At Crush HQ, when life gets us down, we say, “let us eat cake!” Okay, maybe we don’t say that but it sure is a philosophy that we get behind. So, to inspire you, we’ve rounded up 20 of our best French baking recipes. Grab those whisks and start creating something spectacular.

Best French Baking Recipes

CRÈME RENVERSÉE AU CARAMEL (THE ORIGNAL CRÈME CARAMEL)

Degree of difficulty: moderate

This is one uber French dessert. GET THE RECIPE

Pain Au Chocolate Bread & Butter Pudding

Degree of difficulty: easy

This recipe puts a French twist on the English dessert, with chocolate pastry baked in butter and cream. Need we say more? GET THE RECIPE

Baked Caramel Custard Croissant Pudding

Degree of difficulty: easy

Croissant, caramel and custard. This is a triple threat in the pudding world! GET THE RECIPE

Pecan & Pear Pain Perdu

Degree of difficulty: easy

A great way of using up your less-than-fresh bread. GET THE RECIPE

Chocolate Soufflé

Degree of difficulty: difficult

Probably one of the most classic and best French baking recipes. Drizzle this light and fluffy soufflé with a glug of chocolate sauce. GET THE RECIPE

Crème Brûlée

Degree of difficulty: moderate

Nothing gets us more excited than the beginning of eating a perfect crème brûlèe – cracking the caramelised topping with the back of our spoons and digging into the creamy dessert hiding below. GET THE RECIPE

Berry & Almond Friands

Degree of difficulty: easy

Friands are small almond cakes; these ones have fresh berries added, making them French and fabulous! GET THE RECIPE

Honey-glazed Vanilla Crullers

Degree of difficulty: moderate

Choux pastry deep fried to crispy golden perfection. Choux or should that be sjoe!? GET THE RECIPE

ROOIBOS CRÈME BRÛLÉE CRÊPE CAKE

Degree of difficulty: difficult

This rooibos infused crème anglaise is perfect to sandwich together this stack of super thin French crêpes. GET THE RECIPE

Chocolate Amarula Crêpe Cake

Degree of difficulty: difficult

This French dish gets a shot of South African flavour from Amarula. GET THE RECIPE

Gateau Nantais

Degree of difficulty: easy

A pound cake drenched with some punchy rum, taking your next tea time to tipsy heights. GET THE RECIPE

Gateau Chocolat

Degree of difficulty: moderate

It may look like an ordinary chocolate cake but trust us, it’s so much more. GET THE RECIPE

Madeleines

Degree of difficulty: moderate

Dainty little sponge cakes that are as light as air, these Madeleines are one of our go-to best French baking recipes. Tricky to get right but buttery and totally divine. GET THE RECIPE

Chocolate Eclairs

Degree of difficulty: moderate

We love choux pastry in its simplest form, stuffed with cream and coated with chocolate. GET THE RECIPE

Chocolate ClemenGold Madeleines

Degree of difficulty: moderate

Classic Madeleines got a fabulous teatime makeover with ClemenGold® flavour and hazelnuts. GET THE RECIPE

Lemon Madeleines with White Choc and Pistachio

Degree of difficulty: moderate

Small, lemony dessert bites with a cake-like texture. Perfect for teatime. GET THE RECIPE

Petit Fours

Degree of difficulty: moderate

No high tea would be complete without these beautifully decorated delights. GET THE RECIPE

Lemon Macaron

Degree of difficulty: difficult

Put to bed the difference between the macaron vs macaroon and then make these beauties. GET THE RECIPE

Plum Clafoutis

Degree of difficulty: easy

You may be familiar with clafoutis made with berries but they work equally well with other stone fruits. GET THE RECIPE

Frozen Apricot Parfait

Degree of difficulty: easy

A delightful dessert for a hot summer’s day. GET THE RECIPE

Pear and Blue Cheese Tarte Tatin

Degree of difficulty: moderate

A classic French dish with modern flair. GET THE RECIPE

Tarte au Citron

Degree of difficulty: moderate

A delicious lemony flavoured tart. GET THE RECIPE

If you don’t a sweet tooth, why not try 36 of our best French Food recipes to stretch your culinary skills. Also, brush up on your French Cooking Terms with our glossary.