Every winter, it's the same ritual: the windows of Pain d'Antan are decorated with lights, the ovens are turned on earlier... and a sweet smell of butter and sugar fills the workshops.

There's no doubt about it: cougnous are back!

These small brioche buns shaped like swaddled babies (a symbol of sharing and tenderness) mark the arrival of the festive season.

Four kinds of happiness

Each cougnou is unique, handmade in the purest baking tradition.

From 29 November, you will find four delicious recipes in all our shops, each available in three sizes to satisfy all tastes.

The plain cougnou, symbolising authentic flavour and rich butter, is available in 90 g for £2.80, 180 g for £3.90, and 500 g for £9.50.

For those who love a sweet crunch, the sugar cougnou is available in 90 g for £2.90, 180 g for £4.10, and 500 g for £10.20.

Traditionalists will also enjoy the sugar and raisin cougnou, a recipe inspired by those of our grandmothers. It is available at the same price: 90 g for £2.90, 180 g for £4.10, and 500 g for £10.20.

Finally, for those with a sweet tooth (or the most mischievous elves), the chocolate cougnou is available in 90 g for £2.95, 180 g for £4.25, and 500 g for £10.30.

Available from 29 November to 31 December in all our bakeries and patisseries.

A Belgian tradition to savour

The cougnou is much more than just a brioche: it is a symbol of Belgian Christmas, passed down from generation to generation.

Once given to children on Saint Nicholas Day, it remains a staple of the December holidays, to be shared at breakfast, as a snack, or with a cup of hot chocolate after the Christmas market.

And let's face it... it's hard to resist for long!