When we were in France for Christmas a few years ago, I noticed the Buche de Noel phenomenon. They were simply everywhere. Besides being in the window of every pastry shop we passed, I saw them at the grocers, in department stores and at restaurants. Pretty log shaped cakes, decorated with mushrooms and snow. I began to wonder if the Buche de Noel was to the French what Fruitcake was to Americans - found everywhere, but really eaten and enjoyed by no one. I (being the ambitious and over promising baker that I am), of course vowed to try to make a Buche de Noel of my own for the next Christmas. And the one after that. And the one after that one. Making the promise was easy, but somehow actually beginning the rather daunting challenge of filling and rolling the cake, frosting the stumpy part and making mushrooms had always been pushed off of top of the priority list in the rush of Christmas preparations. Until this year. The monthly Daring Bakers challenge, chosen by the lovely Lis of La Mia Cucina and Ivonne of Cream Puffs in Venice, was of course the Buche de Noel, the perfect challenge for Christmastime. I was excited, but a little apprehensive. Could I roll the cake? Can I make meringue mushrooms? Will anyone want to eat it? Well, now that I have a Yule Log under my belt, the answers to those questions are yes, no and yes. I have learned to roll a cake (Hooray!), my meringue mushrooms looked like bird droppings (Ick), and I'm serving it tonight at the huge Christmas Eve Fish Fest with Mike's family. With 20 people here for dinner and dessert, surely someone will try a piece.
Many thanks to the Daring Bakers, now over 300 strong, whose constant challenges and support have greatly enhanced my baking this year. Can't wait to see what's ahead for the new year. Merry Christmas!
Goodlooking Yule log! The mushrooms reminds me rabbits. ;-)
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Posted by: zorra | December 24, 2007 at 11:59 AM
Rabbits! I see rabbits! (ok, it's Christmas Eve and I'm on wine). Don't tell anyone they're supposed to be mushrooms and you'll be fine! You did it, frosting looks great, it's very log-like..yes, challenge completed! Well done!
Posted by: Baking Soda | December 24, 2007 at 04:23 PM
Love your meriunge rabbits. So beautiful,
Posted by: Courtney | December 24, 2007 at 05:14 PM
Great looking cakey log bit, and those ARE meant to be rabbits, right? Because I wouldn't want to accidentally say they're rabbits and compliment you on them (great rabbits, by the way!) only to find out they were meant to be mushrooms... :-D
Posted by: Y | December 25, 2007 at 04:40 AM
I can tell you that if I'd attended the fish fest, I'd have had a piece. :) It looks GREAT.
I hope you holiday was a joyous experience, and that 2008 brings you health and happiness, laughter and love.
Posted by: Dolores | December 25, 2007 at 11:05 PM
What a lovely touch the poinsetta is, very lovely rabbits and a tasty looking yule log. Hope you had a great Christmas!
Posted by: Gretchen Noelle | December 26, 2007 at 07:18 PM
It looks wonderful! I love your snow!
Posted by: Deborah | December 28, 2007 at 04:53 AM
It looks beautiful with the poinsettia and the cute bunnies. I'm sure the Fish Festers loved it!
Posted by: Susan | December 29, 2007 at 06:00 PM
I thought the mushrooms were rabbits! I know...just tell everyone you intended them to be rabbits! I'll keep your secret. It's really lovely.
Posted by: Susan from Food Blogga | January 04, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Hi All - It's not just the wine, the "mushrooms" are rabbits. My mushrooms were a disaster, so I used the woodland creatures I had made with the leftover merangue instead. I'm glad you like them!
Posted by: Chelsea | January 05, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Wonderful job! The rabbits are adorable, and a great way to handle the meringue problem. You were more daring than I! :-)
Posted by: Andrea | January 17, 2008 at 11:10 AM