Petit four

Petit four is a small bite-sized confectionery or savory appetizer. The name is French, petit four (French pronunciation: ​[pə.ti.fur]), meaning "small oven".

Overview

Petit fours were traditionally made in a smaller oven next to the main oven. In 19th century France, gas ovens did not exist. Instead, people cooked over an open fire. The oven was made of brick and could be heated to high temperatures for baking bread. Once the bread was finished, the oven would be allowed to cool. During this cooling period, the oven temperature would decrease to a temperature ideal for baking pastries. These pastries were called petits fours, as they were baked at a low temperature.

Types of Petit Fours

There are various types of petit fours, but the most common are the petit four sec, petit four glacé, and petit four délicat.

• Petit four sec (dry petit four) are made with puff pastry and are often filled with fruit or nuts. They are typically served at the end of a meal with coffee or tea.
• Petit four glacé (glazed petit four) are iced or decorated in some way, such as being covered in fondant or chocolate. They are often filled with a sweet filling like jam or cream.
• Petit four délicat (delicate petit four) are light and airy, often made with sponge cake and a delicate cream filling.

Preparation

The preparation of petit fours requires patience and skill, as their small size often requires intricate detail work. The process typically involves baking a thin sheet of cake, which is then cut into small squares. These squares are then filled, iced, and decorated. The petit fours are then typically chilled before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

In Popular Culture

Petit fours have been featured in various forms of media and popular culture, including books, films, and television shows. They are often associated with high tea or fancy parties due to their delicate nature and intricate designs.

See Also

• French cuisine
• Confectionery
• Patisserie
• High tea