religieuse

Religieuse is a French term with two principal meanings. In religious contexts, une religieuse is a female member of a religious order, typically a nun. The masculine form is religieux, and the word derives from Latin religio through Old French.

Religieuse is also the name of a classic French pastry. It is made from choux pastry and typically consists of two glazed rounds: a larger base and a smaller top, joined by a filling such as crème pâtissière (pastry cream) or whipped cream. The pastry is usually filled after baking and finished with a glaze of fondant or icing, often in colors or flavors that reflect the chosen filling (for example chocolate, coffee, or vanilla). The two pieces are assembled to resemble a nun in habit, which gives the dessert its name. Variants include the grande religieuse (larger version) and the petite religieuse (smaller version), as well as flavor variations and decorations used by bakeries.

Originating in Paris in the 19th century, the religious pastry became a staple of French pâtisserie and remains popular in bakers’ shops and dessert menus worldwide. It is valued for its visual presentation as well as its contrasting textures—crisp choux with smooth filling and a soft, glossy glaze. The term “religieuse” in pastry is distinct from its religious sense, though the naming reflects the pastry’s likeness to a cloistered nun’s habit.