Easy & Incredible Tasting Buttery, Flaky Puff Pastry

How many elegant savory and sweet tart recipes have you seen with puff pastry? It produces a cloud-like, buttery, puffy crust used in tarts, strudels, pies, and the list goes on. Puff pastry is incredibly versatile. The traditional, very-time consuming method of making a regular puff pastry requires at least 73 layers (says Julia Child)Continue reading “Easy & Incredible Tasting Buttery, Flaky Puff Pastry”

French Spice Bread: A Happy Blend of Gingerbread & Spice Cake

The French Pain d’Épices is a yeast-free, dense, quick bread that is reminiscent of both gingerbread and spice cake. The words “pain d’épices” are French for “spice bread”, literally translated as, “bread of spices”. What make it unique are the additions of dark rye flour and one cup of honey. My version includes chopped candiedContinue reading “French Spice Bread: A Happy Blend of Gingerbread & Spice Cake”

Authentic French Macarons 3 Ways: Simple, Elegant, & Indulgent

France is a country with many iconic symbols. We all recognize la Tour Eiffel, l’Arc de Triomphe, et les Champs-Elysees. For us francophiles, we appreciate la Marianne (the personification of France), and le Coq (the courageous and combative sport rooster). And who doesn’t know about les baguettes et les croissants! In the early 20th century,Continue reading “Authentic French Macarons 3 Ways: Simple, Elegant, & Indulgent”

How to Make Traditional 4-Ingredient French Baguettes

July is a month for celebrating! Even the Hallmark Channel shows Christmas movies in July… “Christmas in July”! Is that a thing? While Americans celebrate Independence Day on July 4th, the French celebrate their independence on July 14th. Many people from around the world flock to France during July, thanks to the Tour de France.Continue reading “How to Make Traditional 4-Ingredient French Baguettes”