Daring Bakers: Yule be impressed

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. Take a jump over to either of their sites for the original recipe. But be warned. It is looooooooooong.

This log is very different from the Yule Log we made last December, but no less a show-stopper in appearance.

And unlike last year, I did not make this several times. Actually, I have only just finished making it today, and my piece is sitting at the table while I write this post.

Rather than write a long and detailed post about the various components of this cake, I'll let some of my pictures do most of the talking for me.

I had to make my own praline, having not thought to buy some. This is almond praline.

(I should add that I did not even bat an eyelash at the idea of making a praline, which goes to show how far I've come when it comes to hot sugar.)


Assembly station. I'm still working on the best place for light and pictures in my kitchen. This is my baking corner, but does not seem to be great for light.


I decided to make two mini's instead of one large. I think I should have smoothed down the mousse on this - or followed the instructions and banged the tins on the counter a few times. You are about to see why....


Hmmm how to cover up those lovely sides. One batch of icing is not going to be enough.


Ah, left over praline!


Leftover ganache and praline crisp insert! You have saved me from ugly logs. Sorta.


I had enough cake for a top and a bottom, so my layers, from the bottom up, are:

Dacquoise biscuit - simply almond.
White chocolate ganache, which looks like caramel and tastes pretty close to it.
Vanilla mousse, with very obvious vanilla beans in it.
Milk chocolate praline crisp - almond praline and cereal.
More mousse.
Vanilla creme brulee, again, lots of vanilla beans there.
More mousse.
Another layer of Dacquoise.
Milk chocolate icing. A double batch actually.

Yes, it is impressive to look at.

I'm getting this in right under the wire. Lots of things delayed me, including the flu on Christmas day, but am pleased to say that I did not miss this month's challenge.

Now I really, really hope we do something a little less time consuming and sweet next month.

Thanks to Hilda and Marion for hosting this month. And ongoing thanks to Lis and Ivonne for being our leaders and letting us be their followers.