I'm coming in late on this one, but had to add that my daughter, a pastry chef and Francophile who lived in France, confirms that Pain au Raisin does indeed have custard. She admits to having eaten them almost every day for breakfast, both in Paris and in Brittany, and, when I visited her, I too indulged.
And it could not have been almond custard, because she has severe nut allergies and can not eat almonds. (Yes, I know, makes it difficult for a pastry chef; she sometimes has to work in latex gloves.)
Edited to include her quote: "pain au raisin. Croissant in a swirl with vanilla pastry cream and raisins. And sometimes they would add chocolate chunks too. (Pain au raisin avec chocolat). Ummmm........."
Last edited by
Carol on August 6th, 2006, 2:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.