I didn't understand the love of canelés until I had one in Bordeaux where they originated. Now they hold a special place in my heart next to macarons and kouign amanns!
I fell in love with the amazing contrast of caramelized chewy outside and the fluffy, eggy center. Not to mention they taste like the best vanilla cake with a hint of rum.
There are two main canelé producers in Bordeaux with many outlets around town - La Toque Cuivrée and Baillardran. Having tried both, I preferred La Toque Cuivrée slightly more for their stronger rum flavor and better outside chew. It's also nice that the price is a third of the other brand.
Both brands make canelés in a small, medium, and large size. After many taste tests (and some more for good measure), I found that the medium size had the best ratio of outside chewy crust and soft inside.
Baillardran had notable visible specks of vanilla bean in their largest size and prominent vanilla flavor, but La Toque edged them out with their superior rum taste. Either way though, you can't go wrong.
Now if I only I could find this level of Canelé in the US! read more