Paris-Brest is made with pate a choux pastry dough, just like the kind used to make eclairs and cream puffs. The French dessert was originally created for a bicycle race, the big ring representing a bicycle wheel! And the idea stuck around for decades. My berry Paris Brest is light as air, fruity and not too sweet – the perfection combination in the dessert world! It’s loaded with tons of berries, sweet fruit and a cream mascarpone filling. Every bite is bursting with berries and cream flavor! When I was making this dessert, I just couldn’t stop obsessing over how beautiful it was! It’s elegant and simple yet show-stopping! It’s perfect for any occasion or celebration.
Watch My Video!
Make sure to watch my video recipe for step-by-step instructions! Want to receive new recipe notifications? Make sure you’re subscribed to my YouTube channel!
How To Make Pate a Choux
Believe it or not, I was completely terrified of making pate a choux for the longest time! I always thought it was complicated and not worth the effort. Boy was I wrong! Making pate a choux is super easy and doesn’t require any special equipment. This basic pate a choux recipe is the same used for all pastries: cream puffs, eclairs and even savoury profiteroles!
- Place the water, salt and butter together into a medium sauce pot and bring to a simmer.
- Add the flour and cook for about 1 minute, until a dough ball forms.
- Let the dough cool for about 20 minutes, until it’s just warm.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, until a sticky and smooth batter forms.
- Transfer batter into a pastry bag and pipe away!
When baking pate a choux for this Paris Brest recipe, do not open the oven door!! The cold air draft from your kitchen can cause the pastry to fall flat! Allow it bake until it’s a deep golden color, then cool and fill.
Recipe Variations
This Paris Brest recipe can be used to make the large, traditional pastry, or for smaller, mini Paris Brest versions. Also, you can added melted milk or dark chocolate to the whipped cream for a chocolate twist; or, use a bit of caramel for a more traditional flavor. Feel free to add your favorite fruit like raspberries, kiwi, mango, cherries, and even pineapple!
More Recipes!
If you love French desserts and Paris Brest, make sure to check out my other recipes!
- Chocolate Caramel Paris Brest – these mini chocolate pastries are filled with a salted caramel cream!
- Chocolate Coffee Eclairs – the best eclairs recipe with coffee whipped cream filling!
- Raspberry Pistachio Eclairs – with fluffy pistachio cream and raspberry glaze!
- Strawberry Cream Puffs – a berry delicious twist on classic pastry puffs!
Enjoyed this recipe? Please share and save it to Pinterest!
Need some supplies to make this recipe? You can get them here (Amazon affiliate links):
I love these aluminum baking sheets for everything from dessert to roasted veggies!
These silicone non-stick mats are simply amazing!
This set of jumbo cake decorating tips includes all the tips that I use. Use them with these disposable pastry bags.
I made this today for my July 4th dessert. Very impressive and tasty, but I found the filling a little off. I believe by adding the warm melted white chocolate it seized up when I put in the cream…even though I added slowly. It gave the cream a ricotta texture that I personally don’t like. Everyone else raved about it and reminded me that I’m too critical. I enjoy your recipes, thanks for sharing!
Hi JoAnne – I’m so glad you were able to enjoy the dessert even with the hiccup! Next time, make sure to cream together the cream cheese and white chocolate together before adding the cream. This way, it will be nice and smooth! 🙂