A petit four (plural: petits fours, also known as mignardises, and in England, fancies) is a small bite-sized

confectionery Confectionery is the Art (skill), art of making confections, or sweet foods. Confections are items that are rich in sugar and carbohydrates, although exact definitions are difficult. In general, however, confections are divided into two bro ...

or savory appetiser. The name is French, ''petit four'' (), meaning "small oven".

History and etymology

In 18th and 19th century France, large brick or stone ovens were used to bake bread. Because the ovens took a long time to cool down after baking bread, bakers often took advantage of their stored heat for baking pastries. This process was called baking ''à petit four'' (literally "at small oven").

Types

Petits fours come in three varieties: * ''Glacé'' ("glazed"), iced or decorated tiny cakes covered in fondant or icing, such as small éclairs, and tartlets * ''Salé'' ("salted"), savory bite-sized appetizers usually served at cocktail parties or buffets * ''Sec'' ("dry"), dainty

biscuits A biscuit is a Flour, flour-based baked food item. Biscuits are typically hard, flat, and Unleavened bread, unleavened. They are usually sweet and may be made with sugar, chocolate, icing (food), icing, jam, ginger, or cinnamon. They can also ...

, baked

meringue Meringue ( , ) is a type of dessert or candy, of French cuisine, French origin, traditionally made from Whisk, whipped egg whites and sugar, and occasionally an acid, acidic ingredient such as lemon, vinegar, or potassium bitartrate, cream of t ...

s, macarons, and puff pastries In a French pâtisserie, assorted small

dessert Dessert is a course (food), course that concludes a meal; the course consists of sweet foods, such as cake, biscuit, ice cream, and possibly a beverage, such as dessert wine or liqueur. Some cultures sweeten foods that are more commonly umami, ...

s are usually called ''mignardises'', while hard, buttery biscuits are called petits fours. File:Three yellow Easter petits fours.jpg, Petit four glacé File:Pataclette.jpg, Petit four salé made of potato and cheese File:Weihnachten 2020 Weihnachtsplätzchen 34.jpg, Petit four sec with chocolate coating

History and etymology

Types

See also

References

Further reading