Kidding. I should – WILL – stop obsessively eating this beautiful buttery French food for at least two seconds so I can share the delicious, comfort-food wealth with you in its internet form.
I’m not even trying to say that you should fall in love with it as hard and fast as I did, or that every person who reads this blog will like to smother their food in a creamy sauce – I’m just letting you know that, for me, this combination is EVERYTHING.
1. French Apple Cake
In America, we have a habit of piling frosting on our cakes. And look, I love frosting, I really do. As someone who bakes, I know it can totally transform a cake.
But sometimes, there’s just something about a simple, elegant cake. The kind that needs nothing more than a good cup of coffee on the side. This cake is exactly that.
By packing in chunks of apple, the whole thing is loaded with flavor and stays unbelievably moist. No glaze or frosting necessary!
2. Pain au Chocolat (Homemade Chocolate Croissants)
So, you went through the effort of making your own croissant dough. HIGH FIVE. You’re basically a baking rockstar. I absolutely recommend using at least half of that beautiful dough to make pain au chocolat.
Don’t get me wrong, a plain croissant is a buttery, wonderful thing that’s perfect by itself or with a filling. But a pain au chocolat? That’s next-level decadent.
And please, please use the best quality dark chocolate you can get your hands on. The cheaper chocolate just won’t melt right. After all that work, you don’t want to mess it up with sub-par chocolate.
3. Kir and Kir Royale
This is the perfect cocktail for anyone who doesn’t have a full bar setup with blenders and all that fancy equipment. It’s a total winner because it requires no shaking and no wild ingredients.
You can just make it with whatever wine you have on hand. Crème de cassis is such an under-used gem, but it adds a lovely berry flavor that really dresses up a simple glass of wine.
4. Easy Lyonnaise Potatoes Recipe
Another day, another out-of-this-world potato dish! It should come as no surprise that these are made extra indulgent with a generous amount of butter.
For the best results, make these in an oven-proof skillet. That way, all the flavors stay right in the pan, and you can move it from the stovetop to the oven without any fuss.
5. French Beignets (boules de Berlin)
These are going to be so much lighter than any beignets you’ve probably had before. Yes, Cafe du Monde is amazing, and I have definitely enjoyed my fair share of their powdered-sugar-covered beauties.
But these are a little different, and not just because of their round shape. You can eat them with a simple sprinkle of sugar on top, or you can fill them with a silky smooth pastry cream.
6. Gougères (French Cheese Puffs)
If you’ve ever worked with choux pastry, it was probably for something sweet like cream puffs or eclairs. But you have not truly lived until you’ve tried a savory choux pastry.
This recipe has the cheese mixed right into the batter, and it puffs up to create the most delicate little cheesy bites you can imagine. For something truly special, serve them with a bacon, cheddar, and chive cream cheese dip.
7. Chicken Paillard
You’ll start to notice that a lot of French recipes begin the same way: with shallots, garlic, and wine. Hey, if it’s a winning combination, why mess with it?
The simple marinade soaks into the thin chicken in just 15 minutes. When it’s cooked on the BBQ, it gets unbelievably juicy and packed with flavor. Serving it with an arugula salad makes the whole dish really pop.
8. French Cruller Donuts
These donuts are made with choux pastry, which makes them crispy and sweet. Unlike traditional yeast-based doughs, this one doesn’t need any proofing time.
Choux pastry is a bit different since you have to make it in a pot on the stove, and it can take a little practice to get right. But once you nail the technique, you’re on your way to a batch of crisp, glazed donuts that are wonderfully light and airy.
9. Homemade French Fries
French fries are just a thing of beauty. You can go anywhere on earth and find a hot, salty plate of fries to put a smile on your face.
But let’s be real, without a deep fryer, making them at home can sometimes be a little disappointing.
For the absolute best homemade fries, try this trick: soak your peeled and chopped potatoes for a few hours. I’m telling you, you won’t believe the difference it makes.
10. French Green Beans with Shallots
It’s always amazing to me how something as simple as chopped shallots can completely elevate a dish.
Start by cooking the onions until they’re soft, letting all those amazing flavors release into the pan. Then, cook the beans right in there, making sure to coat them with the sweet shallots, salt, and pepper. YUM.
11. Triple-Threat Onion Galette
More times than not, I’ll choose to make a galette instead of a pie. The rustic vibe just works with any filling, and it’s such a time-saver.
