Crème caramel

This popular dessert consists of a custard base and a soft caramel topping. The origins of crème caramel are unclear and disputed – the French, the English, and the Spanish all claim to be the original inventors of the dish. Although the name is French, some say that the French adopted it from English custard. …

Gratin dauphinois

Traditionally consumed by peasants in the historic Dauphiné region in France, gratin dauphinois is a savory dish consisting of thinly sliced potatoes, crème fraîche, and butter baked in a shallow earthenware cooking vessel. The dish can be eaten on its own, preferably with a salad on the side, or as an accompaniment to fish or …

Bûche de Noël

This elaborately decorated, rolled, and filled sponge cake is frosted with chocolate buttercream made to look like a tree bark. Some of the decorations might include marzipan sticks, sugar cobwebs, and meringue mushrooms. The origins of the cake can be traced back to the old Celtic tradition of celebrating the winter solstice, the shortest day …

Dacquoise

Both crispy and creamy in texture, this French cake is traditionally made with almond or hazelnut meringue sponge cake separated with layers of whipped cream or buttercream. The cake takes its name from the French word dacquois, meaning from Dax, referring to a town located in southwestern France, but the term dacquoise itself has come to signify …

Chouquette

Amazingly tender and extremely light, chouquettes are airy pâte à choux pastry puffs studded with the so-called sucre perlé (lit. pearl sugar); coarse sugar crystals which hold both their shape and crunch when baked.   Chouquettes are basically profiterole shells and fall into the category of viennoiseries or, more precisely, pâtisseries viennoises. These Viennese-style baked goods are found in bakery shops throughout …

Sauce tartare

Sauce tartare is a mayonnaise-based sauce that most likely originated in France. The creamy base is traditionally made with mayonnaise, though some variations occasionally may opt for crème fraiche, while the optional additions usually include spices and mostly chopped parsley, chervil, tarragon, capers, and pickles.   Optionally, boiled egg yolks can also be added. Although …

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Drizzle

Easy Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies drizzled with chocolate for the perfect bite. Hands down the best peanut butter cookie recipe ever, they are soft, pillowy and taste just like the classic cookie you love! Looking for more Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes? You need to try my Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies or my No …

Vegan Chocolate Cake Recipe with Peppermint Buttercream

This rich Vegan Chocolate Cake is layered with creamy Peppermint Buttercream and finished with a chocolate ganache. An easy recipe for extremely decadent and perfectly moist chocolate cake that you’ll swoon over! I guarantee this will be your new go to chocolate cake recipe! Looking for more Chocolate Desserts? You’ll love my Gluten Free Peppermint …

Best Spinach Salad with Apple, Pecans and Gorgonzola Cheese

This is the best Spinach Salad recipe with apples, candied pecans, pomegranate and gorgonzola cheese! It’s drizzled with a champagne vinaigrette, making it fancy enough to serve as a holiday side dish. Plus it only takes 5 minutes to make! Looking for more salad recipe ideas? A few other must try salads are my Avocado …

Maple Dijon Roasted Butternut Squash & Brussel Sprouts

This easy salad is made with roasted butternut squash and brussel sprouts. It’s finished with a maple dijon glaze, pecans and cranberries, all of which add incredible flavor and texture. This is the perfect holiday side dish idea for Thanksgiving or Christmas! Alright, brace yourself we are officially into the good part of this holiday …