Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Daring Bakers Challenge: Filbert Gateau with Praline Buttercream

Although this challenge had a lot of time consuming components, it was much easier to convert to gluten free than the last challenge. I saw the challenge and had to sigh with relief! The only special item I had to finally break down and buy was a food processor. I have wanted one for so long, and I finally had an excuse to get one! Yippee!

Filbert Gateau with Praline Buttercream

The only ingredient I had to change was the small amount of flour in the cake. I also left the Xanthan Gum out (by accident!) as well as the alcohol (not by accident!). Everything else stayed the same. I do have to say that I didn't like the buttercream recipe. I have my standby Swiss buttercream recipe that I love, and this one didn't cut it for me. I also thought that the finished product was too sweet. I think I must like more bitter tastes, because everyone else who tried it loved it and thought that it had just the right amount of sweetness. I brought it to a church function, and everyone who tried it (non gluten free eaters), loved it!

We were also supposed to decorate the top of the cake with a beautiful piped design using the praline buttercream, but my house was literally 92 degrees, and the buttercream was separating inside my piping bag as I tried to make the design. Although, I could not use the buttercream on the top, I feel that I was able to elegantly substitute the design with a beautiful flower made from gum paste rose leaves, filled with toasted filberts (hazelnuts) in the center. I also used some leftover praline powder to mask the sides of my cake. It turned out beautifully and I may make it again with less sugar and my own buttercream recipe in the future.

This month, I am not going to post the entire recipe, but if you are interested in making it, the recipe originally comes from Great Cakes by Carol Walter.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your cake is beautiful!

Jen said...

I love your rose leaves, how elegant!

Barbara Bakes said...

Your cake is spectaular!

Jeanine - The Baking Beauties said...

Beautiful job on your cake. The ganache is so smooth, mine stayed so thin & almost runny. Ah well...
I would have loved a piece of your cake though, it'd be nice to have something GF that someone else makes. :)

Anonymous said...

I had a hard time keeping the buttercream firm too. Either my hands or our house was too warm. I piped it, but it had no shape to speak of :)

I love the simplicity and shine of your ganache.

Bumblebutton said...

Looks gorgeous! And you got a new toy! Hope it has cooled down a bit for you...my buttercream was melting too!

Christine said...

The first time I saw your picture I thought it was very elegant. Sometimes all you need is a simple (though that's quite an understatement in this case) decoration. Lovely job, Tiffany!

Christina ~ She Runs, She Eats

Venus ~ Vi said...

Hi,

You're not along because this cake was a bit on the sweet side for me too! Your cake is wonderful and the ganache looks so smooth!

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

Beautiful - what a nice finish to the cake!

Maggie said...

Beautiful job with your ganache. I like the simple gum paste flower as well.

Tiffany said...

Thanks, Ann!

Thanks, Jen! The rose leaves are a great thing to have around in cade of emergency! Kinda like now!

Thanks, Barbara...I wish I could have gotten a clearer picture. I think I was on the wrong setting, and I was in a hurry! I do think it looked nice, though!

Jeanine-I let my ganache chill for maybe 3-5 minutes in the fridge before pouring it on. I think it really helps to thicken it up :)

JMom-I really do think that buttercream is a bad idea in the summer. I always discourage my wedding cake clients from using it during July and August.

Bumblebutton-Yes, I am super excited about my new toy!! We have been on a 19 day 90 degree or more streak in Denver, so it's still very hot!

Thanks, Christina! Those white rose leaves really added a nice contrast in color to the chocolate, I think :)

Venus, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought it was too sweet!

T.W.- Thanks for stopping by! I'm glad you like the cake :)

Lauren said...

Mmm. It looks wonderful. I love the little flower!

Kajal@aapplemint said...

making things gluten free is not easy, and yet you have done it with so much ease. The cake looks fantastic.

Angela's Kitchen said...

That looks amazing! Just beautiful! I had trouble with the buttercream, too. Wrong time of year for the weather around here...

I love the look of the gum paste rose leaves. So elegant. I have been wanting to experiment with gum paste but have been a chicken. Maybe I should think about it again...

Anonymous said...

You alternative bakers are amazing. I love the clean design on your cake. Satin top and beautiful sides. I attempted piping one armed without tips, ha ha. Yours is fabulous.

cakewardrobe said...

OMG Beautiful!~ The glaze is to perfect and smooth!

Elle said...

It's beautiful! And yay for a new food processor!

Anonymous said...

Your cake looks great! The chocolate looks amazing.

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