Croquembouche

The croquembouche is a tall conical showpiece built from small filled choux buns bound together with caramel, often decorated with spun sugar threads and sugared almonds. Served at weddings, christenings and communions in France, it is the traditional ceremonial dessert par excellence. Its name, literally crunch in the mouth, refers to the hardened caramel that cracks under the teeth as each bun is pulled free.