Sunday, December 28, 2008

Daring Bakers: French Yule Log


Pushing the limits of Tri2Cook's nickname for myself, "the chef who never sleeps," I joined one more group - The Daring Bakers. You may have seen their work spread throughout food blogs. DB was a no brainer since I like to learn by doing, and this gives me something challenging to do each month. And what a way to start!

This month's challenge is brought to us by the adventurous Hilda from Saffron and Blueberry and Marion from Il en Faut Peu Pour Etre Heureux.
They have chosen a French Yule Log by Flore from Florilege Gourmand



For those of you who know my preference (dessert sadomasichism!), this was a perfect launch of a new relationship for me and DB. Here is what I had to prepare:

1) Dacquoise Biscuit
2) Mousse
3) Ganache Insert
4) Praline (Crisp) Insert
5) Creme Brulee Insert
6) Icing

No problem - I said. Done them all before, except the praline insert. And so I did:

This was the first time I had included a creme brulee inside of a pastry, and it worked very well. Once all of the components were set up inside of an encasing of mousse, they were thrown in the freezer to harden.

I was happy to make this log, since the more commonly known version with rolled cake and buttercream is just not my thing. This was also one of the desserts I served at the recent cater for a local doc.

Once it was frozen, I applied the poured glaze, did a bit of piping to the top and cut away!

As if often the case, I didn't get a chance to try this so I can only assume it was outstanding based on the response from the docs. I'll be sure to keep this in my repertoire.

Here are a couple of other variations I did for customers




39 comments:

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

What great creations! Perfect and so pretty!

Cheers,

Rosa

Anonymous said...

Wow, you are brave. Catering a desert you have never tried. Luckily it was a wonderful recipe and looks amazing in your photo's! Happy Holidays!

Hilda said...

I think it's fantastic that you made so many in such a short amount of time and they look scrumptious. I'm glad Marion and I could contribute something to your repertoire. Have a Happy New Year!

Sara said...

This looks really beautiful! :)

Unknown said...

Looks beautiful! I love the decorations...and not many docs are too picky when it comes to their desserts! They like to eat!!!! :-)

Anonymous said...

Your buche looks amazing! Well done! :D Love the variations too. Much nicer than mine lol

raquel said...

Awesome!

Tri2Cook said...

Nice one Rob. Looks great, sounds tasty. I'm especially loving that creme brulee layer, never thought of doing that.

The Irreverent Cook said...

Welcome to the Daring Bakers! Your cakes look awesome, I like the little one =D

Amy said...

Welcome! A wonderful job on your first challenge. Happy New Year,

Amy

Dewi said...

How beautiful and so perfect! I also like the round version very much.
Cheers,
Elra

Aparna Balasubramanian said...

Welcome to the DB community and you've done a wonderful job with your log.
Have to hand it to you for not tatsing it.:) Btw, it was fantastic. I strongly recommend you make it once more just to see how it tastes.

Best wishes for the festive season and a Happy New Year.

Mrs Ergül said...

Wow! I like how your glaze looks!

Judy said...

Great job on your first challenge! I always find it fascinating to see how they all turn out. Tomorrow morning I will glaze mine, then post.

Dharm said...

This looks fantastic! You didnt taste it?? Wow, I would never have the confidence to serve something that I hadnt tasted... Well done!

Gfron1 said...

Thanks everyone. I remember a debate at eGullet a year or so ago about whether you can serve food without tasting it. The camp was split with me being on the side that said, "sure." I tasted all of the scraps and rely on my mental taste library to know if things are right, and if they can go together. And in the end I did get to taste one...taste...ha! Okay, I had two massive pieces. :)

Renee said...

Congratulations on your first challenge. Your glaze looks so shiny and beautiful. Elegant log!

Tyler Connoley said...

As I remember, Rob had two big pieces, the rest of us had a piece, and then we accidently knocked it off the table and onto the floor. It was so good that we scooped it up and continued to pick at it. (Well, I did, anyway.)

I thought the small ones, made for two people, were the best looking of the bunch, although the round one was quite stunning too.

silverrock said...

Woah! Your yule-log looks delicious! I can just taste all the chocolatey goodness right now! Great job on this month's challenge and keep up the amazing bakes!

Ally said...

Congrats on your first challenge, yours looks perfect!

Anonymous said...

Welcome! Your yule log looks delicious.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful job - I love the minis!!

Anonymous said...

How beautiful!! Great job, and I am so impressed that you did different versions.

Leanne said...

Aw, thanks! I really like how well-documented and well-decorated yours is. Great job.

Suzana Parreira said...

Great job! I love the little one - it looks adorable.

Happy Holidays!

Anonymous said...

Love that shiny glaze.. Wouldn't mind having one of the smaller versions :)

Anonymous said...

Looks fantastic! I like the little individual one too.. very cute!

Chahira Daoud said...

What a lovely log!!
Great job, it looks amazing dear!!
Wish you all the best and happy new year!!

Unknown said...

Beautiful - the elements are so perfect and I like the miniature version.

Anonymous said...

It looks wonderful! I love the smaller version too!

Laura Rebecca said...

You did a wonderful job. Congratulations on completing your first challenge with flying colors!

Y said...

Oh, they all look great! This recipe is a keeper in my books too :)

Lisa magicsprinkles said...

Beautifule yule!
Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful first challenge!
Your log looks just perfect, love the chocolate decoration.

breadchick said...

Well done on your first challenge.

Holly said...

Congratulations on your first challenge! So well done!

Barbara Bakes said...

Perfection!

Gretchen Noelle said...

Gorgeous job on this. Love the mini one you did as well. Welcome to the Daring Bakers!

Anonymous said...

Beautifully done! Welcome to the group.