Paris Brest

A celebration in pastry form, the Paris-Brest is instantly recognizable by its elegant, wheel-like shape. Conceived in 1910 by the ingenious pâtissier Louis Durand, its very form is a homage to the famed Paris–Brest bicycle race it was created to commemorate. The circular choux pastry is a direct nod to a bicycle wheel, a tribute to the endurance of the cyclists. While the classic version, with its simple yet divine filling of praline buttercream, remains a timeless masterpiece, this gourmet iteration is a symphony of modern indulgence. The journey begins with the pâte à choux itself, crowned with a crusty, decadent chocolate crumble that bakes into a delightful, crackly texture. Once split open, the true revelation is unveiled: the airy wheel is generously filled with a luscious hazelnut diplomate cream—a lighter, silkier cousin to the traditional buttercream. Layered within this creamy cloud are ribbons of soft, salty caramel and rich hazelnut spread, each bite offering a complex play of textures and a deep, nutty sweetness that is utterly irresistible. This is not merely an update; it is a worthy and glorious evolution of a classic.