Carole Dahan of Naples, Florida is the owner of Carole’s House Café and French Bakery. In the following article, Ms. Dahan discusses the art of French baking and its rise to prominence in this country.
For hundreds of years, the French have been renowned for their scrumptious pastries, cakes, breads, and petit fours. Thanks to a focus on quality ingredients and sophisticated techniques, their baked goods accomplish a flair for delicacy and sweetness. As more Americans are exposed to these qualities, French baking is quickly becoming a popular trend in the United States.
Carole Dahan of Naples, Florida explains that as café culture shifts away from the busy aesthetics of on-the-go morning joe and takes on a more relaxed air, many French pâtisserie and viennoiserie are popping up in cities across the nation. Carole Dahan of Naples, Florida takes a moment to talk about why this trend is becoming so popular and explore the many delicious baked goods for sale at French bakeries.
The Rise of French Baking in America
The United States has always had a love affair with sweets. Cakes, cookies, pies, and other desserts have been a part of the American diet since the country’s earliest days. However, in recent years, there has been a shift in the way Americans view baking explains Carole Dahan of Naples, Florida.
No longer is baking seen as a chore or a necessary evil. Instead, it has become an art form. This change in perspective is due in large part to the rise of the foodie culture. In the past, only professional chefs and food connoisseurs were interested in the origins of their food and the methods used to prepare it.
Today, however, thanks to the internet and social media, everyone from stay-at-home moms to office workers are interested in learning about the food they eat. Carole Dahan of Naples, Florida explains that this new level of interest has led to a demand for better-quality baked goods.
No longer are American consumers content with mass-produced, preservative-laden goodies from the supermarket. They want fresh, handmade, artisanal treats that are full of flavor. And that’s where French baking comes in. Carole Dahan of Naples, Florida says that French bakeries are the perfect place to find these kinds of treats.
The Pastries Taking America by Storm
As French baking becomes more popular throughout the nation, Americans are becoming more familiar with the cornucopia of delicate pastries made from layered butter, sugar, and flour that France is so well-known for. Carole Dahan of Naples, Florida states that some of the most popular items include:
- Croissants: Arguably the most popular of all French baked goods, croissants are crescent-shaped rolls that are made with a light, flaky dough. They can be filled with a variety of different ingredients, including chocolate, cheese, ham, and vegetables.
- Pain au Chocolat: Pain au chocolat, or chocolate bread, is a type of brioche that is filled with chocolate. It is a popular breakfast food in France and can also be enjoyed as a snack or dessert.
- Macarons: Macarons are delicate, meringue-based cookies that are sandwiched together with a variety of different fillings, such as buttercream, ganache, or jam. They come in a wide range of colors and flavors and are often used as decorations for cakes and other desserts.
- Éclairs: Éclairs are oblong-shaped pastries that are made with a choux dough and filled with a cream or custard. They are often topped with a chocolate glaze and can be enjoyed as a snack or dessert.
- Paris-Brest: Paris-Brest is a ring-shaped pastry that is made with choux dough and filled with cream or custard. It is named after the Paris-Brest-Paris bicycle race and is a popular treat in France.
- Canelés: Canelés are small, cylindrical cakes that are made with a custard-like batter. They are traditionally flavored with vanilla or rum and have a crispy exterior and a soft, custard-like interior.
Carole Dahan of Naples, Florida says that many of these pastries are built around fine choux dough, custards, butter, chocolate, and everything you’d ever want in a dessert.
What to Have with French Pastries?
Of course, no French pastry is complete without a good cup of coffee or tea says Carole Dahan of Naples, Florida. In France, the most popular way to enjoy a pastry is with a cup of French coffee in the morning or afternoon. This simple combination is the perfect way to start or end your day.
If you’re looking for something a little more indulgent, however, you can always enjoy your pastry with a glass of champagne or a cup of hot chocolate. No matter how you enjoy them, Carole Dahan of Naples, Florida says that French pastries are sure to delight your taste buds and leave you wanting more.
Final Thoughts on French Baking
If you’re in the mood for something sweet, Carole Dahan of Naples, Florida says that French baking is the way to go. Thanks to a focus on quality ingredients and sophisticated techniques, French pastries, breads, and other baked goods are renowned for their flavor and delicacy. So, next time you’re in the mood for a treat, be sure to head to your local French bakery says Carole Dahan of Naples, Florida.
