What Rolls Down Stairs, Alone or in Pairs?
ITS LOG LOG LOG! I’m going to assume that 99% of you have no idea what I’m referring to. It’s Ren & Stimpy, people! :)
Anyway, now that I’ve had my silly little trip down memory lane, lets discuss my Buche de Noel or Yule Log… This is my very first challenge with the DARING BAKERS, which I’m so excited to be a part of! What a fabulous challenge to start with too. This challenge was hosted by Ivonne, Cream Puffs in Venice and Lis, La Mia Cucina, who are the founders of The Daring Bakers.
I made the genoise as per the recipe, but folded in a little (2 tbsp) melted butter at the end. I find that makes for a more tender cake. I also added just a splash of vanilla extract with the melted butter. The buttercream didn’t look dark enough for me, so I added a little cocoa powder (about 1/8 c) that I made into a paste with a teaspoon or so of water. I used rum and almond extract to flavor it. Due to time restraints, I filled the cake with the same buttercream, but added a little more rum… mmmm. :) Before I filled and rolled the cake, I brushed it with some vanilla flavored simple syrup to add another layer of flavor and moisture.
I unfortunately had issues with the buttercream, as my kitchen was way too hot. Gotta love that South Florida heat in December. So I put it in the fridge and stirred every few minutes. Of course, it then got too cold. Oh Poo! But really, its OK… I just pulled out my handy dandy flame thrower (aka propane torch) and warmed the side of the bowl as it whipped. This action simultaneously turned on and terrified my husband. The ‘torching the bowl’ method is by far the quickest and easiest way to mend a broken buttercream. It was perfectly whippy and smooth in a matter of minutes. Fantastic!
I decided not to do the meringue as I didn’t want to fight with the heat and humidity. Plus I love marzipan. Really love it. Could eat gobs of it. I’ve never actually made it before, as I always bought ready made marzipan. It was really great. The flavor was awesome, and the texture was just like what I’m used to. Again, due to time restraints, I only made the mushrooms. If I had a little more time, I would have made marzipan holly berries and leaves. I hope to have more time to devote to the next challenge!
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Such lovely marzipan mushrooms! Great job!
Looks great! This was my first Daring bakers challenge too; it was fun! :-) Your marzipan mushrooms are so cute!
Howdy. Beautiful job on the challenge. I too will be posting my creation soon, but I’m certainly inspired by yours. Well done.
Beautiful job on your log roll! Your pictures are great. It’s fun to see everyone’s different versions. This was my first challenge!!
I love the way you presented your Yule Log… it’s so modern-looking and beautiful!
Your presentation and photos look beautiful and I love your blow torch idea….good way of saving the butter cream.
its fairylike your yule log!!it was so much fun doing this challenge!! happy holidays!!
wonderful job on your first DB challenge! I love the marzipan mushrooms in particular. I still need to see if I manage to fit in the challenge tomorrow!
Wow. Congratulations and welcome. Your yule log and the adorable mushrooms that accompany it are stunning. I’m glad you’re part of the group… I can see I’m going to learn LOTS from you in the challenges to come.
Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy new year!
Looks great. I thought about leaving the end of my log like you have so it looked like a cut end but my cake didn’t roll as well as yours. The marzipan mushrooms looks great, I did the other sort but then I tend to have a kitchen that is too cold not the other way round.
Beautiful job! Your mushrooms look fabulous.
Happy Holidays!
Oh wow, your yule log looks incredible! I would have never guessed you had the slightest bit of trouble by seeing those pictures. The texture of the bark is just lovely.
Looks AWESOME!! I was singing the LOG song the whole time I was making mine- “it’s better than bad- it’s GOOD!” and yours is GREAT!! Happy Holidays!
Your yule log looks beautiful & elegant. I love marzipan too, and many mushrooms did not make it to the log. :-) I also didn’t decorate my (mini) logs with anything else. It’s been a hectic month.
Merry Christmas!
Lovely wavy pattern on the buttercream. It looks so beautiful and decadent :)
A wonderful job on your first challenge. Great looking Yule Log.
Happy happy joy joy - you completed your challenge. Well done. You did a beautiful job.
Hi there. It’s great to see you joined the DBs! Your log looks great.
Your bûche de Noël is gorgeous! Congrats on becoming a DB’er!
Julius
http://occasionalbaker.blogspot.com
The texturing on the buttercream is just gorgeous!
I LOVE the marzipan mushrooms…I didn’t want to try to find almond paste, so I did the meringue. Your cake looks great!
That wavy lines you made on your log is so neat! Great decorations, great cake, a job well done!
Your log looks absolutely perfect. Love the marzipan mushrooms. Great job! Happy Holidays to you!
Another Ren and Stimpy fan! Yay!!! Your log is GORGEOUS! I especially love the ridged effect. Happy Holidays and have some gluhwein for me!
What a beautiful Yule Log! And those mushrooms are just perfect! What a great post!
Happy Holidays!
xoxo
What a wonderful post! I love the pictures as well as the log and mushrooms! Have a great time on your travels!
How very pretty!
What a great yule log! The mushrooms look fabulous, the bark texture is beautiful and the roll looks perfect! I love your pictures as well! Congrats on completing your first DB challenge!
What a wonderful yule log!! It looks perfect!
What a stunning yule log! It’s so pretty and the mushrooms are just precious. I like the way you sprinkled everything with shaved chocolate - lovely. Great job!