Easy Recipes for French Desserts

Here you can learn to make delicious and easy French desserts without a lot of fuss. You probably don't have a lot of time to spend making gourmet desserts, but I bet your family likes something sweet at the end of the meal. These dessert recipes are quick and simple.

My First "French" Cake

The first time I made a cake following a French cookbook I ended up with enough dishes to fill my dishwasher. So many bowls and pans - it was amazing! The end result was yummy - Black Forest Cherry Cake (which is actually German, but very popular in France) - but I was a bit dismayed by the effort required to get there. Not only were there numerous dishes and steps involved, I had to change the measurements into something I could understand - give me cups and tablespoons please!

Simplified

So here I've done the measuring for you and also taken care of a few of those dishes. That way you can get to what is more important: enjoying your dessert!

Paris Sweets This is a wonderful cookbook by Doris Greenspan. Not only does it contain clear and precise recipes for many classic French pastries, it also takes you by the hand on a tour of Paris' pastry shops and the culture of French desserts. Although it contains no photos, this book is illustrated with whimsical drawings adding to the delight of a Parisian pastry experience.

Candied Violets
While not a dessert in itself, you might find candied violets used to decorate French cakes or other French desserts. Here you can learn about the history of violets in French cooking and where to buy various violet confections.

Chocolate Mousse Recipe
There are a number of different methods for making chocolate mousse. Here is one of the easiest and ready for dessert tonight.

Chocolate Truffle Recipe
Chocolate truffles are very simple to make. They are a perfect ending to a meal when you are wanting just a little something. They also make nice homemade gifts.

Chocolate Pot de Creme
Petits pots de creme means little pot of cream, and what could be better than the chocolate version. A quick, yet elegant tasting dessert.

Creme Brulee Recipe
Crème Brulée is one of my favorite French desserts. You will love this creamy, crunchy symphony of sensations and the recipe is truly simple.

Creme Caramel Recipe
This is one of the most common French desserts for a reason. It is silky sweet and delicious and very easy to make as well.

Frangipane Pear Tart Recipe
This very simple pear tart features canned pear halves baked on top of a layer of sweetened ground almond paste.

Fruit Tart Recipes
Here are two luscious fruit tarts, one made with cherries and the other with plums. They both also include Kirsch, a cherry flavored brandy.

Grand Marnier Tiramisu
Tiramisu is a fantastically rich and delicious dessert from Italy that is also very popular in France. Here it is made with the famous French liqueur, Grand Marnier, for a chocolate, orange and coffee flavored thrill.

Lemon Tart Recipe
This delicious lemon tart takes only minutes to make. Be sure you allow time for baking and chilling. A favorite dessert of those who like a little sour with their sweet.

Pear Dessert Recipe: Chocolate Pear Tart
Here's another yummy and easy tart. It makes great use of the delicious combination of pears and chococlate.

Popular French pear recipes include Poached Pears
Poaching pears in wine is an easy and low calorie (for once!) French dessert.

Recipe for Baked Apples
This recipe for baked apples is called Pommes Bonne Femme in French. Ever so simple and divine smelling.

Recipe for Bread Pudding
If you have stale French bread, this is a great dessert to make. It features cognac soaked apricots, but you can change it around to accomodate what you have on hand.

Strawberry Mousse Recipe
Try this delicious change from the usual chocolate mousse. Strawberry mousse makes a refreshing and light dessert.

Strawberry Tart Recipe
Here's another French fruit tart recipe - this one with strawberries. You can easily change the strawberries to apricots, peaches or raspberries, if that is what you have on hand.

Sugar Pie Recipe
Tarte au sucre is a recipe from Flanders. It features a sweet yeast dough topped with raw sugar and custard. Perfect for a simple, unpretentious dessert.

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