Baked French Dessert Recipes

To add a little class to any dinner or coffee break, all you need is a few French dessert recipes.

The Pursuit of Perfection

The French did not invent cooking, but they did invent some of the most spectacular and divine recipes for food that can be found. When it comes time for dessert, the French pursuit of perfection is boundless. From the simplest, lightest cakes to the most elaborate edible centerpieces, French desserts are legendary and rightly so. But does this mean that French dessert recipes are out of the reach to the average home cook? The answer is no. If you can make a cookie, you can make a Madeleine. If you can make a pie, you can make a Clafouti.

French Dessert Recipes

These French dessert recipes are a good entry point to the world of making French deserts. They are easy and will impress your guests.

The Most Perfect Cookie

Legend has it that in 1909, Marcel Proust bit into a Madeleine and his mind was flooded with memories of his childhood. Inspired by this experience, he started his famous seven-volume novel Remembrance of Things Past.

In order to make these delightful little cakes, you will need a Madeleine pan. A Madeleine pan is a shallow pan with shell shaped molds. You can find them at any baking and cooking supply store and also online. I have seen them made out of cast iron, non-stick aluminum, and even flexible silicone. I would suggest that you use the non-stick version if you can because it makes removing the Madeleines easier.

Madeleines

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup of butter
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup of shifted confectioner's sugar
• 2 teaspoons of finely grated lemon zest
• 1 cup of sifted flour
• ½ teaspoon of baking powder
• Sugar to garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Grease and flour your Madeleine pan or, if using a non-stick pan, give it a good spray with non-stick spray.
3. Melt butter and then let cool to room temperature.
4. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, adding the confectioner's sugar slowly.
5. Continue beating until the mixture is thick and pale.
6. Add the lemon rind.
7. Sift the flour with the baking powder.
8. Gently fold the flour mixture into the eggs.
9. Add the melted butter and mix well.
10. Using a spoon, fill the molds 2/3 of the way full.
11. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
12. Remove from the mold and let cool on a wire rack. Sprinkle with sugar before the Madeleines cool.

Clafouti

Clafouti is a custard-like baked dessert made by baking fruit, usually cherries, in a batter. This batter is very much like a crepe batter, so you can mix all the ingredients in a blender, which makes the mixing easier.

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups milk
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• ½ cup of flour
• 3 cups of fresh cherries pitted
• 1/3 cup of sugar (for sprinkling on the cherries)
• Powdered sugar (for garnish)

Instructions

1. You can use a blender or a whisk to mix the ingredients. I like to use a blender but, if you do, be sure to let the batter rest for an hour in the refrigerator before pouring it into the baking dish.
2. Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.
3. Mix together the milk, first measure of sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
4. Add the salt and flour and mix until well combined.
5. Pour ¼ of the batter into an 8-cup oven-safe baking dish or 9x9 baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.
6. Bake for 3-5 minutes until a light film develops on the batter.
7. Remove from the oven and spread the cherries over the batter.
8. Sprinkle the second measure of sugar over the cherries.
9. Pour the rest of the batter over the cherries.
10. Bake for 45 minutes.
11. It is done when the batter is puffy and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
12. Dust with confectioner's sugar before serving.