You know how to fold a fancy napkin, the proper way to slice Brie and even how to make coq au vin. But are you totally embarrassing yourself when you try to order the crème brûlée from that elegant restaurant down the street? Here, ten French desserts you’re probably saying wrong.
10 French Desserts You're Probably Mispronouncing
Published Aug 29, 2017
ERIN MCDOWELL
Crepes
The wrong way: Kraypz
The right way: Krehpz
Life lesson: If you want to sound fancy, say it the French way and roll the “r” a bit.
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Crème Brûlée
The wrong way: Kreem Brew-lee
The right way: Krehm Brew-lay
Don’t let all the crazy accents scare you.
Robertobinetti70/Getty Images
Petit Four
The wrong way: Puh-teet For
The right way: Puh-tee Foor
They are petite… So we’ll take four.
nata_vkusidey/Getty Images
Madeleine
The wrong way: Maah-duh-line
The right way: Mad-lenn
Not the small girl who walked in two straight lines.
edenexposed/Getty Images
Éclair
The wrong way: Ee-klar
The right way: Eh-klayr
As in “these chocolate-filled éclairs are très magnifique, eh?”
Stephanie Frey/Getty Images
Macaron
The wrong way: Mack-uh-roon
The right way: Mack-ron
Not to be mistaken for the coconut cookies with the extra “o.”
RELATED: How to Make Dreamy, 5-Ingredient French Meringue Cookies
noblige/Getty Images
Kouign-amann
The wrong way: Coo-gun Ay-mun
The right way: Kween Uh-mawn
As in “Yasss, kween. These pastries are très bon.”
Ulyashka/Getty Images
Canelé
Beignet
The wrong way: Bayg-net
The right way: Ben-yay
As in “Yay! We’re going to NOLA to eat beignets.”
wmaster890/Getty Images
Clafoutis
The wrong way: Klaw-phoo-tiss
The right way: Klah-phoo-tee
It’s a traditional dessert of black cherries covered in flan and confectioners’ sugar.
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