I have to make a confession – I was SO not excited about this month’s Daring Baker’s challenge. Why, you ask? Well, it requires decorating. And we all know how I feel about my decorating skills. I have been scared to death, and putting it off for as long as I could. I even contemplated skipping this month. In all honesty, it’s been a crazy month, and I really haven’t had time to do it – until today. It took me ALL day, but I did finish it, and guess what? I’m actually a little bit proud of it. I know it won’t be the prettiest, fanciest, best looking Yule Log out there. But I didn’t think I could do it – I thought mine would end up looking like a pile of you-know-what. But it actually looks like a log.
This month’s challenge is brought to us by the founders of the DB – Lisa at La Mia Cucina, and Ivonne at Cream Puffs In Venice. The recipe for the genoise cake, the mushrooms and the outside buttercream come from Nick Malgieri’s Perfect Cakes. The recipe can be found here.
We were allowed a few modifications, and these are the things I changed.
1 – Since I’m not a coffee drinker, I changed the buttercream to a chocolate buttercream, versus the coffee buttercream. I melted about 2 1/2 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate, and when it was cooled, I stirred it in at the end. I didn’t want the frosting to be too chocolate-y, and I think this amount of chocolate ended up perfectly.
2 – I filled my cake with a caramel buttercream. I was going to add hazelnuts as well, but realized I didn’t have any at home, and didn’t want to go back to the store!! The recipe I used for the caramel buttercream can be found here. This only makes a small amount, barely enough to fill the middle of the cake, so try not to eat too much before it makes it to the cake! This is the first time I’ve made this buttercream, and it was delicious! I will be using this recipe again!!
3 – I changed the genoise to chocolate. Since I only had a half sheet pan, I had to use the adjusted measurements. It was:
4 egg yolks
4 eggs
pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup cake flour
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/3 cup cocoa
4 – The recipe I used for the sugared cranberries can be found here. (These are delicious!!)
Since I have lots going on before Christmas, I won’t be posting anything else until after Tuesday. I will be around to see all of the Yule Logs out there, so if you haven’t heard from me yet, I’ll visit eventually!! To see the rest of the creations (going up today – the 22nd, and tomorrow, the 23rd) check out the Daring Bakers Blogroll.
I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. I hope you will all be surrounded by family, friends, and the true meaning of Christmas!!
Gigi says
December 23, 2007 at 3:32 amNice yule log! I love all decorations, the pine needles, berries, and the mushrooms.
glamah16 says
December 23, 2007 at 3:49 amYou did good.Your presenation is great. Sometimes we fear things we shouldn’t .In the end there was nothing to fear at all. Happy Hoildays.
Suzanne says
December 23, 2007 at 4:41 amThanks for the sugared cranberry info. Lovely mushrooms!
Peabody says
December 23, 2007 at 5:59 amOhhhh, caramel buttercream…now that sounds good…except for the part where you said it didn’t make that much.
A great job on decorating your Yule.
Tartelette says
December 23, 2007 at 6:05 amYour decorating skills are great! I used sugared cranberries too and could not stop popping them in my mouth. Your log is gorgeous Deborah!
Happy holidays to you and your family!
Kate / Kajal says
December 23, 2007 at 6:17 amthats one nice looking log girl ! really neat ,one of the best i’ve seen so far. Happy Holidays 😀
Elisabeth says
December 23, 2007 at 6:47 amGreat job! All the substitutions you made sound wonderful!
I thought the mushrooms were quite fun to make. 🙂
The recipe intimidated me just because it was sooo long and I had never made any of it before. I’m still working on finishing it.
Meeta says
December 23, 2007 at 2:28 pmI can so relate to your non-decorating abilities – I share them with you so you do not stand alone. But I think it turned out so good Deborah so what you complaining about?
kitten says
December 23, 2007 at 3:31 pmyour log looks so wonderful. i love the caramel butter cream filling… that had to taste so scrumptious and the sugared cranberries are such a nice addition.
Laura says
December 23, 2007 at 4:04 pmlooks fabulous! I love your mushrooms–they look just like the ones that grew in my yard this summer (but taste much better to be sure!)
