History

Ganses are the Nicois variation on the Italian Carnival chiacchere and the French bugnes, fried sweet dough that appears for Carnaval de Nice every February. The Cuisine Nissarde label specifies orange blossom water and a knot or strip shape, with icing sugar dusted at service. Maison Auer and Patisseries LAC are the canonical winter addresses.

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Common allergens: Gluten, Egg

Make it at home

Yield 6Hands-on 30 minTotal 1 hr 30 minDifficulty Intermediate

Ingredients

  • 300g flour
  • 60g caster sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 30g butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons orange blossom water
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • Pinch salt
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Icing sugar to dust

Method

  1. Mix flour, sugar, eggs, butter, orange blossom, zest and salt into a soft dough. Rest 1 hour in the fridge.
  2. Roll the dough on a floured surface to 2mm thick. Cut into strips 3cm wide and 10cm long; cut a slit in the middle and pull one end through.
  3. Heat oil to 175C and fry the strips in small batches 30 to 60 seconds per side until golden.
  4. Drain on kitchen paper and dust generously with icing sugar while still warm.

Tip from the editors. The oil must be hot enough; ganses fried in cool oil absorb the fat and read greasy rather than crisp.

Where to eat ganses

Ganses in Nice

Maison Auer ★ 4.7

€ BakeryCandied fruits and chocolatesWalk-in only

Maison Auer on Rue Saint Francois de Paule has sold candied fruits and chocolates in Nice since 1820, two centuries under the Auer family and from 2024.

Worth the queueCandied chestnuts and mendiants

Directions

Patisseries LAC ★ 4.2

€ Bakery

Patisseries LAC on Rue Barla in Nice runs Pascal Lac's pastry and chocolate take away counter at €4-8 a piece, the value alternative to the seated tearoom.

TryPastry counter take away

Directions

Boulangerie Jeannot ★ 4.3

€ BakeryNicoise specialties and breadsWalk-in only

Boulangerie Jeannot on Rue Saint Francois de Paule in Vieux Nice runs a bright light-wood counter, breads and pastries all day plus Nicoise specialties like.

Worth the queuePissaladiere and pan bagnat

Directions

Mama Baker ★ 4.2

€€ EUR 10-18BrunchOrganic levain bakery brunch

Mama Baker on Rue de Lepante runs the Carre d'Or weekend brunch alternative to the Cours Saleya rooms, organic levain sourdough, viennoiseries and espresso.

OrderSourdough toast with eggs and avocado

Directions

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