paris brest

Paris-Brest: A French Pastry Classic Worth Every Bite

The Paris-Brest is a legendary French dessert created in 1910 to celebrate the famous bicycle race between Paris and Brest. Shaped like a wheel, this delicate pastry is made from crisp choux pastry filled with a rich praline cream, combining textures of crunch, silkiness, and nutty sweetness. It’s a dessert that looks as impressive as it tastes — and while it may seem intricate, each step is quite approachable once broken down.

Let’s dive into how to make this French classic at home, step by step.

🧁 Ingredients

For the Choux Pastry (Pâte à Choux):

• 1 cup (240 ml) water
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs

For the Praline Cream Filling:

• 1 cup (250 ml) whole milk
• 3 large egg yolks
• ¼ cup (50 g) sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120 g) praline paste (hazelnut or almond)
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened

For Topping:

• ¼ cup sliced almonds
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

🧑‍🍳 Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Make the Choux Pastry

1. Boil the liquids:
   In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat until the butter fully melts.
2. Add the flour:
   Once boiling, add the flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan — this takes about 2 minutes.
3. Dry the dough:
   Continue cooking the dough over low heat for another minute to remove excess moisture.
4. Incorporate the eggs:
   Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for 5 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until the dough becomes smooth and glossy.

Step 2: Shape and Bake

1. Prepare the baking tray:
   Draw a 7-inch circle on parchment paper, then flip it over. Pipe a ring of choux dough along the circle, then another inside it, touching the first. Pipe a third ring on top to form a thick wheel shape.
2. Add almonds:
   Sprinkle sliced almonds over the top for added crunch and decoration.
3. Bake:
   Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 35–40 minutes or until golden brown and puffed. Do not open the oven during baking.
4. Cool completely:
   Once baked, pierce the ring in a few spots with a skewer to release steam and let cool on a wire rack.

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