Sweet pastry

Sweet pastry is a broad category of baked goods made from enriched dough — typically containing butter, sugar, eggs, and flour — designed to deliver a sweet, indulgent eating experience. This category covers everything from delicate French pâtisserie like eclairs and millefeuille to hearty rum babas, syrup-soaked baklava, and filled croissants.

What distinguishes sweet pastry from bread or savory baked goods is the higher proportion of fat and sugar in the dough, along with the addition of sweet fillings, glazes, creams, or chocolate. Common dough types used in sweet pastry include shortcrust (pâte sucrée), choux, filo, puff, and enriched yeast doughs. Mastering temperature control, lamination, and cream preparation are the core skills for producing high-quality sweet pastries — whether in a home kitchen or a professional bakery.

Discover more about sweet pastry — from classic recipes and dough techniques to filling ideas and decoration tips — in the articles below.