Le goûter is unarguably an institution in France. A bit like the British teatime, goûter consists of sweet treats religiously eaten around 4:30 p.m. by children, as they leave school and flock to bakeries to pick up one or two pastries to keep them going through to dinner which is served around 7:30 p.m. in France. During the weekend, goûter is often enjoyed at home, with kids joining their maman or papa in the kitchen to bake a batch of delicious treats that the whole family will enjoy together. (Let’s be real, adults do love goûter too.)
Because this is France, lots of children at bakeries unsurprisingly reach for a Pain au Chocolat (chocolate croissant), little Chouquettes (sugar-topped pastry puffs) or at home, one or two pieces of baguette stuffed with chocolate squares.
Throughout various French regions, you’ll also see more singular treats in bakery stalls and on kitchen counters; and this chapter is devoted to these little treasures. In Brittany, big wedges of Far Breton (Prune Flan) are staples. On the other side of France, in French Catalonia, kids and adults alike love their Rousquilles (Lemon-Glazed Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cookies).
Like all regional specialties, these old-timey treats reflect the love affair each region has with certain ingredients. There are the spices and honey in Dijon’s Nonnettes (Marmalade-Filled Honey Cakes). There is sugar in the North, found in the Gaufres Fourrées à la Vergeoise (Little Sugar Waffles). And there is the lemon and aniseed in Corsica in the Canistrelli au Citron et à l’Anis (White Wine, Lemon and Aniseed Cookies).
The variety of sweet regional treats is countless in France. You’ll find one for every region, for every town, for every village. Frankly, one’s lifetime may not be enough to taste them all. But here’s my sweet little selection to get you started and to ease you into the delightful tradition of le goûter.