18 of the most commonly mispronounced dessert names — and how to actually pronounce them (2024)

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Macaron

Macarons are small French cookie sandwiches made from meringue and almond flour, and they often come in bright colors. However, while you've probably seen these desserts at least once or twice, many people mispronounce them by calling them "macaroons," which are actually a different kind of cookie made from shredded coconut.

Incorrect pronunciation: mah-kuh-ROON

Correct pronunciation: mah-kuh-RON

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Beignet

Popular in Paris and New Orleans, these fried doughnut-like desserts come with powdered sugar. However, while you may want to pronounce the "g" in this dessert's name, that's incorrect.

Incorrect pronunciation: beg-NAY or beg-NET

Correct pronunciation: ben-YE

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Crêpes

Derived from the Latin word for curled — "crispus" — the accent in the word "crêpes" actually tells you exactly how to pronounce the "e": with an "eh" sound rather than an "ay" sound.

Incorrect pronunciation: KRAYPS

Correct pronunciation: KREHPS

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Dulce de leche

Dulce de leche is popular across the world, but you still might be mispronouncing this popular dessert. Preply reminded us that when pronouncing "dulce de leche," keep the "e" letters open and don't pronounce them as "ee."

Incorrect pronunciation: dul-che-de-leh-chay

Correct pronunciation: dool-say-de-leh-chay

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Kouign-amann

This French pastry is known for its flaky, buttery layers and sweet, crispy, and caramelized exterior. However, it can be difficult to pronounce at first glance. Remember that the first part of this royal dessert sounds like "queen."

Incorrect pronunciation: Coo-gun Ay-mun

Correct pronunciation: Kween Uh-mawn

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Croissant

While croissants are popular breakfast pastries in the United States, many continue to mispronounce this classic French pastry. To avoid looking like a tourist if you ever find yourself in Paris, remember that the "r" and "t" in "croissant" are silent.

Incorrect pronunciation: cross-aunt

Correct pronunciation: kwah-sahn

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Mascarpone

Pronounce this dessert the correct way by letting this Italian cheese's name roll off the tongue and giving it a little flair.

Incorrect pronunciation: mas-car-pohn

Correct pronunciation: mah-skar-poh-neh

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Nougat

While you might have grown up pronouncing this nut-filled dessert with a hard "t" at the end, that's actually not the correct way of saying it.

Incorrect pronunciation: new-gat

Correct pronunciation: noo-gahh

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Nutella

This fan-favorite hazelnut-and-chocolate spread is commonplace in many people's cabinets, but its French name might be a little bit difficult to pronounce. Rather than pronouncing it like the "nut" in "hazelnut," Nutella actually sounds like "Nootella."

Incorrect pronunciation: nut-ella

Correct pronunciation: noo-tell-uh

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Pain au chocolat

The correct pronunciation of this tasty French pastry shouldn't be painful! Replace "pain" with "pan," soften the "ch" to make a "sh" sound, and ignore the "t" on the tail end of the phrase to sound like a true Parisian.

Incorrect pronunciation: payn-oh-choc-o-laht

Correct pronunciation: pan-oh-shoh-koh-lah

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Canelé

Remember to draw out the "e" at the end of this rum-and-vanilla-flavored French pastry's name.

Incorrect pronunciation: Cuh-nell-ee

Correct pronunciation: Cah-null-ay

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Madeleine

While it might be tempting to pronounce these French cookies like the popular girl's name "Madeline," you should ignore the "e" found in the middle of the word. There are only two syllables in this dessert's name, not three.

Incorrect pronunciation: Maah-duh-line

Correct pronunciation: Mad-lenn

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Clafoutis

This French pie, often made with black cherries and other fruits, can be intimidating to pronounce correctly.

Incorrect pronunciation: Klaw-phoo-tiss

Correct pronunciation: Klah-phoo-tee

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Crème brûlée

Crème brûlée is a creamy custard dessert that's often regarded as a symbol of decadence and indulgence, with an equally fancy name. While English speakers might be tempted to pronounce the end of this name with a long "e," it actually sounds like "ay."

Incorrect pronunciation: Kreem Brew-lee

Correct pronunciation: Krehm Brew-lay

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Éclair

This chocolate-covered pastry's name is short but often mispronounced. To get it right, avoid elongating the first "e" and remember that this light and fluffy dessert rhymes with "air."

Incorrect pronunciation: Ee-klar

Correct pronunciation: Eh-klair

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Maraschino cherries

While these cherries are popular in many desserts, people still seem to get the pronunciation wrong. Remember to replace "shee" with "ski" to get it right.

Incorrect pronunciation: ma-ra-shee-no

Correct pronunciation: ma-re-ski-no

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Petit four

These colorful and uniquely designed desserts are often tiny, hence the use of the French word "petit." To nail the pronunciation, forget the hard "t" at the end of "petit" and slightly elongate the "for" sound so that it sounds like "door."

Incorrect pronunciation: peh-teet for

Correct pronunciation: puh-tee foor

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Palmier

These French desserts resemble the wings of a butterfly or a palm leaf, which is where their name derives from. To get the pronunciation right, don't pronounce the "r" and instead use the "ay" sound.

Incorrect pronunciation: pal-mee-ayr

Correct pronunciation: pal-me-ay