If you’re a big fan of French onion soup, then you absolutely have to try this dish. The buttery pastry gets loaded up with onion, garlic, and just a little bit of mustard. It’s so good!
12. Classic Coq Au Vin
I know the name sounds super fancy, which usually means complicated, but honestly, coq au vin is pretty simple to pull off.
You’ll want a good Dutch oven for this chicken stew so you can sear the chicken and then make the stew all in one pot. This trick keeps every last bit of flavor right where it belongs.
The wine and brandy are what give this dish its elevated feel, making the sauce silky smooth and absolutely packed with flavor.
13. Light and Airy Cheese Soufflé
Are you looking for a dish that will really impress your guests? This beautiful, light soufflé is the perfect starter for any meal.
We all know that soufflés can be famously tricky, so make sure you read the instructions carefully and have all your ingredients ready to go before you even start.
14. Croissant Bread Pudding
In my house, having leftover croissants just isn’t a normal thing. They disappear fast, and I’m lucky if I get even one! But once in a while, we do have some leftovers.
I’ve even bought day-old croissants on sale just for this. Stale croissants might not be great on their own, but they are a fantastic base for bread pudding. All that extra butter makes the custard so rich, and the top gets perfectly crispy while it bakes.
15. French Crepes Recipe
I’m almost positive that crepes came from Brittany, France, and they are definitely one of the most famous French recipes out there. You can make these thin pancakes sweet or savory, and fill them with anything from Nutella to ham and cheese.
When you’re mixing in the flour, be gentle, and then make sure to let the batter rest for at least 10 minutes before you start cooking. The real secret is to make your crepes super thin, cooking them for only about 30 seconds on each side.
16. Easy Quiche Recipe
Quiche is such a fantastic dish. You can serve it all by itself for a simple, tasty, and light meal. Or, you can make it more substantial with a side salad or some potatoes. Plus, it’s delicious whether you eat it hot or cold.
To get that truly French feel, make sure you use smoked ham and Gruyère cheese.
17. French Macarons Recipe
I am a much bigger fan of the French method for making macarons. You don’t have to worry about boiling sugar syrup! That said, I’m sure you’ve heard that they can be a bit of a challenge to get right.
But honestly, with a little bit of practice, you’ll be a pro before you know it! And trust me, it’s so worth the effort.
18. Mushroom Galette Recipe
I just love how the French eat bread and pastries every single day without apology. We should all be able to enjoy our food without feeling guilty, don’t you think?
It’s simple recipes like this one that let you enjoy the amazing flavors of a buttery pastry while still getting a good serving of veggies. Mushrooms bring such an earthy flavor, and the cheese only makes them better!
19. Financiers
If there’s one thing the French totally nail (and let’s be real, there are many), it’s their pastries and cakes. Financiers are these small, light, and buttery almond cakes that are just perfect for a morning snack or an afternoon tea.
Just remember to only whip the egg whites until they form soft peaks, and then gently fold in the dry ingredients until everything is just barely combined. These turn out best when you bake them in small molds instead of as one big cake.
20. Brioche Bread
What’s the secret that makes brioche so special? It’s all that butter! This enriched dough doesn’t just taste richer; it looks better, too. That beautiful golden color is so distinctly
French, and you can use this bread for anything from burger buns to sweet doughs.
21. French Ratatouille Recipe
This classic dish is brimming with veggies and is hearty enough to be served with just some good bread or a scoop of rice. It also works as a colorful side dish for fish, chicken, beef, or pork.
I’m a huge fan of the classic version with eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes, but you can definitely switch up the veggies based on what you like.
22. French Potato Salad
We all love a good potato salad, right? But I often find myself hesitating because I know just how much mayonnaise usually goes into it.
This recipe is completely mayo-free but is still just as packed with flavor. The mix of Dijon dressing and a selection of fresh herbs is all you need to create a lighter take on a BBQ favorite.
23. French Hot Chocolate
As you can probably guess, French hot chocolate is way more indulgent than the regular kind.
Instead of a kind of weak mug of warm, powdered chocolate and sugar, this is a heavenly mix that’s more like drinking chocolate ganache from a cup.
Actually, that’s pretty much exactly what it is. This recipe is creamy, thick, and totally sinful, made with milk, cream, and a whole lot of real chocolate. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart!