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What is it about France that makes us all a little weak in the knees? Is it the romance? The historic sites? Or the abundance of wine and cheese? For me, it’s a little bit of all three, but even more so, it might be the desserts. The French absolutely have a way with butter and sugar, whether it’s in the form of perfectly formed pastries or rustic tarts. You don’t have to hop on a flight to get a taste of them, though. Here are 25 of our very best French treats, both tried and true and with a twist.
Cakes, Pastries, and More
A humble cake is always a reliable dessert, but don’t hesitate to go beyond them by making an eggy clafoutis or paper-thin crêpes.
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Yogurt CakeThis pantry cake is ridiculously moist, thanks to the addition of yogurt, and just as good for dessert as it is breakfast.
Go to Recipe 3 / 7
EclairsDon't be intimidated by making your own eclairs. This step-by-step guide will lead you towards pastry success.
Go to Recipe 5 / 7
Fruit ClafoutisA clafoutis falls somewhere between a cake, a giant pancake, and a custard. No matter what, though, it's eggy and oh-so delicious.
Go to Recipe 7 / 7
CrêpesThere's no wrong way to serve crêpes: Slather them with Nutella, top them with fresh fruit, or just serve them with a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkling of powdered sugar.
Go to Recipe Fast and Fancy Tarts
Tarts are oh-so French because they make use of seasonal fruit, are always full of butter, and come together without fuss.
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Free-Form Apple TartWhile the recipe calls for making your own tart crust, you can definitely take the easy way out and swap in store-bought puff pastry or pie dough that's been thawed.
Go to Recipe 2 / 6
Tarte TatinThis classic upside-down apple tart might look tricky to nail, but it's actually quite simple. Just don't forget to serve it with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Go to Recipe 4 / 6
Fruit GaletteThis stunning fruit and pastry dessert happens to be way easier to make than pie, and it works with just about any type of fruit.
Go to Recipe 5 / 6
Pâte Sablée for Classic TartsHow about making your own tart shell?! Pâte sablée is a tender crust that's more snappy and cookie-like than flaky pie crust. Once baked, you can fill this tart shell with whatever you'd like! Pastry cream and fresh fruit, chocolate mousse or pudding, or even lemon curd are all great options.
Go to Recipe Creamy Custards
Crème brûlée might just be one of the most popular and well-known French desserts, but it’s worth getting to know pot de crème, too, which is the most luxe pudding around.
5 / 5
Chocolate SouffléDon't worry too much if your soufflé sinks a bit out of the oven — you'll be topping it with whipped cream or ice cream anyway.
Go to Recipe A Few Favorite Cookies
There are a handful of classic French cookies to know and love: meringues, macarons, and palmiers all make the cut. All are the perfect treat for dessert, but are also ideal with your mid-afternoon cup of coffee.
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MeringuesWith a crisp outer shell, slightly chewy center, and a subtle sweetness, baked meringue is a melt-in-your-mouth delight.
Go to Recipe 2 / 6
PalmiersAll you need is store-bought puff pastry and sugar to make these crunchy, buttery cookies.
Go to Recipe 
