Save to Pinterest Piste de Train Mignardises offers a delightful journey into the world of French miniature desserts, artfully crafted and assembled to imitate a charming train track. This whimsical assortment highlights classic French pastries like choux puffs, financiers, and fruit tartlets, making it an enchanting centerpiece for festive occasions, afternoon teas, or elegant dessert platters. Each bite-sized treat combines intricate technique with playful presentation, inviting both the eyes and palate to savor the experience.
Save to Pinterest Crafting this ensemble requires some care and patience, inviting bakers to embrace the charm of French pâtisserie. Balancing delicate choux pastry with buttery financiers and fresh berry tartlets, you create an edible tableau that captures the eye and delights the senses. The final assembly as a train track is where creativity really shines, turning individual desserts into a storytelling experience.
Ingredients
- Choux Pastry
60 ml water, 60 ml whole milk, 50 g unsalted butter (cubed), 1/2 tsp granulated sugar, pinch of salt, 70 g all-purpose flour, 2 large eggs - Chocolate Ganache
100 g dark chocolate (60–70% cocoa, chopped), 100 ml heavy cream - Mini Financiers
60 g unsalted butter, 50 g almond flour, 40 g icing sugar, 20 g all-purpose flour, pinch of salt, 2 large egg whites - Fruit Tartlets
100 g sweet shortcrust pastry (pâte sucrée), 80 ml pastry cream, 40 g assorted fresh berries (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries) - Decoration
20 g powdered sugar (for dusting), 1 tbsp edible gold leaf or silver pearls (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven.
- Set it to 180°C (350°F). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- 2. Make the choux pastry.
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, milk, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat, add flour, and stir vigorously until a dough forms. Return to heat and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly. Transfer to a bowl, cool slightly, then beat in eggs one at a time until smooth and glossy.
- 3. Bake choux puffs.
- Pipe small rounds onto the baking sheet. Bake for 20–25 minutes until puffed and golden. Cool completely.
- 4. Prepare chocolate ganache.
- Heat cream until just simmering. Pour over chopped chocolate, let stand 1 minute, then stir until glossy and smooth. Cool to room temperature.
- 5. Make mini financiers.
- Melt butter until golden brown (beurre noisette). Cool slightly. Mix almond flour, icing sugar, flour, and salt. Whisk in egg whites, fold in browned butter. Spoon into mini financier molds or mini muffin tins. Bake 15 minutes until golden.
- 6. Prepare tartlets.
- Roll out sweet shortcrust pastry and cut small rounds. Press into mini tartlet molds. Prick bases and bake blind at 180°C (350°F) for 10–12 minutes. Cool, fill with pastry cream, top with berries.
- 7. Assemble the mignardises.
- Arrange on a large platter or board like a winding train track: choux puffs filled or dipped with ganache, financiers as train cars, tartlets as stations. Dust with powdered sugar and decorate with gold leaf or silver pearls.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Take your time when preparing the choux pastry to achieve glossy, smooth dough essential for perfect puffing. Use a piping bag with a round tip for uniform choux sizes. Keep an eye on the financiers while baking to reach a golden brown beurre noisette flavor without burning. When assembling, ensure the ganache is cooled to avoid melting other delicate elements.
Varianten und Anpassungen
Experiment with fillings for choux puffs such as coffee or vanilla cream to add variety. Switch out fresh berries in tartlets for seasonal fruits like kiwi, mango, or stone fruits. For a playful flourish, create chocolate rails or cookie tracks to complete the train track illusion.
Serviervorschläge
This elegant platter pairs beautifully with Champagne or a glass of sweet Sauternes for celebratory occasions. For a non-alcoholic option, serve alongside a fragrant loose-leaf tea to highlight the delicate flavors of the pastries.
Save to Pinterest Piste de Train Mignardises transforms classic French desserts into a playful and elegant experience that is sure to enchant guests and elevate any gathering. Its combination of artistry and technique celebrates the joy of pâtisserie while inviting you to share a story through food—one miniature treat at a time.
Common Recipe Questions
- → What pastries are included in this assortment?
It features choux pastry puffs with chocolate ganache, miniature financiers made with browned butter and almond flour, and fruit tartlets topped with fresh berries.
- → How is the design styled like a train?
The pastries are arranged on a large platter in a winding line, with choux as engine cars, financiers as train cars, and tartlets as stations, dusted with powdered sugar and optionally decorated with edible gold leaf.
- → Can I vary the fillings for the choux puffs?
Yes, different fillings such as coffee or vanilla cream work well to add variety and personalize the assortment.
- → What tools are needed to prepare these pastries?
Essential tools include piping bags, mini muffin or financier molds, mini tartlet molds, baking sheets, and mixing bowls.
- → Is this assortment suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, all components are vegetarian-friendly, using ingredients like eggs, dairy, and nuts.
- → What beverages complement this assortment?
Champagne, Sauternes, or a fine afternoon tea pair beautifully with the delicate flavors and textures presented.