The real recipe for Pithiviers puff pastry, a speciality of the Loire Valley
Epiphany is just around the corner! A time when many people are rushing out to eat the traditional galette des rois. But try something new! Opt for Pithiviers. Here’s the real recipe for Pithiviers puff pastry, certified 100% made in the Loire Valley! And if you don’t feel like a cordon bleu, we’ve got a few addresses where you can enjoy the best Pithiviers in the Loire Valley!
A quick and easy recipe
Difficulty: Easy
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes thermostat 6 (180°)
Serving time: very slow when tasted
Ingredients for Pithiviers puff pastry
Serves 6:
- 2 fresh puff pastries (2 x 200g)
- 125g almond powder
- 125g icing sugar
- 100g softened butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons rum
- 1 teaspoon bitter almond flavouring
Preparing the Pithiviers puff pastry
Heat the almonds
First, pour the almond powder into a saucepan and heat over a low heat until the powder is lightly coloured. Remove the almonds from the heat, place in a bowl, leave to cool and add the sugar.
Mix everything together and make an almond cream
Next, soften your butter if it is not already soft, by cutting it into small pieces in a bowl and leaving it in the microwave for 10 seconds. Put the soft butter in a bowl and work it with a spatula until its texture becomes supple. Then add the almond powder and sugar. Then add the eggs, rum and bitter almond extract. Mix everything together and you should have a magnificent frangipane!
Roll out and top the pastry
Roll out your first puff pastry and spread your freshly-made almond cream evenly over it, leaving 1 to 2 cm around the edges. Then cover everything with your second puff pastry. Tie the edges of the two pastries together and brush the top with egg yolk, then square off with a knife.
Put it in the oven and it’s ready!
Bake your Pithiviers puff pastry for 30 minutes in an oven preheated to gas mark 6 (180°C). The pastry on top should be golden brown. Remove from the oven and wait 15 minutes before enjoying it slightly warm.
Where to find the best Pithiviers in the Loire Valley
Every year, the Confrérie de l’Authentique Pithiviers awards prizes in the national competition for the best Pithiviers. Whether the Pithiviers is fondant or puff pastry. This award is presented every year in the town of… Pithiviers, of course! Because before being a delicious dessert, Pithiviers is also, and above all, a town in the Loire Valley.
So don’t hesitate to push open the door of a good bakery or pastry shop that prepares Pithiviers fondant or puff pastry, such as ‘A La Renommée’ in Pithiviers. You’ll also find them in Orléans and the surrounding area.
Now that you know all about Pithiviers, all we can do is wish you bon appétit!
Thematics
