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Saturday, December 31, 2011

Buche de New Year

The Stump version
MY FIRST JELLYROLL.  Isn't that supposed to be a simple rolled sponge cake filled with jam and sprinkled with powdered sugar? Having never made one, this Stump de Noel from BAKED seemed a bit daunting. Instead of stumping, I rolled, and even attempted the traditional sidekicks to any buche - meringue mushrooms. 






















Surprisingly, these little mushroom were the highlight of this buche. A simple meringue piped into caps and stems and fit together with white chocolate. This BAKED recipe for mushrooms makes more than the five pictured above. More like 550 - most of which ended up in the ding & dent center, also knowns as Snack Central. Still, they supplied some holiday cheer and reminded me of Disney's 1940 animated feature, Fantasia. These happy little characters prance around to Tchaikovsky's Chinese Dance - watch the minute-long dance while you're here.  

Island of Misfit Mushrooms

Let's not forget about the star of the serving platter: a rich, dark chocolate cake rolled and filled with a malted milk ball filling and covered with dark chocolate frosting. Superb on its own. I adorned it with some bark (chocolate shards), an idea I borrowed (stole) from Donna Hay. Along with sugared rosemary sprigs and cranberries, it's a virtual forest right on your table.

If you're planning a holiday party or simply want to impress your friends with ultra-fancy culinary skills, try your hand at this buche. Whether you decide to go with the stump or the roll, just don't forget the mushrooms.


 – mike


For this festive recipe, venture over to BAKED SUNDAY MORNINGS. 

14 comments:

Bourbonnatrix said...

it looks stunning mike! beautiful job! i'm curious... did u end up rolling it while warm? wishing you a very happy new year!

Unknown said...

That first Buche de New Year could put my local bakery's to shame. Beautiful job. And happy new year to you!

Nancy/n.o.e said...

Mike, that looks totally amazing - and your first one? My hat's off to you! I've never made a rolled cake but the mushrooms look like the most daunting part! Love your touches of chocolate bark and sugared rosemary. Looks just like the (delicious) forest!

Susan said...

This is absolutely stunning, Mike! It looks like a magazine photo shoot. I love the Island of Mushrooms!

I didn't have time to make it this week, but will eventually.

Wishing you a fabulous New Year!

Littlebakerbunny said...

The chocolate shards are perfect for the bark -- what a terrific presentation! Your cake looks absolutely amazing! Yum!!

Unknown said...

Wow, that is truly gorgeous Mike!! From the beautiful cake to those stunning mushrooms, it's just perfection.

Happy New Year! :)

Sheri said...

Wow! I love the shards. And your mushrooms are perfect.

Kayte said...

I think this is the prettiest one I have ever seen. You are such a great creative baker, always a treat just to see what you come up with over here. I thought I might try one of these this year, but time got away from me, now I can aspire to something like this next year.

Chelly said...

Beautiful!!!

Rebecca said...

Wow! Yours is stunning!

Elaine said...

Did your mushrooms dance like that, Mike?! I hope so! Fantasia is such a fun movie. Your buche is just stunning! I LOVE that silver-footed platter and may need to come borrow it. You did such a fantastic job on this, Mike, and have set the bar really high for when I do a catch-up and try to make this. :) Happy New Year!

Susan said...

Happy New Year, Mike!

I've awarded you the "Liebster Blog" award! Please stop by to "pick it up" and pass it on: http://www.createamazingmeals.com/2012/01/liebster-blog-award.html

Looking forward to another year of baking with you!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Gorgeous!!!! Mike, you are an artist! So glad to find your blog via our mutual friend, Susan. I look forward to coming back~

steph (whisk/spoon) said...

That is so gorgeous! Much more beautiful than the stump (I used to work at baked and I really thought the stump was weird)