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My Tarts & Tartelettes

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Inspired by a creation from French pastry chef Jeffrey Cagnes, the Peach Tart “Royale” is a dessert that plays with perception. At first glance, it resembles a classic Tarte Tatin with its glossy, caramelized-looking fruit dome. However, unlike the traditional upside-down apple tart, this is a modern, structured entremet-tart hybrid. The “dome” is actually a layer of tender peaches (or nectarines) cooked in vanilla syrup, set in a fruit puree jelly, and glazed to perfection.…

✨ A Floral Masterpiece: A stunning tart featuring a crisp almond crust, a baked frangipane heart studded with berries, a zesty lemon confit layer, and a crown of whipped berry ganache piped to resemble a blooming chrysanthemum. This recipe by Maren Lubbe is a work of art that tastes as good as it looks. The “Flower Look” is achieved by piping the whipped ganache in a specific pattern, creating a dessert that looks like a…

✨ A Northern French Tradition: A comforting, rustic dessert featuring a pillowy brioche crust filled with a rich, vanilla-infused custard. The “Tarte au Libouli,” also known as Tarte à gros bords (Thick-Edged Tart) or Tarte au Papin, is a beloved specialty from the North of France (specifically the Boulonnais region). “Libouli” means “boiled milk” in the local dialect (ch’ti). Historically, the thick brioche edges were created to prevent the generous custard filling from spilling over…

✨ A French Pastry Classic: A crisp sweet pastry shell filled with a tangy, velvety lemon cream and topped with a cloud of light Italian meringue. This tart is a staple of French patisserie for a reason. It strikes the perfect balance between the sharp acidity of fresh lemons and the sweet, marshmallow-like texture of Italian meringue. In this version, the chef uses a fluted tart ring for an elegant finish. The structure is built…

✨ A Royal Twist: A luxurious variation of the French Epiphany classic, featuring a melt-in-your-mouth hazelnut cream dotted with chunks of rich Gianduja chocolate. The Galette des Rois (King Cake) is a serious tradition in France, celebrated throughout January. While the classic version is filled with almond frangipane, this recipe from Les Yeux Grognons elevates the experience by swapping the traditional filling for a decadent Hazelnut and Gianduja Cream. Gianduja is an Italian treasure—a smooth…

✨ The Spirit of the South of France: A pillow-soft brioche infused with orange blossom, filled with a light diplomat cream and topped with crunchy pearl sugar. “La Tropézienne” is not just a cake; it is a legend born in the 1950s in the coastal village of Saint-Tropez. Legend has it that the famous actress Brigitte Bardot named it herself while filming there. This dessert is deceptively simple; it consists of a tender brioche disc,…

✨ A Trinity of Luxury: A perfect balance between the tang of rhubarb, the sweetness of strawberries, and the richness of pistachio. This tart is a true celebration of spring, bringing together contrasting flavors that harmonize beautifully. At the base, we have the crisp Pâte Sucrée, topped with a rich layer of Pistachio Almond Cream that is baked until tender and fragrant. Hidden in the heart of the tart is a concentrated Strawberry Rhubarb Compote,…

✨ Springtime Freshness: A quick recipe combining the crunch of a buttery “Sablé Breton” with the softness of vanilla cream. This tart is the ultimate solution for anyone looking for a luxurious dessert with minimal effort and record time (less than an hour!). Instead of a traditional tart shell that requires resting and complex lining (fonçage), we use a “Sablé Breton” base here. This famous French shortbread from Brittany is characterized by its friable texture…

✨ The Epitome of French Elegance: A timeless classic balancing a crisp buttery crust, a velvety almond heart, and the vibrant freshness of raspberries. The Raspberry Tart is an icon of French pâtisserie that never goes out of style. It is the definition of “simple sophistication”—appearing effortless on the surface, yet relying on the perfect execution of four distinct layers. The journey begins with the Pâte Sucrée (Sweet Shortcrust Pastry), a rich, butter-laden base that…

Welcome to the definitive guide for creating the most exquisite French Rhubarb Tart, a dessert that perfectly embodies the essence of spring baking. As the seasons change and the vibrant pink stalks of rhubarb appear in the markets, there is no better way to celebrate than by crafting a gourmet pastry that rivals those found in the finest Parisian patisseries. This recipe is not just a dessert; it is a celebration of textures and flavors,…