I've been slowly making my way through our Paris treats, and I had to share these beauties with you that I got from A la Mère de Famille in Paris. Called "calissons" (or marzipan candy), these little confections are seriously in the "too pretty to eat" category. I've been staring at them for weeks and finally took a bite. They're dense, chewy, and sweet with a nice almond flavor—similar to other marizipan candies I've had before but not overly sweet. I also think they make really pretty inspiration for sugar cookies painted in pretty pearlescent tops…
{Photo by Oh Joy. Similar tray from Jayson Home, napkin by A Sunny Afternoon.}
Wow…they really look awesome and I would feel sorry if I chew them. Great Snack.
This look fantastic!!! 🙂
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http://mademoisellejuliet.blogspot.com/
http://mademoisellejuliet.blogspot.com/
they are delicious. They are just called ‘calissons’ or ‘Calisson d’Aix’, after the town they are from. The ‘réglette’ is the plastic box they come in.
they’re really almost too pretty to eat. ALMOST.
http://semiweeklyeats.blogspot.com/2013/10/cake-in-five-minutes.html
I see party favors! Yum!
So pretty! But not too pretty not to eat…they sound delicious!
Gorgeous! I love the pearlescent colours, they’re so pretty. I’ve been just loving your Paris series, your photographs are always so wonderful.
http://www.ciderwithrosie.com
You always have the prettiest, most unique snacks!
This is sooo cute! Would be sad to eat them!
http://www.blushingincolor.com
Totally too pretty to eat! so different, never seen anything like them.
My favorite calissons come from the company, La Cure Gourmande. They have a handful of the shops throughout Europe. And interestingly enough traditionally they are made with almond, candied orange peel, and crystalized melon… which is just a melon boiled in sugar until it’s transparent that looks an awful lot like a pumpkin. I pick up a bunch while I’m there, but I actually think I’ll just start searching for that candied melon/squash so I can make my own! Thank you for sharing, because now I remember!!
Calissons are by far my favorite treats and I can say by experience they vary in quality. Artisanal and made with the right proportions of blanched almonds, candied orange peels and candied melon is what one should look for. There’s a small shop in Provence that makes the best calissons I ever had:
http://www.histoiresucree.com/product_pages/calissons_lilamand.html
I just got that cookbook (a la mere de famille) and was thinking about maiing callissons for xmas presents! they are gorgeous!
These are gorgeous! (They’d be really pretty as earrings!)
The first thing I thought when I saw the pic was, “too pretty to eat!” I’m sure I’d figure out a way, though… hehe
It’s been ages since I ate them, but I’ve never seen them in these bright wonderful colours. The regular ones are just white, these are just too pretty to eat!
Parisian treats are so often too pretty to eat! I will snack on ONE and save the rest. My favorites are mini macarons, I think.