Paris Sweets: Great Desserts from the City's Best Pastry Shops

by Dorie Greenspan

The prize-winning author of Baking with Julia (more than 350,000 copies sold), among other cookbook classics, celebrates the sweet life with recipes and lore from Paris's finest patisseries.

Like most lovers of pastry and Paris, Dorie Greenspan has always marveled at the jewel-like creations displayed in bakery windows throughout the City of Light. Now, in a charmingly illustrated tribute to the capital of sweets, Greenspan presents a splendid assortment of recipes from Paris’s foremost pastry chefs in a book that is as transporting to read as it is easy to use.

From classic recipes, some centuries old, to updated innovations, Paris Sweets provides a sumptuous guide to creating cookies, from the fabled madeleine to simple, ultra-buttery sables; tarts, from the famous Tatin, which began its life as an upside-down error, to a delightful strawberry tart embellished with homemade strawberry marshmallows; and a glorious range of cakes–lemon-drenched "weekend cake," fudge cake, and the show-stopping Opera. Paris Sweets brims with assorted temptations that even a novice can prepare, such as coffee éclairs, rum-soaked babas, and meringue puffs. Evocative portraits of the pastry shops and chefs, as well as information on authentic French ingredients, make this a truly comprehensive tour.

An elegant gift for Francophiles, armchair travelers, bakers of all skill levels, and certainly for oneself, Paris Sweets brings home a taste of enchantment.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, France, Travel, Nonfiction, Foodie

199 pages, Hardcover

First published November 12, 2002

About the author

Called a culinary guru by the New York Times, Dorie Greenspan is the author of the James Beard Awardwinning Baking: From My Home to Yours, which inspired the creation of the online baking community Tuesdays with Dorie. She has been passionately involved with French food for the last three decades. With Pierre Herm, she wrote Desserts by Pierre Herm, winner of an IACP Cookbook of the Year Award, and Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Herm, winner of the Gourmand prize for best cookbook in the English language. Greenspan won both an IACP and a James Beard Award for her Baking with Julia. She is also the author of Paris Sweets and The Caf Boulud Cookbook (with Daniel Boulud). Inducted into the Whos Who of Food and Beverage in America, she is a contributing editor to Parade magazine, writes regularly for Bon Apptit, and is a frequent guest on NPRs All Things Considered and The Splendid Table. Greenspan lives in New York City, Westbrook, Connecticut, and Paris."

Reviews

[Manik Sukoco · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVE this book. It is a delight in every other way. The book is partly a travelogue describing the atmosphere and offerings at Paris's most famous patisseries, and her writing is so evocative, and so charmingly illustrated with line drawings, that you while reading you tend to feel as if you were standing in front of a gleaming case of sweetly scented pastries with a rotund pastry chef behind the counter sending up clouds of artisanal flour as you contemplate your order in line behind an elegant femme in couture high-heels leading a poodle on a leash.
Along with the travelogue descriptions you get the occasional informative discourse on ingredients such as chocolate and flour and eggs. Easy to follow instructions, good selection of recipes. Line drawings, not color photographs. Might be a little difficult for novice bakers but experienced bakers will love this book.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book, yes, but am I through with this book? Certainly not. I loved reading the stories of the little pastry shops in Paris and the pastry chefs who run them and the delightful desserts they create, and I've loved baking from a couple of the recipes - Sablés au Citron (Lemon Shortbread) and Clafoutis aux Pêche (Peach Clafoutis) - but I know that I will continue to return to this cookbook and try other treats in the future.

No one who loves pastries should miss this book.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this cookbook not just for the recipes, but for the glimpses into French culture, which the author so vividly describes, and for the baking tips, which she shares with nuanced detail. My son and I have tried three recipes so far--lemon butter cookies, classic madeleines, and puff pastry--and all were delicious. Next on the list of attempts are the honey madeleines and the korova cookies.

I first learned of this cookbook three years ago at an open house held by a family in St. Petersburg, FL, for students accepted to the U Chicago Class of 2018. Two of the cookies served--Lemon Butter and Old Fashioned Almond--were the best cookies I had ever tasted or touched. Everything about them--the look, taste, and texture--was perfect. The hostess was willing to share her secret: this cookbook. I've since bought it as a gift for myself and three friends.

The book contains some drawings but no photos.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a small book, but big on information. It is a collection of quality, representative recipes from Paris patisseries and bakeries, all made workable for home cooks in American kitchens. Along with these great recipes is plenty of information about French baking styles and vignettes about many of the best patisseries in Paris. She does a great job of capturing the personality of the bakers she writes about. The recipe for Korova/World Peace cookies alone is worth the price of the book. These little chocolate mouthfuls are a favourite of everyone who tries them, and easy to make as well. Dorie Greenspan deserves her fantastic reputation as a baker and cookbook writer. She is the author of BAKING WITH JULIA, but really she herself is the new "Julia Child,' at least of the world of baking. I borrowed this book, but it is now on my list of books to add to my personal library.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

my first introduction to lots of things- dorie greenspan's amazing books, financiers, her korova/world peace cookies, etc. for a long time i was on a tart kick, and i ended up making 4 of the ones in there (the whole lemon tart, the sonia rykel tart, the baked apple tart, and the cherry clafoutis) in a very short period of time (leading everyone who ate the goods to abstain from tarts for a while).

she also paints a really pretty picture of paris, with quaint pastry shops and humble, kind pastry chefs who were happy to share their secrets.

