Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Every year the Enthusiastic Kitchen Elf and I make a Bûche de Noël for his birthday cake. When I found out that my cousin was hosting our big family Christmas celebration on D's birthday, I emailed her: That is D's actual birthday. Any chance you might be able to make him a cake?  Don't think that's a completely odd request. While she's an engineer, she bakes for fun and, sometimes, as a side job. She readily agreed. I certainly didn't expect her to make him a bûche. But she did...because she's an awesome auntie.  She made chocolate bark, marzipan pinecones, and meringue mushrooms. And she even had candles to make it the full birthday experience. It was so beautiful and so tasty. And, best of all, he felt so celebrated. It's tough to have a birthday so close to Christmas. I just appreciate when friends and family make the effort to make him feel special. Thanks, Tiffy!

Every year I make a Bûche de Noël for my almost-Christmas baby's birthday cake. This year we were a day late because this week has been crazy busy. The Enthusiastic Kitchen Elf made all of the marzipan fungi for the decorations. This bûche had at least four different kinds of marzipan mushrooms. I'll have to check with him on what types he actually made. While he created the marzipans, I baked the cake and made the filling and frosting. I use Nick Malgieri's recipe in  Perfect Cakes  as my starting point. You can also find  his recipe on the FoodNetwork website . His chocolate genoise is, well, perfect. Actually his book is aptly named; there is not a recipe in there that I've made that hasn't turned out just divine. I did opt for a chestnut puree-whipped cream filling instead of the traditional coffee filling. Chocolate Genoise Sheet 3 large eggs 3 large egg yolks Pinch of salt 3/4 C organic granulated sugar 1/3 C flour (spoon flour into dry-meas...

Every year I make a Bûche de Noël for my almost-Christmas baby's birthday. This year, since we had a Star Wars theme going, I asked him if I should make it more of a snowy log...as if it were from the planet Hoth. He said, "Mom, just make it a log from Endor and put Ewoks on it!" Duh. Okay. That's so much easier than what I was envisioning. I ordered the Ewoks and Dylan was in charge of the marzipan. This bûche had marzipan mushrooms, plate fungus, holly leaves, fantasy ladybugs, and large red critter of some kind! Let's just say 'less is more' is not his motto.  I use Nick Malgieri's recipe in Perfect Cakes as my starting point. You can also find his recipe on the FoodNetwork website. His chocolate genoise is, well, perfect. Actually his book is aptly named; there is not a recipe in there that I've made that hasn't turned out just divine. I usually make a marscarpone filling instead of the traditional coffee filling, but this y...

Every year I make a Bûche de Noël for my almost-Christmas baby's birthday. This year Dylan asked if I could add an eggnog glaze on top. Okay. And he was also in charge of the decorations this year. Let's just say 'less is more' is not his motto. This bûche had marzipan grubs, worms, holly leaves and berries, mushrooms, and gingerbread hearts! I use Nick Malgieri's recipe in  Perfect Cakes  as my starting point. You can also find  his recipe on the FoodNetwork website . His chocolate genoise is, well, perfect. Actually his book is aptly named; there is not a recipe in there that I've made that hasn't turned out just divine. I did opt for a marscarpone filling instead of the traditional coffee filling. Chocolate Genoise Sheet: 3 large eggs 3 large egg yolks Pinch of salt 3/4 cup sugar 1/3 cup cake flour (spoon flour into dry-measure cup and level off) 1/3 cup cornstarch 1/4 cup alkalized (Dutch process) cocoa Butter and line a 10" x 15...