A French wedding cake, also known as a croquembouche, is a stunning, traditional French dessert made up of delicate pastry puffs filled with cream and arranged in a cone shape, often decorated with caramelized sugar. This dessert not only tastes heavenly but also makes a beautiful centerpiece for any wedding. If you’re looking to create this showstopper for your special day or any celebration, here’s an easy-to-follow recipe with some helpful tips!

Ingredients:

For the Choux Pastry:

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 4 large eggs

For the Pastry Cream Filling:

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 6 large egg yolks
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

For the Caramelized Sugar:

• 1 cup granulated sugar

Instructions:

Make the Choux Pastry:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the water and butter. Heat over medium until the butter melts.
• Add the flour and salt all at once, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon. Continue stirring until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
• Remove from heat and let the dough cool for a few minutes. Then, one at a time, add the eggs, mixing well after each addition until the dough becomes smooth and glossy.
• Using a pastry bag or a spoon, pipe small mounds of dough (about 1 inch wide) onto the baking sheets. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and puffed.
• Once baked, allow the choux to cool completely on a wire rack.

Prepare the Pastry Cream:

• In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it’s just about to boil. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch until smooth.
• Gradually pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
• Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it thickens and reaches a custard-like consistency.
• Remove from heat, stir in the butter and vanilla extract, and let the cream cool to room temperature.

Fill the Choux Pastry:

• Once the choux pastry puffs have cooled, use a sharp knife to make a small hole in the bottom of each puff.
• Fill a pastry bag with the cooled pastry cream and pipe it into each puff, filling it generously.

Assemble the Croquembouche:

• Arrange the filled puffs in a cone shape on a serving platter or cake stand, starting from the bottom and working your way up.
• Prepare the caramelized sugar by heating it in a saucepan over medium heat until it turns golden brown. Be careful not to burn it.
• Once the caramel is ready, dip the bottom of each puff into the caramel and stick it to the next puff, building your cone.
• Continue this process until the croquembouche is tall and cone-shaped.

Decorate and Serve:

• For an added touch of elegance, drizzle extra caramel over the top or sprinkle with edible gold dust.
• Serve immediately or refrigerate for a short time until ready to display at your celebration.

FAQs

Can I make the choux pastry ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the choux puffs a day ahead and store them in an airtight container. Fill them just before serving to keep the pastry crisp.

How do I store the French wedding cake?

It’s best served fresh, but you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Be cautious of the caramel, as it may soften when refrigerated.

Can I use store-bought puff pastry for this recipe?

While store-bought puff pastry is convenient, traditional croquembouche requires homemade choux pastry for the authentic texture and taste.

Final Thought

The French wedding cake, or croquembouche, is a magnificent and delicious treat that combines elegance and flavor in one stunning dessert.

While it requires some time and effort to prepare, the result is well worth it—whether you’re making it for a wedding, a special event, or just to impress your loved ones.

By following this recipe, you’ll not only create a visually striking dessert but also enjoy the rich, creamy goodness that comes with each bite. With a bit of practice and attention to detail, you’ll be able to create a show-stopping dessert that will leave your guests in awe!