Pain aux raisins facts for kids
French style pain aux raisins
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| Type | Bread |
|---|---|
| Course | Breakfast |
| Place of origin | France |
| Main ingredients | Bread, raisins, custard |
Pain aux raisins (pronounced "pan oh ray-zan") is a super tasty spiral-shaped pastry. It's often enjoyed for breakfast in France. Its name means "raisin bread" in French. People also call it escargot (pronounced "es-car-go"), which means "snail" because of its swirly shape. Sometimes, it's even called pain russe ("Russian bread"). This pastry belongs to a family of baked goods known as viennoiseries, which are pastries made in a style similar to those from Vienna, Austria.
Contents
What is Pain aux raisins?
A pain aux raisins is a special kind of pastry. In France, it's usually a variation of a croissant or a pain au chocolat. It's made with a rich, buttery dough that has been allowed to rise. This dough is then filled with sweet raisins and a creamy filling called crème pâtissière (which is a type of custard). Finally, it's rolled into its famous spiral shape.
How is it made?
The dough for pain aux raisins is similar to that used for croissants. It's a buttery, flaky dough that gets its texture from layers of butter folded into it. After the dough is prepared, it's spread with a smooth, yellow crème pâtissière. This custard is made from milk, sugar, egg yolks, and a little flour or cornstarch. Then, lots of raisins are sprinkled over the custard. The dough is carefully rolled up into a log, and then sliced into individual spirals. These spirals are baked until they are golden brown and delicious.
Different kinds of Pain aux raisins
While the French version uses a rich, buttery pastry dough, you might find different versions in other places. In many parts of Northern Europe and North America, pain aux raisins is often made with a sweeter, softer bread dough or even brioche dough. Brioche is a type of bread that's extra rich because it has a lot of butter and eggs in it. Even though the dough might be different, the yummy combination of raisins and creamy filling stays the same!
When do people eat it?
Pain aux raisins is a popular choice for breakfast. It's often part of what's called a continental breakfast. This type of breakfast usually includes baked goods like pastries, bread, jam, and coffee or juice. It's a delightful way to start the day, especially with a warm drink.
In Paris, the name pain aux raisins can also mean something a little different. It can refer to a loaf of bread made from wheat or rye flour that has raisins mixed into it. This is more like a traditional raisin bread loaf, not the spiral pastry.
See also
In Spanish: Pain aux raisins para niños