Megan says
December 23, 2007 at 4:11 pmLove the carmel buttercream idea and the sugared cranberrys are a delightful touch. Who says you cant cake decorate? I think you did an awesome job!
Merry Christmas
marias23 says
December 23, 2007 at 5:01 pmYour decorating skills are awesome 🙂
Maryann says
December 23, 2007 at 5:14 pmI was going to skip this month’s challenge also..and I should have! haha. I love your sugared cranberries. I have to try those . Merry Christmas!
eliza says
December 23, 2007 at 5:27 pmit’s still a very nice cake! your mushrooms look perfect, fat and yummy 🙂
eatme_delicious says
December 23, 2007 at 6:33 pmWell done! I was dreading doing this challenge as well, partly because I wasn’t excited about yule logs but also because I didn’t want to decorate. Yours looks like it turned out great! And now I want to try that caramel buttercream.
Beth G. says
December 23, 2007 at 7:16 pmI’m glad you went for it- you did a fantastic job!! Happy Holidays 🙂
Jenn says
December 24, 2007 at 3:18 amGreat job! Looking at your picture of the yule log makes me wish I had had the time to complete this month’s challenge..
Sheltie Girl says
December 24, 2007 at 3:45 amLovely job on the yule log. I love your sugared cranberries.
Natalie @ Gluten A Go Go
Elle says
December 24, 2007 at 4:11 amYou did a fab job with decorating the yule log. Perfect mushrooms, great chocolate buttercream…and candied cranberries, too. YUM.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! See ‘ya in 2008.
Jenny says
December 24, 2007 at 4:36 amI love your yule log! I am sooo not a decorator either. I went totally basic. Hey, now I can say I’ve actually made a yule log!
sher says
December 24, 2007 at 5:39 amThose mushrooms are amazing! I could eat quite a few of them! :):)
Bellini Valli says
December 24, 2007 at 2:57 pmBeautifully done Buche de Noel. Love the sugared cranberries as well. This was my first challenge and I was glad to have all the support on the DB blog site. My biggest mistake as to leave it till the last minute…hence no meringue mushrooms….but it was fun wasn’t it?????
Katie B. says
December 24, 2007 at 3:40 pmYum!!! Looks lovely and delicious!!!
Mary says
December 24, 2007 at 3:51 pmWow! Your log looks great! I’m going to have to try the caramel buttercream too!
Merav says
December 24, 2007 at 4:46 pmNo need to be scared of decorating – your log looks wonderful! Congratulations!
LP says
December 24, 2007 at 6:17 pmI think it looks great. Wonderful Job! Happy Holidays!
Emiline says
December 24, 2007 at 10:59 pmYou did a fabulous job! This looks difficult.
Julius says
December 25, 2007 at 2:33 amBeautiful bûche de Noël!
I think I will try the sugared cranberry next time.
Happy Holidays.
Julius from Occasional Baker
Cynthia says
December 25, 2007 at 6:47 pmHappy Christmas!
April says
December 25, 2007 at 11:01 pmIt looks beautiful!
Marie says
December 26, 2007 at 8:45 amOh gosh, your log looks absolutely wonderful! Love the idea of the sugared cranberries and also the caramel buttercream! Sounds positively yummy!!! Great mushrooms!!!
Marie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/
Kevin says
December 27, 2007 at 12:38 amGreat looking Yule Log. I really like the candied cranberries and the mushroom decorations.
Tara says
December 27, 2007 at 1:44 amI would have to disagree with you and say this is pretty high up there with the most gorgeous Yule Logs I have seen… you have done a wonderful job!
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
December 27, 2007 at 7:16 amYour log looks gorgeous! Very well done!
Cheers,
Rosa
Gretchen Noelle says
December 27, 2007 at 12:20 pmFor having a fear of decorating, I think your Yule Log turned out lovely! The caramel buttercream sure sounds delicious!
JennDZ - The Leftover Queen says
December 27, 2007 at 3:27 pmThat’s how I felt about it – not so into it at first, but really proud of it afterwards! Great job! It paid off!
