Ladurée‘s featured pastry for December is “la briochette praliné et or fin” (mini brioche with praliné and gold leaf). This rich and buttery mini “brioche mousseline” is filled with old-fashioned praliné and topped with gold-leaf-covered toasted Piedmont hazelnuts. It is the 12th and final dessert in Ladurée’s series of 150th anniversary pastries. Ladurée was founded … Continue reading A mini brioche for December at Ladurée
The pastry chefs at Angelina, the celebrated Paris tea room once frequented by Coco Chanel and Marcel Proust, have dreamed up a spicy, fruity bûche de Noël in honour of the salon’s Austrian roots. Indeed, Angelina was founded in 1903 by Austrian pastry chef and confectioner Antoine Rumpelmayer (1832-1914). Mr Rumpelmayer came to France in 1870, first setting … Continue reading Angelina: A taste of Austria
Since its launch one year ago, Sébastien Gaudard’s Pâtisserie des Martyrs (9th arr.) has made a name for itself serving up traditional French pastries in its lovely vintage locale. (The store is located in the premises of the former Pâtisserie Seurre, one of the oldest in Paris.) For the Yuletide season, Chef Gaudard, named “Best Pastry Chef … Continue reading Sébastien Gaudard: Inspired by tradition
La Maison du Chocolat has put together a stellar collection of chocolate creations for this year’s holiday season! Created under the direction of chef Nicolas Cloiseau, these festive goodies combine the magic of Christmas with stunning chocolate artistry. From a star-studded chocolate bûche de Noël to fruit- and nut-filled chocolate stars and a striking chocolate Christmas tree, this year’s … Continue reading La Maison du Chocolat: Christmas under the stars
The 11th in Ladurée‘s series of 150th anniversary pastries — one for every month of 2012 — is La Duchesse. This moist cake features walnuts, a light chestnut mousse, bits of glazed chestnuts and a mini meringue. It is is topped with silky milk chocolate fondant and encased in delicate sheets of chocolate. La Duchesse … Continue reading Ladurée’s November pastry: La Duchesse
In the spotlight this month at Ladurée is La Charlotte “Belle Hélène.” This luscious dessert is composed of dainty ladyfingers, yummy pear cream and vanilla mousse, dark chocolate, candied fruit and sliced almonds. The traditional “Charlotte,” which has been around for more than 200 years, is a round cake with a ladyfinger crust filled with fruit and cream. … Continue reading Ladurée: Charlotte Belle Hélène
It’s difficult to improve on something as deliciously smooth and satisfying as the classic chocolate tart. But why not give it a new look? Nicolas Cloiseau, creative director of La Maison du Chocolat, has done just that, giving the traditionally round chocolate tart some sleek new lines. Square or rectangular, the new chocolate tart features … Continue reading The new chocolate tart from La Maison du Chocolat
