Being that it is the first day of Spring, I know I’m getting a little ahead of myself by making decorated pumpkins but I just couldn’t wait another 6 months to sculpt these.
Bouchon Bakery Cookbook: Decorated Pumpkin Muffins
Bouchon Bakery Cookbook: Pistachio and Traditional Madeleines
The madeleine’s adorable shell shape somehow lures me to take a bite every time I see the petite French cake, only to be disappointed by it’s dryness. The one version I do like comes from Ble Sucre in Paris but there is a ton of butter and it’s coated in a glaze. Traditionally the cake’s only addition, if any is a dusting of powdered sugar. I’ve experimented with a couple madeleine recipes in the past but after my attempt this week, I will definitely be making them much more.
Bouchon Bakery Cookbook: Raspberry Macarons
Valentine’s week I attempted the Bouchon Bakery macarons, twice. I didn’t get them quite right and not because of the recipe. It is a solid one and I plan to use it in the future but I need to experiment with placement in the oven so they bake properly. In this post I go into detail on the process. The filling is a raspberry buttercream that I made by flavoring a French buttercream with seedless raspberry jam.
Afternoon Tea in Paris: Laduree
This post is one of many documenting my week in Paris, a present to myself after graduating pastry school in 2012.
I always say Laduree is the Tiffany’s of sweets. Walking out of the shop with a pastel green bag is chic and tres Parisian. The interior is truly opulent with crystal chandeliers and wall paintings inspired by the Sistine Chapel and nearby Opera Garnier. Everything is gilded in gold, from the porcelain china for tea to the macaron boxes; I’ve saved them because they are so beautiful. I typically stop by to buy macarons and leave, but on my latest trip, I decided this was a fitting spot to celebrate graduating from pastry school. My final project was a pastry assortment inspired by the ones at Laduree.
Three of the Laduree locations in Paris have tea salons: Champs-Elysees, Rue Bonaparte and Rue Royale. The latter is the oldest and I wanted to be at the original establishment, so allons-y! Off to Rue Royale for tea!