Fall

Quintessentially French, Madeleines are dainty bite-sized cakes that yields a soft middle, crispy edges, and a distinctive buttery taste. Easy and fun to make at home, they are best known for their shell-like shape and their signature bump at the top. I am sharing my tips (and the bump secret!) to master madeleines at home.

Almond Croissants are a classic French bakery pastry, and a surprisingly easy one to recreate at home as well! Day-old croissants filled with almond cream and topped with syrup and shaved almonds, yields a warm and flaky pastry that’s oozing with big almond flavor. You only need 25 minutes to make these freshly-baked almond croissants, that look and taste worthy of a French bakery!

This Queen of Sheba Chocolate Cake is one of Julia Child’s most famous recipes, and for all the right reasons. It’s a simple cake recipe that yields a rich chocolatey taste with hints of almonds and a thin layer of chocolate buttercream to wow your guests. If you are learning French baking and need a staple dessert up your sleeve, the cake is a must!

A popular Creole dish, this Sausage Rougail is a tasty stew of smoked sausages with fresh ginger, onions, tomatoes, herbs and hot peppers. It yields delicious smokiness combined with spicy flavors, with all the comfort of a warming, saucy dish. A one-pot, easy family meal that’s on the table in 40 minutes, and always pleases!

Here’s to true comfort food with a French Style Macaroni Gratin! This rustic dish features macaroni pasta smothered in a rich cheesy white sauce, blanketed with salty bacon bits, breadcrumbs, an extra helping of cheese, and then baked until bubbly underneath and crispy on top. This easy dish is on the table in about 45 minutes to please the whole family.

This deliciously rustic recipe from Brittany combines staple ingredients from the region: pork, shallots and amber beer. Plump, bone-in pork shanks are slowly braised in amber beer with spices, until fall-off-the-bone tender and incredibly fragrant. This is a robust, hearty dish to comfort the soul during Winter – yet I find it elegant enough to serve for a romantic dinner too. 

If you’re like me, a heartwarming soup made with seasonal vegetables never disappoints over Winter. And from my weekly rotation, this Roasted Carrot Soup has to be one of my favorites. Simple to make and affordable, this soup is creamy, satisfying and boasts delicious sweet flavors from roasted carrots. It’s also a great make-ahead and freezer friendly recipe. The perfect soup to cozy up to on colder days!

Cheesy, crisp, and airy, Gougères are impossible to stop at just one! Originating from Burgundy, these French savory cheese puffs are typically served warm to accompany wine tastings in France – but there’s little wonder as to why they’re so beloved across the country. Served as appetizers or as part of a cheese platter, they are ideal for the Holidays as they’re easy to make and sure to impress your guests.

Brie en Croûte is a festive French appetizer that is simply perfect for entertaining. Made with store-bought puff pastry, it encases a warm and melty whole wheel of brie, that’s then topped with honey, cranberries, nuts and thyme. Serve it on a platter with fruits and crackers, and be sure to impress your guests!  

Known in French as Gâteau Ardéchois, this Chestnut Cream Cake is a rustic recipe originating from the French Ardèche, in Southeastern France. Made with homemade chestnut cream, this simple cake yields an incomparable nutty taste and a wonderfully rich, moist texture from the chestnut spread. This is a home bakers’ favorite, and a great French classic to add to your Winter repertoire.