21 French Pastries You Can Make At Home For A Little Treat

and

Jul 26, 2023

Let's be real. French pastries are sinfully delicious, but feel entirely impossible to make. That was, until now! We have a ton of baking recipes (with some expert baking tips) to try that will make your inner pastry chef shine. In most cases, you will need a little patience, a little bit of handiwork, and a *whole lot* of butter. Get your kitchen gear ready and let's get this French party started, maintenant.

Easy Palmier Cookies

We love that these French pastries are basically like extra-fancy cinnamon rolls. You only need a few ingredients to make them, and once they come out in all their sticky-sweet goodness, you're golden. (via Brit + Co.)

Mini Madeleines

You'll want to plan ahead for these tasty bites, since the dough needs to rest overnight. Once they're ready to bake, they only take 4 whole minutes in the oven! Dust each one with powdered sugar, and serve. (via Brit + Co.)

Croissant French Toast

We're pretty sure croissants are one of the best things France ever gave us. This take on the French pastry turns your go-to croissants into a delectable French toast dish — filled with plenty of strawberries, cream, and jam on top. (via Brit + Co.)

Honey + Hazelnut Baked Brie

We love puff pastry and brie cheese on their own, but put them together, and you have a richly sweet snack that will not disappoint. A handful of hazelnuts and a drizzle of honey round out the flavors. (via Brit + Co.)

Vol-au-vents

Meet your new secret weapon for dinner parties. Vol-au-vents are heavenly pastry pockets that take in just about any filling, sweet or savory. We love the look of these French pastries, and the taste, too! (via Cannelle et Vanille)

Pomegranate, Feta, + Artichoke Tart Soleil

This is a finger food you can serve for girl's night or family dinner. Grab an extra pomegranate while you're at the store so you can snack while you put this baby together! (via Pom Wonderful)

We Love These Tasty French Pastries

Pain Aux Raisins

The cinnamon roll's French cousin is, like all things French, a little more sophisticated, and not afraid of butter. (via Tish Boyle)

Easy Croissants

Image via Monika Grabkowska / Unsplash

You are 30 minutes away from pulling a batch of these buttery pups out of the oven. The secret? A little help – courtesy of ready-made puff pastry. (via Inspired Taste)

Galettes

Image via Bruna Branco / Unsplash

You'll see them most often on the dessert menu, but galettes can hold savory ingredients, too. These versatile, round, flaky pancakes of sorts create a stunning presentation time and time again. (via Snixy Kitchen)

French Crullers

This batch of French crullers makes for the ultimate fall sweet treat, as they're doused in chai and apple flavors! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Brioche Nanterre

Bake up some of this brioche bread for jams, spreads, and creams to sit on. You can make them savory or sweet, depending on your mood. (via Woman Scribbles)

Mille-feuille

This French pastry's name translates to “thousand layers," but fear not, you won't need to work that hard. This modern take features some berries and a citrusy yuzu cream. (via )

French Crepes

There are a ton of ways you can customize crepes once you get the hang of them. This recipe uses pancetta, ricotta, and greens, but you can also go with ham and cheese, fruit and chocolate, or just jam and sugar. There are *so* many options that you'll never get tired of these French pastries! (via A Spicy Perspective)

Red Wine Chocolate Macarons

Usually we like to enjoy a glass of wine with our dessert, but why not just combine the two? The star of the show here is definitely the creamy, red wine-chocolate ganache inside the cookies. We're pretty sure you'll want to lick the bowl once you're done. (via Barley & Sage)

French Pastries We Can't Wait To Make This Weekend

Pain Au Chocolat

The good news? You – yes, you – can make pain au chocolat at home. The bad news? You can make pain au chocolat at home. This is no shortcut recipe, but the extra effort pays off big time. (via The Bojon Gourmet)

Profiteroles with Chantilly Cream

For these treats, you start with a French choux pastry and build it out into a layered dessert, perfect for pairing with coffee! (via The Endless Meal)

Easy Croquembouche

Craft this towering bunch of croquembouche for a French-themed party, and watch all your guests fall in love with its sweet goodness. (via Hello Little Home)

Macarons

These bite-sized French bites are perfect for tea time or a fancy midnight snack! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Scones

Make sure to make these scones *extra* buttery for the full dining experience! (via Earthly Provisions)

Make These French Pastries For All Your Summer Brunches

Tarte Tatin

This French tarte tatin gets loaded up with tons of fresh plums, and topped nicely with a lavender-infused cream! (via Vikalinka)

Choux Au Craquelin

These treats carry such a satisfying texture. Fill each pastry with some sweet vanilla cream, and you'll be hooked! (via Takes Two Eggs)

Check out our baking and cooking classes to make some French pastries of your own!

