La Mère Poulard biscuits: teatime for bon vivants

Too bad this is the last of the holiday french treats during a period where self-control takes an extended hike, but I didn't realize how fast these colorful tins would disappear from the shelves at Esselunga. Butter lovers rejoice! In Mère Poulard cookies you immediately taste le beurre - it's almost like biting into super buttery shortbread - only difference is that the galettes are thin and crispy. I vote for the salted butter caramel version with the chocolate chip right behind it. The palet, by comparison, is thicker with a tender crumb. And for those who prefer tiny cakes with their afternoon tea? Mini quatre-quarts are called as such because they're made of equal parts flour, butter, eggs and sugar - a pound cake by any other name.

The history behind the Mère Poulard establishment is a very interesting one that travelers-in-the-know will gladly point out has everything to do with a tidal island that looks like it came right out of a fairytale. While the bottom image is most likely CGI'd (screen-captured off an episode of the Merlin series), I dream about visiting this incredible UNESCO site in France's north-western coast one day.