Canelés de Bordeaux 09 © French Moments

Last Updated: 6 February 2022

Soft in the centre, caramelised on the outside; the canelé, cooked in a specially designed fluted copper-tin, is a speciality of the Bordeaux region. Quite difficult to make, the canelé challenge is all about finding the perfect contrast between the crust and the inside (that has to remain wet).

 

What are canelés?

Baillardran canelés store in Bordeaux © French Moments
Baillardran canelés store in Bordeaux © French Moments

The canelé is about two inches high and is made from sugar, milk, flour, rum and vanilla. Delicious at any time of the day, it is appreciated during wine tastings and can be consumed for breakfast, a snack or as a dessert.

Although the production of the canelé began during the 17th century, the little cake became famous only in 1985, when canelé became a brand, deposited by the Brotherhood of the canelé of Bordeaux; and it is now the most eaten of all pastries in Bordeaux.

You can find some of the most “bordelais” canelés at Baillardran’s, Bordeaux; but famous names in Paris like Hermé, Fauchon or La Durée have found the canelé’s secret as well.

 

Ingredients for making canelés

Canelés de Bordeaux 09 © French Moments
Canelés from Bordeaux © French Moments
 
serves 12
  • A dozen of canelé copper tins
  • 500ml milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 egg yolks
  • ½ vanilla pod
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons of rum
  • 100g plain flour
  • 200g sugar
  • 50g butter (+ extra for greasing the tins)

 

The Method

STEP 1

Heat the milk, butter and vanilla. Bring to the boil. Then stop and infuse for 12 minutes.

STEP 2

Beat together the flour, sugar, and then add the eggs and egg yolks.
Pour in the milk and mix gently so that you get a fluid batter (similar to the crêpes batter).

STEP 3

Let the batter cool down, and then add the rum. Put it in the fridge, from one night to two days (24 hours is perfect)

STEP 4 (the following day!)

The oven is an important step. The temperature advised here may vary according to your oven. Preheat the oven to 260˚C, for 5 minutes.

STEP 5

Butter the canelé tins and then douse with sugar (so that the surface can caramelise).
Mix the batter and pour it into the tins (leave 5mm to 1cm empty from the top of the tin).

STEP 6

Put the tins in the oven for 5 minutes (still at 260˚C).
Then, reduce the temperature down to 190˚C.
Bake for a further 30 – 60 minutes, depending on your oven. Check regularly with a knife or a skewer: it should have a brown-caramelised colour, and the inside should remain wet and smooth.

Gems of Paris by French Moments

Like it? Leave a comment!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

Transparency: Some blog posts and pages may contain affiliate or sponsored links. If you are planning a trip, the use of these links helps us to run the site. There is no additional cost to you. All you have to do is click on the link and any booking you make is automatically tracked. Thank you for your support!

Escape to France with every email! Get insider insights, travel guides, cultural gems delivered and exclusive offers to your inbox twice a week. Your journey to Paris and France begins when you sign up!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER AND GET THE FREE EBOOK

20 OFFBEAT PLACES IN PARIS

Ebook 20 amazing offbeat places in Paris front cover