Chicken puffs or chicken bouchees (Savory French pastries)
Viennoiseries and variations
Probably the most famous type of French pastry, due in large part to the ever-popular croissant. The term viennoiserie refers to pastries made in the style of Vienna, Austria. Their history traces back to an Austrian military official and entrepreneur, August Zang, who introduced this pastry to France when he opened a pastry shop called Boulangerie Viennoise in Paris, in 1839. Viennoiserie is often recognized as sort of a cross between pastry, bread, and cake. A classic example being brioche. It usually employs a yeast-leavened dough to achieve volume and flakiness.
10. Croissants
11. Brioche
12. Bostock
13. Brioche custard tarts
14. Puff pastry (pâte feuilletée)
15. Palmiers
Classic French desserts
Experience the culinary wonders of France with this assortment of iconic French desserts. While French pastries can be a little finicky to make at times, these classic French desserts are comparatively easier but just as decadent!
16. Crème brûlée
17. Chocolate mousse
18. Chocolate truffles
19. Crème caramel
20. Bûche de Noël (Yule log)
21. Molten lava cake (Chocolate fondant)
22. Poached pears
23. Praline
24. Madeleines
25. Hot chocolate (chocolat chaud)
Sweet crepes (crêpes sucrées)
Classic French crepes are such a versatile breakfast and brunch recipe. They are super easy to make, and can be paired with sweet or savory fillings.
26. Classic French crepes
27. Chocolate crepes
Galettes
French galettes have a much richer and older history than many other types of pastry. The term “galette” means flat cake, and these are typically flat, round, rustic bakes that can have either sweet or savory fillings. They are easy and adaptable. Simply roll up the pastry, add your topping or filling of choice, and then roughly fold in the edges, and bake.
28. Peach galette
Pâte sucrée (Sweet shortcrust pastry)
Pâte sucrée, which translates to sweet dough, is a flaky, buttery, and sweet shortcrust pastry made with egg yolks, butter, sugar, and flour. It is similar to pâte sablée, but sweeter. This sweet dough is the perfect vehicle for sweet fruit tarts and even as pie crusts.
29. Classic pâte sucrée
30. Strawberry tart
31.Chocolate pâte sucrée
32. Chocolate tart
Custards (pastry creams)
Custard is a thickened base made with dairy, sugar, and eggs. And sometimes cornstarch for additional thickening. They can take the form of cooked custards and baked custards. Or pouring custard (crème anglaise) or pastry cream (crème pâtissière). See this comprehensive post on all the types of custard for a detailed discussion of all the French custards and pastry creams, and their uses.
