French month round up 

French month.  A showcase of a variety of desserts distinctive to a handful of regions around France.

It has been a joy to discover, create and enjoy some French regional food influenced by traditions, availability of ingredients and geography for a collection of areas in France.

Here is a wrap up of the French regional recipes I tackled during French month.  Plus, a few other French regional specialties favourites.  I hope you find something here that you like, too.

{ P.S. I have one more French related post this month.  The wedding favours, the French macarons + a few photographs of the big day…..coming soon.}

brittanyfar small{ Far Breton aux Pruneaux }  This custard tarty cake, studded with rum soaked prunes, is a specialty of the Brittany region and a quintessential dessert from this picturesque area of France.  It is creamy, dense and smooth.  { Read more here … }

 

  normandy
brioche small

 { Gingerbread Brioche }  Brioche is a specialty of the Normandy region of France.  This gingerbread brioche is simply perfect with salted butter, or extra special served as French toast. Spicy, light, buttery, rich and soft all wrapped up together.   { Read more here … }

 

alsace and lorrainebaba small{ Baba au rhum } This dessert, introduced into France by way of Alsace-Lorraine, traditionally shaped like a Champagne cork, is a rich, yeast bread, baked in a cylindrical mould.  It is liberally (emphasis on liberally) soaked in a sweet rum syrup.  { Read more here … }

 

 

madeleines small{ Lemon Glazed Madeleines} These fluffy, buttery shell shaped cakes are a tradition from Commercy and Liverdun, in the Lorraine region.  The simplicity and elegance of these little cakes is just so charming.  { Read more here … }

 

 

macarons small{ French Macarons}  The lauded delicate almond cookies, known as the French macaron, originated from Nancy in the Lorraine region.  More recently popularised by boutique Parisian patisseries, they come in an array of flavours and fillings to enjoy any time.  { Read more here … }

 

 

provence apricot small

{ Tarte aux abricots} The sweeping landscapes of Provence, brimming with majestic fields and fruit and nut orchards are the source of this sun-drenched tarte aux abricots.  Moist and tart, the perfect summer afternoon treat.  { Read more here … }

 

calisson small{ Calisson d’Aix}  Calisson d’Aix is a speciality of Aix-en-Provence.  A tiny diamond shaped sweet, made with ground almonds and candied fruits and finished with white royal icing.  They are traditionally served with coffee after dessert.  { Read more here … }

 

 

aquitainecannele small{ Cannelés Bordelais}   A regional specialty of Bordeaux that is the Cannelé.  Fresh out of the oven, these fragrant rum and vanilla infused delicacies boast a crunchy and golden crust that gives way to a dense, yet creamy, custardy centre.  { Read more here … }

 

 

perigordwalnut small{ Gâteau aux noix} Majestic groves of walnut trees are common landscapes that grace the valleys of the Périgord region, in the southwest corner of France.  Walnuts feature strongly in cakes and desserts from this area, and this light, nutty Gâteau is one such example.  { Read more here … }

 

 

Loire Valleytarte small{ Tarte Tatin }  The simplicity of apples, caramel and puff pastry combine to create one of the most recognised desserts around.  Make your own puff pastry or use an all-butter variety to ensure lip smacking flakiness.  { Read more here … }