Kouign amann

Not for the faint-hearted (or those on a diet) ...

Known for appreciating good food, the people of Brittany are especially fond of a sweet treat or two. Pâtisseries here are like jewellers shops, filled with the goodies that Bretons call "lichouseries". King of these is the Kouign Amann, which literally means a butter cake, created in 1860 in the town of Douarnenez.

The Kouign Amann is rather like the British lardy cake but far more luxurious and flavoursome, made by layering butter with a bread-like dough and plenty of sugar to form a special flaky pastry that is gooey in the centre, crispy golden on top and caramelised around the edges.

It's not a snack for the faint-hearted, and it's sold by the weight, which gives you an idea of how seriously to take it! The very best way to enjoy a Kouign Amann is to have it just warm with a large drink of your choice. A little piece of heaven...

Traditional making of kouign amann

How a real kouign amann is made? The answer is in the video. It has been shot in 2010.