Traditional French Desserts

[SweetSide]

(also posted in the France forum)

My daughter is having a party in her French class at school and I need to prepare a dessert for the class that would traditionally be served in France during the Christmas season. However, the Buche de Noel has already been "taken" by another student, so that one is out.

As for other things, while I can name and prepare a long list of French pastries, I haven't a clue as to what would be most popular during the Christmas season.

Thanks for your suggestions!

[Waterzoy]

You could think about a Galette des Rois, normally served for Epiphany. Have a look at the thread below for more information.

http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=14928&hl=rois

[Tweety69bird]

A Paris-Brest would be a great idea! Your daughter could learn the story behind its creation and tell it to the class too!

Short version of the story - It was a dessert that was created on a train that went from Paris to Brest for some important individuals... royalty maybe, not remembering right now... and the chef came up with this creation and it was named the Paris-Brest because that's where the train was going. I tried to search for a better version of the story and the only thing I came up with is that it was created in honour of the Paris-Brest-Paris race, which is not correct.

Other items are the St. Honoré dessert, Croquembouche or Macarons. Good luck!

[Swisskaese]

You could make Alsatian Schwobe Broedel, which are doughnuts that are baked in the oven.

[ludja]

(also posted in the France forum)

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Here is the thread in the French forum: click

[SweetSide]

Thanks for all your suggestions! It's tough to choose, but in the France forum, the idea of the Galette de Rois (Kings cake) was also mentioned and struck a chord with me. I love the idea of the little feve in the cake for the kids to find. And, it is definately a very seasonal cake.

Funny how we don't celebrate the Epiphany here in the US, but I did make one of these in pastry school and loved it.

Thanks for the other ideas -- if my daughter nixes this one (better not!) at least I have others to choose from.

[markk]

You (and especially the kids in your daughter's French class) should know that a very, very, very French dessert is Pain Perdu , which is nothing more than what we know as French Toast, and although it's served here for breakfast, it's only served in France as a dessert. And at Christmas time, they make it with the flavorings of pain d'epices (spice bread), which is nothing more than those spices sprinkled over it. It's a most traditional, and most delicious dessert, and might also be a great lesson in French culture for the kids:

I've spent many a Christmas season in France! (Although I don't have too many memories of being all too conscious at the end of a French Christmas-Week Dinner, this being a combination of the foods and the wine.)

(The above version was served at the restaurant A l'Arbre Vert, in the village of Ammerschwir, in the Alsace region, where they take Christmas eats especially seriously.)