This post has been updated.

Hallmark’s First-Ever Dating Show Is Coming So Soon

"What would you do if your entire family, and your hometown, set you up to find love?" That's the question Ashley Williams poses in the first Small Town Setup trailer, coming to Hallmark+ in 2025. And if anyone has the answer, I have no doubt it's Hallmark — if anyone knows about warm, cozy, and sappy romance it's them! Even if you're not a huge reality dating show fan (or if you couldn't stop watching Reese Witherspoon's Love in Fairhope) this is one January TV show you won't want to miss.

Here's everything we know about Hallmark's dating show Small Town Setup, hosted by Ashley Williams.

'Small Town Setup' puts you right in a Hallmark movie.

All six episodes of Small Town Setup premieres on Hallmark+ on Thursday, January 2, 2025, and is hosted by Ashley Williams, who you'll recognize from movies like Falling Together and Two Tickets to Paradise as well as How I Met Your Mother.

Just like your favorite Hallmark movies are all about finding love, Small Town Setup focuses on singles coupling up. The show will follow a single who "has made it in the big city, but has yet to find love." And their concerned parents (definitely a Hallmark trope and an IRL trope...) get the whole neighborhood involved in finding three potential matches.

"When the singleton arrives home for a visit, they are presented with dating options curated by their hometown. After three dates, will they find love in their hometown? Or head back to the big city? All is revealed at a big town hall event, full of heart, warmth, and a few laughs along the way."

Okay, getting the entire town involved in my love life sounds crazy, but the whole community coming together for a town hall event sounds exactly like the kind of sweet and sappy event my life needs. (Listen!! Dating as a 20-something in the city is harder than I expected...)

Throughout the trailer we see our singles looking for love around their hometown, going on small town dates, and finding connection in the most unexpected places. Yeah...I'll be tuning in — especially since Small Town Setup is totally giving Gilmore Girls.

Check out the 11 New January 2025 Movies Viewers Will Adore — and you'll want to add to your calendar ASAP!

12 "Outdated" Travel Destinations To Avoid In 2025 (Thanks, Overtourism!)

Tourism can be a blessing for the economy of many cities around the world, but it often comes at a price. Destinations like Venice and Bali are iconic for a reason — they’re unique, breathtaking places that lure travelers from around the globe. But when a travel destination becomes too popular, it risks losing its charm and overcrowding can strain infrastructure, inflate costs for locals, and disrupt the peace and quiet of small, serene towns.

Here are 12 destinations that have struggled with overtourism. The good news? Many are implementing smart strategies to balance tourism with sustainability. Planning to visit? Consider booking during the off-season for a more authentic and enjoyable experience or try these hidden gems.

Pixabay

Venice, Italy

Cruise ships and swarms of tourists have overwhelmed this picturesque city, leading to overcrowded canals, damaged infrastructure, and skyrocketing prices. The local population is dwindling as Venetians leave due to the city’s unsustainable tourism boom. Last spring, in an effort to manage the influx, the city put into effect an entry fee for day-trippers and has limited cruise ships docking its shores.

Oleksandr P

Bali, Indonesia

Once an idyllic paradise, Bali now suffers from traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and overcrowded beaches. The island’s resources are strained under the weight of mass tourism, but there are efforts underway to promote sustainability like putting a moratorium on new hotels.

Willian Justen de Vasconcellos

Machu Picchu, Peru

Overtourism has led to erosion and damage to this ancient Incan citadel. A quota system and mandatory guides are helping preserve this popular South American destination.

Darren Lawrence

Tulum, Mexico

Once a tranquil paradise known for its pristine beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, and eco-chic vibe, Tulum has become a cautionary tale of overtourism. The surge in popularity, fueled by Instagram-worthy scenery, has brought overcrowding, environmental strain, and rising costs. The Guardianreported that locals are being pushed out by developers and despite the thinking that tourism helps local communities, poverty nearly doubled between 2015 and 2020. Local ecosystems, including fragile mangroves and coral reefs, are threatened by unchecked construction and pollution too. The local ruins have implemented stricter rules like no food or drink to limit trash and environmental impact from tourists.

Jimmy Teoh

Santorini, Greece

Instagram fame has turned this once-serene island into a tourist hotspot. Narrow streets are perpetually clogged, and locals are struggling with soaring costs of living due to tourism demand. The government has since capped the number of daily cruise ship visitors to keep overtourism at bay.

