What Are Paris-Brest Made Of?

By Anna Duncan

Are you a fan of French pastries? Then, you must have heard of Paris-Brest.

This delectable pastry dessert is a popular choice among sweet lovers and is known for its unique ring shape. But have you ever wondered what makes this pastry so special? In this article, we will take a closer look at the ingredients that make up Paris-Brest.

Origin of Paris-Brest

Before we dive into the ingredients, let’s take a quick look at the history of Paris-Brest. This pastry was created in 1891 to celebrate the annual bicycle race that took place between the cities of Paris and Brest. The pastry’s circular shape was inspired by the bicycle wheel, and its creamy filling represents the cyclists’ energy-giving food.

Ingredients

Paris-Brest is made up of three main components – choux pastry, praline cream filling, and sliced almonds for decoration.

Choux Pastry

The choux pastry is what gives Paris-Brest its distinct taste and texture. It’s made by cooking flour, butter, salt, sugar, and water together in a pan until it forms a smooth dough.

Eggs are then added to give it an airy texture. The dough is piped into two circles on top of each other to form the wheel-like shape before baking.

Praline Cream Filling

The praline cream filling is what sets Paris-Brest apart from other pastries. It’s made from praline paste mixed with whipped cream and butter to create a light yet creamy texture that complements the choux pastry perfectly.

Praline paste is made from caramelized sugar combined with roasted almonds or hazelnuts until it forms a smooth paste. This gives the cream filling its nutty flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of the choux pastry.

Sliced Almonds

Finally, sliced almonds are added to the top of the pastry as a decoration. The almonds are lightly toasted to bring out their flavor and then sprinkled on top of the pastry. This adds a nice crunch to the pastry and complements the nutty flavor of the praline cream filling.

Conclusion

In summary, Paris-Brest is made up of three essential components – choux pastry, praline cream filling, and sliced almonds. Its unique ring shape and creamy filling make it a popular choice among French pastry lovers.

Now that you know what Paris-Brest is made of, why not try making it yourself at home? With a little bit of practice, you too can create this delicious French treat!