France is the perfect country to visit to expand your sweet palette. Because the French people take such pride in their pastries, they have refined the same dishes over and over again, spanning countless generations. You may have heard some classic dishes such as macarons, pain au chocolat or crèpes or the most sophisticated dishes such as crème brulee, chocolate soufflé, or tarte tatin. But this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Everyone deserves a cake on their birthday. This was the first year I bought my own birthday cake, and also the first year I had it custom-ordered from a bakery. When you live in a country known for its sweets, you go big or go home! I ordered a sponge cake for ten people, with strawberry filling and coconut shavings. I had no idea what it would look like or taste like, but I have to say that it exceeded my expectations. The French people have a range of different cakes that seem intimidating and sophisticated to create but are actually very simple to make.
Tasting the cake, or gâteau, was like a dream. It was a blend of flavors that danced elegantly in my mouth. The cake itself was beautiful but also very delicate. What really made the moment so wonderful was the scenery. I decided to share my cake with my American friends next to Hôtel de Ville (town hall).