Chait Goli

Cinque Terre, Italy

Known for its colorful cliffside villages and breathtaking coastal views, these once-quiet fishing towns now see millions of visitors annually, way more than they can handle. To combat issues like congestion and cruise ships, local authorities have introduced visitor caps and encourage sustainable travel to protect Cinque Terre’s charm.

Rudy Kirchner

Reykjavík, Iceland

Is there anyone not going to Iceland these days? A small country with breathtaking landscapes, Iceland has been overwhelmed by tourists flocking to Instagram-famous sites like the Blue Lagoon and Diamond Beach. It's best to travel during the off season (November to April) and travel to lesser known spots like the Sturlungalaug hot spring.

youseflns

Maya Bay, Thailand (Phi Phi Islands)

This iconic beach, popularized by the DiCaprio film The Beach, suffered ecological devastation from hordes of visitors and anchored boats. Coral reefs were destroyed, and the beach was closed for years to allow recovery. It has since reopened after a huge revitalization project, but they have introduced visitor caps.

Pixabay

Kyoto, Japan

Traditionally quiet streets of this ancient capital city now teem with tourists during peak season. An increase in litter from tourists has required the city to install more trash bins to handle the crowds, and peaceful geishas are often chased down for photos. To mitigate the problem, Kyoto is considering running special buses to popular sites to reduce overcrowding, and temples and shrines are encouraging visitors to come early in the morning.

Prabin Sunar

Mount Everest, Nepal

The ultimate challenge for adventurers, Mount Everest has experienced overcrowding on the slopes and at base camps, leading to dangerous conditions, with litter and human waste piling up on the mountain. Permits are now harder to get, and stricter regulations for climbers are being enforced.

Mateusz Popek

Dubrovnik, Croatia

The Game of Thrones effect brought an influx of fans to this medieval city. Overcrowded streets and cruise ship arrivals have made it difficult to appreciate its beauty. The local government is taking steps to limit daily visitors and impose stricter cruise ship regulations.

Helena I

Lisbon, Portugal

Short-term rentals dominate the housing market now, thanks to affordable flights and the digital nomad craze. This has led to skyrocketing rents and displaced locals. Historic neighborhoods are inundated with tourists, making them less charming too. Everything from public transport to waste management struggles to keep pace with the influx. I went in December and it still felt a bit like Disneyland. Douro Valley and Madeira might be more favorable destinations any time of year.

Cure your wanderlust in 2025! Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more travel ideas!

travel destinations overtourism travel 2025 where to travel european travel asian travel japan bali venice travel

13 Yummy Christmas Cookies From Around The World

Heaping plates of Christmas cookies are synonymous with the holidays. It seems that nearly every country around the globe has their own variation on the holiday classic. In fact, some of these regions have been making their version of Christmas cookies for literal hundreds of years.

If you’re looking for a way to reconnect with your heritage, or maybe just want a little baking inspiration, check out our picks for the yummiest Christmas cookies from around the world.

The Noshery

Mantecaditos con Guayaba

These may look like ordinary thumbprint cookies, but these almond shortbreads from Puerto Rico are filled with a special guava marmalade. (via The Noshery)

Broma Bakery

Meringues

French meringues are a classic crumbly egg white cookie with a chewy interior. These get an extra European twist with the addition of Nutella. (via Broma Bakery)

Pretty. Simple. Sweet.

Alfajores

Deeply flavored dulce de leche, a caramel made from whole milk commonly found in Spain and many Latin American countries, is the key ingredient in these super pretty sandwiched Christmas cookies. (via Pretty. Simple. Sweet.)

Fancy Peasant

Melomakarona

These Christmas cookies that hail from Greece get their sweetness from a generous soaking of fresh honey! (via Fancy Peasant)

Very Eatalian

Baci di Dama

The name of this Italian treat translates to “lady’s kisses” — how adorable is that? These bite-sized cuties are made with ground hazelnuts and filled with a dollop of dark chocolate. (via Very Eatalian)

Cooking Classy

Linzer Cookies

These Austrian Christmas cookies are typically made with raspberry jam, but feel free to get crazy with a filling of your choice. Plus, the gorgeous windowpane look will make them a prize takeaway at your next cookie exchange. (via Cooking Classy)

Olivia’s Cuisine

Basler Brunsli

If you’re hanging out in Switzerland around Christmas time, you’ll definitely see these chocolate treats around. They’re often described as Swiss brownies due to their deliciously chewy texture. Perfect with a cup of eggnog or coffee! (via Olivia’s Cuisine)

Cilantro Parsley

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

Lead image via Pretty. Simple. Sweet.

cookie recipes dessert recipes christmas cookies international foods christmas recipes