Unconventional French sweets

This article is in English. Click here to read it in French.

If you’ve ever succumbed to French sweets and you love the great classics, now is the time to discover some new original cakes that will delight your eyes and your tastebuds.

French desserts are known around the world for their flavour and finesse. Several great pastry chefs, well renowned themselves, have nevertheless had the audacity to revisit certain classics with a novel approach. Are they always successful?

An incontestable French specialty: the éclair

Chocolate or coffee flavoured, the éclair holds the taste of childhood, full of fond memories. But if you thought you were familiar with the taste, pastry chef Christophe Adam has come along to reinvent it, thanks to some surprising flavourings.

Situated in the French capital, right in the heart of the Marais quarter, ‘L’éclair de génie‘ offers up the famous dessert in innovative flavours such as salted caramel or pistachio-orange. You’ll also admire the pretty decorations they come dressed in.

The Profiterole or the ‘dandy français’

An unassuming appearance, the profiterole is characterised by its dainty choux pastry and the sweetness of its cream filling. The impossible was realised by Lauren Koumetz, owner of the cake shop Popelini who intelligently revisited the profiterole.

All that is left for you is to make the tough decision between lemon, rose-raspberry, praline… These are a deliciously presented, exquisite French dessert that will certainly leave you wanting more.

From macarons to rum babas, the French must-haves

Internationally recognised, pastry chef Pierre Hermé has nothing left to prove in regards to his talent. His famous macarons have already seduced many an epicure, and each visit to one of his boutiques reveals an original and limited edition creation.

At the moment it’s the rum baba’s turn to put on a show, with six exclusive flavours to try while they last, like, for example, the ‘very vanilla’ or the ‘completely chocolate’.

 The not-so-classic French tart

We like it sensible, dressed in fresh fruits, or more indulgent, generous and melting. To our delight, Laurent Duchêne, elected Meilleur Ouvrier de France, hasn’t skimped on good ingredients. Chocolate praline, lemon, orange or even chocolate caramel are some of the flavours that will make you swoon. His two cake shops, located in the 15th and 13th arrondissements of Paris have a range of other sweet treats on offer, all of them just as tempting and unique.

All this talk of food has probably awakened in you an uncontrollable urge to taste these delicacies. Give yourself a guiltless pleasure and share some of these revisited classics among friends– they will surprise many.

What is your favourite French dessert?