Complete guide with hints, spangram, and all theme words for May 16's puzzle
Strands Theme of May 16 is:
Think about a specific type of establishment where skilled artisans bake golden crusts and creamy sweets, following a very specific national tradition.
Reveal letter by letter or uncover a full solution

This theme invites you to a world of sophisticated culinary delights and sweet treats. It focuses on the artistry of traditional European pastry making and delicate desserts.
Spoiler Warning
Strands answer for Bon appétit! are revealed below!
Below is the complete solution for Today's Strands. Enjoy the game!

Strands is a free daily word puzzle from The New York Times. Each day, you get a theme and a letter grid where you must find hidden words. Like Wordle and Connections, it refreshes at midnight with a new puzzle.
You get a 6×8 grid of letters. Find all theme words plus the "spangram" that spans the grid and reveals the theme. Connect letters horizontally, vertically, or diagonally to form words. Find 3 non-theme words to unlock a hint.
The NYT Strands puzzle today centers around gourmet culinary creations. To find the right path, think about items you would see displayed in an upscale dessert shop window. Check out the full Strands Hint below for more details.
This puzzle can be tricky if you aren't familiar with specific culinary terminology. Focusing on the textures and cooking styles of sweet treats will help you navigate the grid. Check out the full Strands Hint below for more details.
Try to identify common dessert categories first and see if those words appear diagonally or horizontally. The theme suggests a very specific cultural origin for these snacks. Check out the full Strands Hint below for more details.
Today's spangram spans across the center of the board, bridging the various specialized food items into a cohesive category. It defines the setting for all the other words. Check out the full Strands Hint below for more details.