Archive for the ‘Daring Bakers’ Category

Fancy Pants

Posted by Candace on Monday, December 29th, 2008

One of my “themes” for this blog is simplicity.  I like to make simple food and simple desserts.  From working as a pastry chef, I have the experience to make over the top desserts, but I just don’t have the time or energy to do it.  This dessert is not like one of my usual desserts as it is fancy.  Uber fancy… but I truly enjoyed making it.  Thank you Daring Bakers for choosing it!  To see more Daring Baker’s posts go here or go here to see all of my past Daring Baker posts.

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.  As with most challenges, we had many options for this dessert, but had to have the 6 elements of the yule log.  This is not to be confused with the other version of a Yule Log, that we did last year.

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December 29th, 2008 by Candace / Filed under Daring Bakers, Sweet Tooth / 44 Critiques

When the Moon Hits Your Eye

Posted by Candace on Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

Like a Big Pizza Pie….  That’s Amore!

Today you will be seeing homemade Pizza popping up around the blogosphere, as it is the Daring Baker challenge this month.  The recipe came from Rosa’s Yummy yums, one of my favorite blogs that I check regularly.  She chose this Pizza Napoletana from Peter Reinhart’s “The Bread Baker’s Apprentice” which is a book I’ve been considering buying, and now really want.  You can find the recipe on Rosa’s Blog.  The big challenge wasn’t to make the dough, but to learn how to toss the dough, and try to get a photo of yourself doing so.  Check out the other Daring Baker’s pizzas here, and my past Daring Baker Posts here.
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October 29th, 2008 by Candace / Filed under Bakery, Daring Bakers, Italian / 30 Critiques

Choux Whore

Posted by Candace on Sunday, August 31st, 2008

I love choux (pronounced shoe, for those that are confused.) Its a fascinating thing… you cook it on the stove first and then bake it. When it bakes, it magically puffs and becomes hollow. Then you fill the hollow pastry with whatever your heart desires. Make them sweet by filling with whipped cream, pastry cream or even ice cream… or make them savory with a cheese filling. You can even deep fry the dough to make beignets or churros. What’s not to like? Choux is insanely versatile and a delicious vehicle for your favorite filling.

When I saw that Meeta and Tony chose eclairs for our Daring Baker Challenge this month, I was elated! If you can’t tell from my ode to choux above, its one of my favorite things to make/eat. The versatility of this pastry is what makes it so fabulous. The recipe came from Chocolate Desserts By Pierre Hermé. This recipe is over the top decadent, with a rich, dark chocolate pastry cream and dark chocolate glaze.

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August 31st, 2008 by Candace / Filed under Bakery, Daring Bakers, Sweet Tooth / 31 Critiques

Dare to Bake without a Kitchen

Posted by Candace on Thursday, July 31st, 2008

Yeah yeah… better late than never, right?  Yesterday was the official posting day for Daring Bakers to unveil their top secret pastry… Unfortunately, the universe was against me, and posting on time was just not an option.  This month was Filbert Gateau with Praline buttercream, chosen by Mele Cotte.  The recipe came from Great Cakes by Carol Walter.

I was actually going to skip this month as it was a very busy one, and my kitchen is being remodeled.  This was a true challenge for me, because I assembled the cake without a kitchen.  You don’t realize how important counters and a kitchen sink are when you’re trying to fill and ice a cake.  Not easy… and quite the mess.
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July 31st, 2008 by Candace / Filed under Bakery, Daring Bakers, Sweet Tooth / 40 Critiques

Memories… All Alone in the Moonlight….

Posted by Candace on Sunday, June 29th, 2008

This Daring Baker challenge brought back memories of working at the Four Seasons Hotel in Houston. Waking up at 3:00, (yes, that is AM) being alone in the huge kitchen at 4:00 and baking off the Danish and muffins for the day. Good times… good times. Well, not so much. I can honestly say I don’t miss that! Plus I had to listen to the creepy overnight cook ask for the 100th time… Time to make the donuts? No you idiot. I don’t make donuts. Stop asking me that! Sheesh!
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June 29th, 2008 by Candace / Filed under Bakery, Breakfast, Daring Bakers / 54 Critiques
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