MyKitchenInHalfCups says
December 27, 2007 at 5:20 pmWow Deborah you got a beautiful log! I know just what you mean about the decorating, I feel petrified to try. And like you I was just blown away that I could make a mushroom. Really better than well done, the berries are extra cool!!
sunita says
December 27, 2007 at 8:34 pmDeborah, it does look like a log indeed and a very good one at that…love the way your mushrooms turned out…hope you had a nice Christmas 🙂
Gabi says
December 27, 2007 at 10:28 pmHappy Christmas Deborah,
Lovely Yule Log!
It looks great.
Hope you have a great new year and BTW I think making your own traditions is a great way to create some Christmas magic- good job with the scones- my husband and I made aebelskiver every Christmas morning as our tradition.
xoxo
Gabi
Nan says
December 28, 2007 at 1:04 amLove your life-size mushrooms. Wish I had thought to make the sugared cranberries!! (Happy holidays, too!!)
coco says
December 28, 2007 at 5:28 amLooks great 🙂
Happy holidays!
Meryl says
December 28, 2007 at 8:14 pmYour log looks lovely! The sugared cranberries are so pretty!
maybahay says
December 28, 2007 at 9:59 pmthe decorating bit was also my biggest worry. yours turned out beautiful nevertheless. i love the wreath and berries.
Madeleine says
December 28, 2007 at 10:04 pmGreat Job!!!
Your decorations was great… more beatiful than mine!! hehe!!!
Happy Holidays!!!
Molly Loves Paris says
December 29, 2007 at 2:30 amYour cake looks great, no decoration problems at all, especially the little red berries.
Rachel says
December 29, 2007 at 4:03 amhey, fabulous log out there! The shrooms look realistic!! Caramel buttercream sounds like a nice filling!
The Caked Crusader says
December 29, 2007 at 10:49 amBeautiful mushrooms – they look so light and delicious!
Judy says
December 29, 2007 at 7:09 pmYour yule log looks lovely! Maybe you just have undiscovered talents as a decorator. Have a wonderful New Year.
Glenna says
December 29, 2007 at 10:20 pmDeborah, your yule log came out so well! It really is beautiful. Love the mushrooms.
wmpe says
December 30, 2007 at 8:19 amGreat job on your yule log. I am glad you overcame your fear of decorating. I like the berries and mushrooms. Wendy
Carla says
December 30, 2007 at 2:42 pmI love your mushrooms! They look so real. And caramel buttercream…I’m drooling. Have a great new year!
lina says
December 30, 2007 at 9:31 pmI think your log is looking great. Don’t let your own high expectation put you down and make you not dare to try!
Best wishes for the New Year!
The Baker & The Curry Maker says
December 31, 2007 at 12:59 amDeb! Your Yule looks fantastic!! It defintely is one of the prettiest I have seen on my look around today. I assume your view on decorating has changed now? Happy New Year x
The Baker & The Curry Maker says
December 31, 2007 at 12:59 amDeb! Your Yule looks fantastic!! It defintely is one of the prettiest I have seen on my look around today. I assume your view on decorating has changed now? Happy New Year x
skrockodile says
December 31, 2007 at 6:05 amwow – I am definitely going to try those cranberries – very nice touch!
Jen Yu says
December 31, 2007 at 3:36 pmOh, I love all of you DBers who used caramel filling. Why wasn’t I at your house? 😉 Your yule log is absolutely gorgeous. Great job and happy new year!
jen at use real butter
Andrea says
January 1, 2008 at 5:12 pmCaramel is my favorite flavor, with chocolate a close second. Now I wish that I had thought of that! It must have tasted decadent! Great job!
Lynnylu says
January 1, 2008 at 11:39 pmA great looking buche-love it!
Katie says
January 2, 2008 at 2:08 pmYour log looks beautiful. Well done for not letting fear of decoration stop you from making it. It looks very festive with the berries.
BC says
January 5, 2008 at 3:20 pmI love the sugared cranberries. It’s a nice touch.
linda says
January 6, 2008 at 9:06 pmYou should be proud, it’s a very pretty log! The caramel buttercream sounds delicious!
Lynnylu says
January 8, 2008 at 12:11 pmA very lovely “buche”.
Dolores says
January 13, 2008 at 7:16 pmWell I think it’s gorgeous. I’m only sorry it’s taken me almost a month to get here. And thanks for the caramel buttercream recipe.