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As the Paris Olympics have wrapped up and the world has moved on from the track, pool, and courts, the echoes of the games still resonate. The competitions were nothing short of spectacular—highlights included the mesmerizing women’s gymnastics routines, the University of Arkansas assistant coach clinching his third gold in shot put, the thrilling men’s 4×100 swimming relay, and the impressive synchronized divers who earned our first medals of the games. And, of course, who could forget the unique behind-the-scenes commentary from Snoop Dogg?
Paris often evokes images of the Eiffel Tower, culinary delights with Julia Child, dining al fresco at a charming café, leisurely strolls to a quaint bookstore, and those irresistible pastries. Parisian pastries truly are in a league of their own!
As we reminisce about these cultural facets of Paris and celebrate our Arkansas athletes’ achievements, why not embrace a touch of Parisian flair right here at home? Join us on an Arkansas Bakeries Tour and savor the local treats that might just bring a bit of that Parisian magic to you!
What are traditional French pastries?
When thinking about traditional French pastries, three immediately come to mind: croissant, pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant), and eclair. Others may include a tarte tatin (apple tart) or Crème Brûlée. Many American restaurants serve both desserts – even with some cream or ice cream on top!
A traditional croissant is a crescent-shaped pastry made from a yeast-based dough that is then rolled and folded several times to create layers. Croissants are typically served plain but can be filled with chocolate, cheese or other fillings.
An eclair is an oblong pastry made from choux dough filled with flavored cream and then topped with chocolate glaze. Éclairs are often served for dessert or as a snack with coffee.
Brioche bread, an eggy bread typically used for French toast or breakfast dishes, is also very common among French bakeries. Variations sometimes appear in a braided form with chocolate spread or fruit fillings and in America, we see it at many grocery stores in hamburger or hot dog bun varieties. The soft nature of the break makes it an easy choice for sandwiches.
10 Arkansas Bakeries Offering Pastries
Honeywheat Bakery | Gentry | website
How many businesses owe their summer foot traffic to social media? Honeywheat sure tops the list for 2024. This bakery’s recent move to a historic Main Street property gave it plenty of reasons to draw attention, and people are flocking in for their custom-made Walnut Creek sandwiches on housemade bread and pastries.
Ludwig’s Bakery | Arkadelphia | website
While the recipes are authentically German, it’s a bakery that makes you feel like you stepped off a cobblestone street and straight into an authentic European bakery. One where no preservatives are used, and a fresh bake happens regularly. Traditional sourdough, country white, Roggenbrot and Brötchen are made twice daily at Ludwig’s. Treats like apple fennel bread, sausage rolls, cinnamon rolls, napoleons and cream puffs rotate. Special requests and catering orders are options as their new business location helps them serve more people.
Challalujah Bakery | Centerton
Sometimes called a little bit of NYC in NWA, this traditional Jewish bakery serves the softest bread loaves and pastries. They are known as an excellent place for dairy-free and keto-friendly treats and conventional Jewish bread, just like the owner had growing up in Brooklyn. Adaptability has been their key with architectural changes to an 1860s main street building, opening one month before the Covid-19 pandemic, creating the squirrel mascot based on a Bentonville festival, and making Grandma Marrs bread in honor of their next-door neighbors, the Marrs Mercantile.
Blackberry Market | North Little Rock | website
Opened in 2022, this Argenta District bakery took social media by storm. But they literally cornered the market on lunch plates, to-go dinners, charcuterie catering cups and, of course, a refreshing blackberry lemonade. However, the dining environment is its best asset. A welcomed spot to meet a friend for a scone and matcha or a cozy reading corner with a cookie and a hand-pored latte. Soups, cinnamon rolls, pressed paninis and chicken potpie. They really want you to leave happy!
The Croissanterie | Little Rock | website
It is everything you are thinking right now – an entire menu wrapped in croissant love. I know you can smell the flaky layers of fluffy, buttery dough that waft through the air as you enter their restaurants, quickly birthed from a food truck launched in Nov. 2020. The Arkansas chefs created a menu for daily dining and monthly supper clubs where a six-course dinner combines a traditional French menu with southern cuisine and seasonal ingredients.
Traditional Panaderias | Across the State
While they are typically part of Latin culture, panaderias offer the best of all worlds: sweet breads and loaf treats ready to go. Many like to purchase from these stores because you can buy a bag of pastries or individual conchas, turnovers, croissants, or braided breads. Some popular destinations include Sandy’s in Jonesboro, Panaderia Vega in Rogers, Angela’s Bakery in Springdale, La Colmena in De Queen, Dos Caminos in Hope, and Panaderia Santiago in Glenwood.
Cafe mi Amor | Hot Springs | website
While much of the menu leans Cuban, the decadent cinnamon roll menu is straight from heaven. You can keep it simple with the salted caramel pecan rolls. But why do that when you could have Nutty Buddy cinnamon rolls, paradise coconut rolls, Nutella banana rolls, or peanut butter and jelly rolls? And they remember the savory bites with mushroom bacon Swiss or maple bacon rolls.
The Downtown Bakery | Siloam Springs | website
You know a bakery is good when all the stores around it asks if you’ve been to the bakery yet as you check out your antiques and boutique finds. The Downtown Bakery is a testament to hard work, preserving history, and connecting to contemporary customers. Determination, creativity, and whipped cream keep these ladies going, and their fridge displays are full of beautiful treats – a perfect stop on a shopping day or after school.
Community Bakery | Little Rock | website
A Little Rock staple since 1947, Community Bakery is a cornerstone restaurant stop in Capitol City. Their seasonal pastries and daily sandwiches are always a perfect bite. They are the perfect after-school snack, birthday party treat, or easy place to meet up with friends or work before a downtown meeting. They have all the French treats covered: hand pies, Key lime tarts, and just about any design you can think of to put on a cookie!
Jacob’s Well Coffeehouse and Bakery | Camden | website
Exactly what you want from a quaint neighborhood bakery: you can grab the perfect cup of coffee and sit at the counter as the bakers complete the day’s pastries using fresh garden ingredients. Eat a cinnamon roll, bite of cake, or quiche while you smell bread baking and watch moms and children find sweet treats. It’s hard to step in and not walk out with a bag of bread for the week!
Serenity Farm Bread | Leslie | story
While many flock this way for beautiful bread loaves, the pastry counter is full of gems bedazzled with fruits, chocolate and buttery bits, all adorned with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Choose from almond or chocolate croissants, cream cheese Danishes and sticky buns. Other treasures like fruit tarts, creme Brule, and chocolate eclairs also offer delights.
Eating pastries while we watch athletes run around the track feels ironic, but the love for French treats doesn’t have to end when the games are over. Here are two easy ways to make chocolate croissants at home:
Check out these recipes from the opening games as you watch the remainder of the Paris games.
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