Mini Pets de Soeurs
- Annemarie Bolduc
- Dec 21, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 10, 2025
A simple and classic holiday treat from Québec that never fails to bring joy and laughter!
Okay... let's just start with the words "pets de soeurs". It means nuns' farts. Don't worry; they smell and taste pretty good! This is another funny French Canadian dish named with a vague origin. Most sources say that Québec and Acadian nuns used to prepare them with leftover pie dough. When the classic "tourtières" (meat pies) are prepared for the Christmas or New Year's festive tables, very often, the the pets de soeurs are cooked for the occasion as well. Like a smaller version of a cinnamon roll, they are rolled with butter and brown sugar or maple syrup. Once sliced, they are topped with more sugar and baked in the oven until golden.
Mini Pets-de-Soeurs • Photography © Bottle and Brush Studio 2021
These little brioche twirls are a great way to not waste the offcuts of pie dough, but there is no need to make pies if you want to make some pets on their own. I use 2 pie shells to make 24 mini pets, the perfect size for a party buffet. They keep well at room temperature, so they can be made the day before the party. They are pretty simple and affordable to make. As a sweetener and for flavour, I use a mixture of brown sugar and maple syrup and top with a bit of cinnamon. Exploring recipes from home during the holidays has always helped me get through this seasonal homesickness. It's only on the other side of the world, in Australia, that I made my first pets... My husband loves them (yes, keep laughing), especially that variant that I tried once, adding a bit of Vegemite to the recipe!
RECIPE
My family-style recipe has now found its place in my cookbook, Québec Kitchen Abroad.
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