Piste de Train Mignardises (Printable version)

An elegant French dessert platter of mini choux, financiers, and berry tartlets arranged in a playful train track design.

# What you need:

→ Choux Pastry

01 - 1/4 cup water
02 - 1/4 cup whole milk
03 - 3 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
04 - 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
05 - Pinch of salt
06 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
07 - 2 large eggs

→ Chocolate Ganache

08 - 3.5 oz dark chocolate (60–70% cocoa), chopped
09 - 1/3 cup heavy cream

→ Mini Financiers

10 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
11 - 1/3 cup almond flour
12 - 3 tbsp icing sugar
13 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
14 - Pinch of salt
15 - 2 large egg whites

→ Fruit Tartlets

16 - 3.5 oz sweet shortcrust pastry (pâte sucrée)
17 - 1/3 cup pastry cream
18 - 1 1/2 oz assorted fresh berries (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries)

→ Decoration

19 - 2 tbsp powdered sugar, for dusting
20 - 1 tbsp edible gold leaf or silver pearls (optional)

# Steps to follow:

01 - Set the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - 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 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Transfer to a bowl, let cool slightly, then beat in eggs one at a time until smooth and glossy.
03 - Pipe small rounds onto a baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until puffed and golden. Cool completely.
04 - Heat heavy cream until it just begins to simmer. Pour over chopped dark chocolate, let stand for 1 minute, then stir until glossy and smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature.
05 - Melt butter until golden brown (beurre noisette). Let cool slightly. In a bowl, combine almond flour, icing sugar, all-purpose flour, and salt. Whisk in egg whites, then fold in the browned butter.
06 - Spoon batter into mini financier molds or mini muffin tins. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden.
07 - Roll out sweet shortcrust pastry and cut into small rounds. Press into mini tartlet molds. Prick the bases and bake blind at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool completely.
08 - Fill cooled tartlet shells with pastry cream and top with assorted fresh berries.
09 - Arrange choux puffs filled or dipped with ganache, mini financiers, and tartlets on a large platter resembling a winding train track. Dust with powdered sugar and decorate with edible gold leaf or silver pearls if desired.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • Intricate yet approachable, perfect for impressing guests with a creative dessert presentation.
  • A harmonious variety of textures and flavors echoes the artistry of French patisserie.
  • Vegetarian-friendly and suitable for a range of occasions, from tea parties to festive celebrations.
  • Customizable with seasonal fruits and alternative cream fillings for personal flair.
02 -
  • Use a piping bag with a round tip for consistent choux sizes to ensure even baking and assembly.
  • Cool the ganache completely before dipping to maintain a glossy finish without melting the choux.
  • Brown the butter slowly for financiers to develop a deep nutty flavor without bitterness.
  • For crisp tartlets, bake blind with pie weights or dried beans to avoid puffing.
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