[Kylie Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

World Peace/Korova Cookies - best chocolate cookies I have ever eaten. Easy to make. No expensive/hard to find ingredients. I'm keeping a stash in my freezer for chocolate emergencies. My new favorite dessert to bring to people.

[Viveka · Rating 5 out of 5]

more than a cookbook- the anecdotes and illustrations that accompany the recipes make the book. the korova cookies are *unbelievable* though and the description of montmartre square will make you want to rush out and buy a pound of almond paste (then, sticker shock). pitch perfect food writing.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish this book had pictures! I liked a lot of the recipes and I'm planning to make some eventually, but I like to have pictures to entice me and to get an idea of whether I'm doing it right or not!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Dorie Greenspan cookbook....wonderful book, great recipes. She includes weights for ingredients which is a big plus.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part cookbook, part bakery (and baked good) history, this is a really wonderful book that gives you the information to recreate Paris' best pastries at home. It would also be great if you were planning a visit to the city, since then you'd know where to stop! Not for amateurs (I tried some of the cookie recipes, but the rest were pretty tough), the recipes are delicious and she adds suggestions for 'An American In Paris' if you'd like to be less traditional with your fillings, presentation, etc. She may be my favorite cookbook writer!

The illustrations here are beautiful - and very french. But I could've used some actual pictures of the baked goods, especially in the last chapter on special occasion cakes.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took this out of the library over a decade ago and worked my way through some of the delicious recipes; I particularly remember a chocolate torte that was filled with butter and eggs that was so rich it still haunts my dreams.

Greenspan is one of those food writers that not only explains the history of what's being presented but the science of why it works. I first encountered her in Baking with Julia: Sift, Knead, Flute, Flour, and Savor... and was pleased to find that she had so many other titles. You won't get through her recipes quickly, but you'll definitely learn something with each one.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could I would give 10 stars! I can not praise this cookbook enough. Beautifully written, heartwarming stories and gorgeous illustrations. As if that wasn't enough? There are so many mouthwatering recipes to be made! Thanks to Doris Greenspan who went over and beyond to make sure we can bake up these delectable treats from Paris, right here at home! There are very few cookbooks I have read from over to cover. This is one of them and I enjoyed every minute between these pages. Can't wait to roll up my sleeves and get started on some (if not all) of these recipes!

[Joseybird · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've only made the madeleines thus far, but they came out beautifully and were nummy =D

EDIT: Overall, absolutely lovely book, and great reading for anyone with a particular fondness for pastry shops (but of course, you could have guessed that...). My one complaint is that the recipes aren't as "everyday" as those in her classic Baking: From My Home to Yours, so I wouldn't want it as a recipe book per say, and there isn't enough other text to really justify more than a library jaunt.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mom gave me this book, which means I cherish it. I don't, however, use many of the recipes. Most involve several steps and fancy, expensive ingredients. I'm too distracted and poor for all that. These recipes are for when you want to impress someone with delicate petits fours or an elegant cake. Not suggested when you just want a pan of gooey brownies or some cookies in under an hour.

[Jasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely superb. The recipes are easy to follow and I love the anecdotes Greenspan includes with all of the desserts. I was a little weary about baking some items because there are no photographs (only cartoon sketches), but so far Greenspan hasn't failed me in my efforts to recreate a French patisserie at home. My favorite baking book by far!

[Rachel Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Stories and Recipes

Dorie provides terrific narratives and several of the top pastry and bread shops in Paris. She describes the delicious treats and then is kind enough to provide a copious amount of recipes.

[kewpie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite cookbooks. Everything I've made has been wonderful.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delish recipes for madeleines, strawberry tart, hot chocolate, creme brulee.

[Luz-Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Beka · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous dessert cookbook. I want to try every shop and every sweet.

[Doris Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my gateway cookbook to Dorie Greenspan’s wonderful cookbooks. I now own three, but this is a cookbook with wonderful recipes in it

[Michelle Farr · Rating 4 out of 5]

great recipes, doable with kitchen skills picked up over time (no formal training needed I mean), nicely told vignettes

I bought this as an e-book, will buy a "real" one for my daughter.

[Dray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dorie Greenspan is an excellent author and produces books that every baker should have on their shelves. This small book is one of them. The items from Paris collected in the book are delectible but the real gems are the stories from the Patisserries. Recommended.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cookbook def feeds a bit dated in its presentation, but the writing is lovely and I really enjoyed a lot of the recipes - haven't tried any yet, but a nice variety.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A) haven’t tried any of the recipes yet B) surprisingly dated?! I didn’t think such a thing could be true for a cookbook of the 2000s, but that’s also 24 years in now.