It's not what we were expecting, but we are 100% here for her sweet choice.
This Is What Marie Antoinette Had for Breakfast Every Day
Published on Apr. 04, 2025
Marie Antoinette might be one of the most well-known historical figures of all time. Hopefully by now you know that she never really said “let them eat cake,” but she still has a reputation for being a pretty indulgent queen.
Historical records are usually pretty sparse, even for famous people, but in the case of Marie Antoinette, we really lucked out. One of her ladies-in-waiting, Madame Campan, published detailed memoirs that included a wealth of information about the famous queen’s daily habits.
While it’s true that Marie Antoinette loved gambling and shopping, she had relatively simple food preferences. She definitely had a sweet tooth, though, and satisfied that craving every morning. While contemporary royal Kate Middleton has a pretty typical breakfast favorite, I have to say, Marie Antoinette’s preference sounds way more fun.
What did Marie Antoinette have for breakfast every day?
The queen loved to start her day with a piping hot mug of hot chocolate! Although this might not strike you as being particularly breakfast-y, this was a staple at the time. And, in fact, it’s still something that a lot of French people enjoy in the morning. When I was studying abroad in France, my host mother would make me a bowl of hot chocolate every morning to dip my croissants in. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was basically replicating what Marie Antoinette had!
The hot chocolate recipe that was served at Versailles was a little different from the powdered mixes that we might use today. To make it, you melt down equal parts chocolate and water in a double boiler. Once the chocolate is melted, reduce the heat and add in one egg yolk, gently stirring until it’s all incorporated. The result is a lightly cooked yolk that adds an additional layer of creaminess to the mixture.
Marie Antoinette would enjoy this concoction with pastries and fruit, just like I did some 200-odd years later. All things considered, it’s a pretty accessible meal from the fancy royal court!
