Weekend Inspiration: Boulangerie Essentials

The weekend is almost upon us and we're ready for some much needed R and R. Over the past few months we've been working hard to refine our cafe's menu in an effort to make the best of a Parisian boulangerie available in our cafe. As we've begun carrying a delicious array of pastries and savories from our two favorite local bakeries, Back in the Day Bakery and Baker's Pride, we couldn't help but feel inspired by the tradition of a boulangerie. So, we thought this weekend was as good as any to try out a few recipes in our own home! To help us get started we've set aside a few boulangerie essentials and hopefully (with a little trial and error) we'll have a few successes to write about! If not, then at least we can enjoy the baker's process and a tradition that we can't imagine life without. Have a great weekend and bon appetit!

Baking essentials available at The Paris Market.

Notes from Abroad: The best of the bakery

While enjoying the holidays abroad with family, we wanted to share some of the things we love most about Europe during this wonderful season. This week it takes the form of delicious breads and pastries from the local bakery! It goes without saying that bakeries all across Europe have their own unique and delectable flavors specific to their regions. As we are currently in the southern most corner of the Black Forest in Germany, we rounded up this collection of our favorite delicious and traditional Schwartzwalder treats to share with friends and family back home!

Stollen - a traditional holiday loaf filled with dried fruits, marzipan and dusted with powdered sugar.

It wouldn't be Germany without the pretzels! / The Berliner - a jelly-filled, sugar-dusted favorite!

Weckmann - another beloved treat around the holidays in the form of a little man made of sweet bread.

Schnecken- or "snail", a delicious sweet rolled pastry filled with any number of nuts and dried fruits.