Although it’s entirely possible to find trees growing in the wild, almonds are cultivated in Provence. This recipe for Salted Almond Praline Cake is a basic cake mix with a crunchy sweet topping. I know that I promised not to make another almond dessert, but who could resist this delicious …

Nothing Without Almonds Le Roy René factory needs some 200 metric tons of almonds annually for the production of calissons d’Aix and nougats. As almonds are one of the key ingredients in these typically Provencal sweets, a reliable supply chain is critical to the operation. In 2016, 300 almond trees, …

Almonds, olives, tomatoes, and citrus fruit are some of the culinary signatures of the Mediterranean climate. In Provence, the citrus groves are found on the Côte d’Azur near Menton. There is no question that a visit Menton one year during the Fête du Citron is on my travel bucket list. However, …

sacristains (French word) is a little harder to classify, and the origins are equally mysterious. Made with puff pastry (pâte feuilletée) layers of sugar and almonds and a quick trip to the oven make this crispy treat…heavenly

Très vite fait, très vite mangé, ce gâteau est parfait pour tenir le rythme rapide de Juin. This apricot cake is quick to make and disappear even faster. This recipe is perfect for busy summer months when the stone fruit are ripest.

Ce Gâteau de Pentecôte, très sucré est donc fait pour être partagé entre le plus de personnes possibles. Il est délicieux servi avec des fruits de saison bien juteux: fraises ou groseilles.
(This traditional cake is very sweet and meant to be shared among as many people as possible. It is delicious served with juicy seasonal fruits such as strawberries or red currants.)

Gilles Conchy is the smiling face behind the Provence Gourmet. This is his recipe for Raspberry Tart with an Almond Crust. This is an easy dessert to make. The fresh raspberries and hint of mint give it a summer feel.

Contributor blog post by Margo Lestz: The calisson is a small, distinctive, almond-shaped candy which first appeared in Aix-en-Provence in the fifteenth century, during the reign of Good King René. The following legend is often associated with its creation… A King, a Queen, and a Candy Jeanne de Laval wasn’t pleased …

Calisson d’Aix is a specialty candy from Aix en Provence made with almonds, melon and citrus paste. The actual origin of the recipe is most likely from Italy. The following recipe does not follow the same exacting industry standards, but is a fun “Sunday project” with a sweet result.

Candy might not be the reason you decide to visit Aix-en-Provence, but don’t leave town without sampling the famous Calisson d’Aix. These sweets, made with ground, local almonds (sweet and bitter) and a fruit paste blend of melon confit (preserved in sugar) and orange peel, were officially recognised as part …