9 Delicious French Pastries That Aren’t Croissants!

By Marie-Antoinette Issa.

Croissants may reign as King (or Queen - after all, one of the world’s most famous lived there) of French pastries. However, there are a host of lesser-known, though no less delicious treats, that prove that there is so much more to the patisseries of Paris than buttery, crescent-shaped bites. 

From elegant éclairs to charming chouquettes, each of these delicious French pastries delivers a unique taste of the country’s culture and culinary artistry and not a single one of them is a croissant! 

 

While not quite a croissant, the pain au chocolat comes close to the top when one considers the most iconic pastries of Paris. Picture a buttery puff pastry wrapped around a stick of rich chocolate and you would be justified in scratching your head and wondering how the old adage ‘French Women Don’t Get Fat’ could possibly be true! 

 

The name of this dish translates to ‘thousand leaves’ or ‘thousand sheets’. A title that perfectly describes the characteristic layer upon layer of delicate puff pastry sandwiched between rich vanilla custard and topped with a crisp, caramelised sugar glaze. While it may be made with what feels like a million layers, this French masterpiece can be summed up in one word: delicieux!

Renowned patisseries such as Laduree and Pierre Herme were among the early establishments that helped elevate the macaron's status as a sophisticated and elegant treat, but its placement in iconic moments in pop culture (such as MasterChef) has helped secure its position there more permanently.

 

Today, this colourful, almond-based confection - that typically comes in myriad flavours like pistachio, raspberry and lavender - continues to be one of the most popular options at any good French patisserie. 

Chouquettes, delicate puffs of choux pastry adorned with crunchy pearl sugars, offer a delightful contrast of textures with each bite. Their small size and simplicity belie their addictive quality making them a cherished indulgence in French patisseries and homes alike.

 

Based on the diminutive physique of the models that saunter down their catwalks during Paris Fashion Week, France has a long love affair with all things slender and the slim pastry that is the éclair is no exception! Filled with silky crème patisserie and topped with glossy chocolate icing, it may not be a staple in the diet of catwalk queens, but should you ever find yourself strolling along the Champs-Élysees, we suggest stopping for this treat. What it lacks in designer, it makes up in deliciousness!

 

Bordeaux may be renowned for its wines, but the region is also brilliant at baked goods, specifically the cannele - a small pastry with a soft custard centre and a caramelised crust. Shaped like a fluted cylinder, these treats are traditionally complemented with a cup of creamy milk coffee to deliver a quintessential French café experience - anywhere they are enjoyed. 

Spelling aside, baking and biking do not typically have much in common - unless it is the Paris-Brest, a pastry inspired by the Paris-Brest bicycle. Created in 1910 by Pastry Chef Louis Durand, this dessert features a ring of choux pastry filled with praline-flavoured cream and sprinkled with sliced almonds. Its circular shape represents the wheel of a bicycle, making it a whimsical homage to French sporting culture and culinary innovation.

From the coastal region of Brittany comes the kouign-amann, a pastry that translates to ‘butter cake’ in Breton. This indulgent delight features layers of buttery, caramelised dough that are crisp on the outside, yet tender and flaky on the inside. The secret to its irresistible texture lies in the careful folding and layering of butter and sugar - a testament to Breton craftsmanship and culinary artistry.

Finally, the fraisier offers a ‘berry’ sweet introduction to French pastries. This elegant dessert showcases layers of sponge cake filled with fresh strawberries and a light, mousseline cream, before being topped with marzipan or almond paste and adorned with additional strawberries. This ensures it remains a particularly popular option for enjoying this seasonal Summer fruit, French style!