What Does Paris-Brest Taste Like?

Paris-Brest is a classic French pastry that originated in 1910 to commemorate the Paris-Brest-Paris bicycle race. This dessert is made with choux pastry, praline cream, and topped with sliced almonds.

But what does Paris-Brest really taste like? Let’s break it down.

Choux Pastry: The choux pastry used in Paris-Brest has a crisp exterior and a light, airy interior. It’s slightly sweet and has a delicate eggy flavor. When baked, it puffs up to form a hollow shell that is perfect for filling with creamy goodness.

Praline Cream: Praline cream is made by blending praline paste with whipped cream or pastry cream. Praline paste is made by caramelizing sugar and hazelnuts, then grinding them into a fine powder.

The resulting flavor is nutty, sweet, and slightly caramelized. When combined with the creamy texture of whipped cream or pastry cream, it creates a rich and decadent filling for the choux shells.

Sliced Almonds: Sliced almonds are used to top the Paris-Brest pastry. They add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor that complements the praline cream perfectly.

Overall, Paris-Brest tastes like a heavenly combination of sweet, nutty flavors and textures. The choux pastry provides the perfect vessel for the creamy praline filling, while the sliced almonds add an extra layer of crunchiness. Each bite is light yet satisfyingly rich – making it easy to understand why this dessert has become such an iconic French classic.

How to Make Your Own Paris-Brest

If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try making your own Paris-Brest at home, here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup praline paste (you can find this at specialty food stores or make your own)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• Sliced almonds, for topping

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Add flour all at once and stir vigorously until the mixture forms a ball.
2. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
3. Spoon the choux pastry into a piping bag fitted with a round tip.

   Pipe the pastry into circles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in preheated oven at 375°F for about 25 minutes or until golden brown.

4. In a mixing bowl, whip heavy cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold in praline paste.
5. Cut cooled choux pastry circles in half horizontally. Fill the bottom halves with praline cream using a piping bag or spoon. Replace top halves of choux shells and sprinkle with sliced almonds to finish.

Now that you know what Paris-Brest tastes like and how to make it, you can enjoy this classic French dessert anytime you like!