The kouign-amann is a delicious, buttery Breton cake popular in French pâtisseries and Japanese bakeries. This round, multi-layered pastry literally means ‘bread and butter’ in Breton, a language spoken in the Brittany region of France. First popularized in 1860 by Yves-René Scordia, this caramelized cake quickly became a staple of pâtisseries. Read on to find out where in North Jersey you can find kouign-amann, otherwise known as ‘the fattiest pastry in all of Europe.’
Balthazar Bakery | 214 S Dean Street, Englewood
Balthazar Bakery in Englewood serves freshly baked breads and French desserts. Its variety of heavenly viennoiseries such as the kouign-amann are a great way to start any morning. It also have a New York location in Soho.
CHOC O PAIN French Bakery + Café | Multiple Locations
CHOC O PAIN makes all its bread the traditional European way with just four ingredients —- flour, water, leaven, and a pinch of salt. Its petit kouign-amann, also known as kouignette, is available in blueberry or roasted pineapple. It has two Jersey City locations and two Hoboken storefronts.
Read More: Portuguese + Latin Bakeries You Should Visit in Newark
Délice Macarons | 19 Eastman Street, Cranford
(Photo credit: @delice__macarons)
Délice Macarons’ co-owners Pierre Chahine and Raja Iqdeimat bring a little taste of France to Cranford. Its assortment of macarons and croissant sandwiches satisfy every craving, but make sure to try the kouign-amann — it has a wonderful crunch. Délice Macarons also has a location on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
Fleur de Sel | 265 Main Street, Chatham
Fleur de Sel is conventionally located in downtown Chatham just a quick walk from the train station. Everything here — from the eclairs to the macarons — is made from scratch in the kitchen. Grab one of its kouign-amann and pair it with a hot or cold beverage.
Le French Dad Boulangerie | 10 Church Street, Montclair
(Photo credit: @lefrenchdadboulangerie)
This family-run artisanal bakery uses only natural ingredients in its French pastries and breads. With so many decadent desserts to choose from, you can’t just get one. Its rich and tasty kouign-amann is perfect to pair with locally-made Joe Tea. It even has kouign-amann tote bags and hats.
Mo & Jay Pastry | 44 Main Street Suite 1, Little Falls
Mo & Jay Pastry, located in downtown Little Falls, has so many French delicacies to choose from. We recommend ordering a kouign-amann, pairing it with an iced latte, and enjoying a stroll around the downtown or the Morris Canal Greenway.
Petite B Bakery | 200 61st Street, West New York
(Photo credit: @bakerypetite_b)
Petite B Bakery located near West New York’s Town Center has so many fresh-baked pastries. Sit back in their outside seating, relax, and enjoy a kouign-amann. They are also a short walk away from Donnelly Memorial which has a great view of Midtown Manhattan.
Pierre & Michel French Bakery | 95 Broadway, Elmwood Park + 38 E Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood
(Photo credit: @pierre_michel_bakery)
This splendid French bakery has two locations in Bergen County. Its Ridgewood and Elmwood Park storefronts showcase an assortment of fine desserts and pastries, including kouign-amann — which sometimes even has a caramel filling.
23 Skiddoo Cafe | 33 Carteret Street, Bloomfield
(Photo credit: @23skiddoocafe)
23 Skiddoo Cafe in Bloomfield is just a short walk from the Watsessing Park, and its kouign-amann is sweet and extra buttery. In addition to this classic Breton cake, 23 Skiddoo’s also has cruffins, danishes, and scones.
See More: Where to Find Gluten-Free Baked Goods in Hoboken + Jersey City
Sook Pastry | 24 Broad Street, Ridgewood
(Photo credit: @sookpastry)
Keum Sook Park took an interest in baking while sampling her mother’s decadent desserts in her native Korea. She took her passion with her and studied at the Institute of Culinary Education and the French Culinary Institute in NYC. In 2011, she hopped over the Hudson and started Sook Pastry in Ridgewood. The menu is divine, showcasing crepes both savory and sweet — and of course — the delicious kouign-amann.
The Corner | 155 Grove Street, Montclair
The Corner, conveniently situated on the corner of Walnut and Grove, is a Montclair breakfast classic. You can order its kouign-amann solo or play your luck and see if you can taste one when you order its Pastry Board. The crunch is immaculate, but don’t forget a drink! The Corner has house-made juices, tea, and more.
