French Desserts

The word 'dessert' actually comes from the old French 'desservir', which means 'to clear the table', so there's no wonder the best known and most delicious desserts in the world come from France. From rich mousse and charlotte, to juicy tarte tatin and meringue recipes, there is an incredible diversity of French desserts to suit every palate. 

A fine meal is never complete without a sweet, so the French have spent centuries perfecting the art of pastry. Their cakes, tarts and flans are now reputed worldwide, as well as their cheeses which are sometimes served at the end of a meal. The French also love their macaroons which are sold in patisseries in boxes, to give as gifts, and served in fashionable Parisian tea salons.

The recipes featured here showcase some of France's best known desserts, such as tarte tatin or chocolate cake, as well as traditional fruit jams, so typical of French cuisine. To accompany the jams, we've included here a recipe for French bread too.

Recipes: