Monday, May 28, 2007

Daring Bakers - Gateau St. Honoré

Daring Bakers Blue Logo

Back in March when I noticed a bunch of the baking bloggers I religiously read were all making red velvet cakes, I begged to be included in the group! This month Daring Bakers has grown to 48 members, all attempting the same challenge. This month's challenge was Gateau St. Honoré, in honor of the birthday of St. Honoré, the patron saint of bakers.

This pastry is often used as a final exam for pastry chefs, since it includes puff pastry, cream puffs, cream, caramel, and spun sugar. You can read more about the recipe and look at other bakers by clicking on Helene's post - she was one of the two hosts for this month's challenge.

Gateau de Saint Honore

I decided to make several small pastries rather than one large cake, and am glad I did. I even drizzled some caramel on the parchment paper that looked kind of like a butterfly, so I've included it here. Here's another view where it might be easier to see:

Gateau de Saint Honore

I was overwhelmed by this challenge. Last week I had talked myself out of it completely, but let myself be talked back into it. I did take the out of buying storemade puff pastry, but everything else is mine. I had never made cream puffs before, so that was neat to see how easy it is! All of my cake decorating supplies are still in the closet of my old bedroom in my parents' house in Oregon, so I had to improvise with spoons and ziploc bags, but it worked just fine. I didn't start until today, and it was due today, whoops. Normally I would have taken my time but I had psyched myself out about it.

With my extra dough I made some eclairs. I have no idea what I'll do with the bowl of cream I have left over, but some bakers have done some creative things including turning it into icecream!

Chocolate eclairs

There were a few casualties - I had a saucepan I was ready to throw away, so it was sacrificed to the caramel. I know I could heat it back up and retrieve the pan, but it was ready to die anyway. I did burn my finger on the molten caramel, and smartly (not) stuck it in my mouth, burning my tongue as well! Other than that, things went fairly smoothly. I'd like to eventually make puff pastry from scratch, it just wasn't going to happen this month.

Categories: Caramel, Cream Puffs, Custard, Daring Bakers, Pastry, Puff Pastry

24 comments:

Brilynn said...

You've made a perfectly proportioned little gateau, excellent job on your first challenge!

Elle said...

What cute minis and the colors and light in your photographs is wonderful. Glad you are part of the DBs!

Alice Q. Foodie said...

Nice job, your smaller pastries look cute, and the caramel came out very nice! I am especially impressed that you had to improvise without supplies, I used everything in my kitchen to make mine!!

Meeta K. Wolff said...

Jenny that looks totally luscious!!

Laura said...

Oh the pain of a caramel burn! Your gateau was worth the wait.

Kelly-Jane said...

Well done Jenny! I think I can see your butterfly, it a great gateau :)

Freya said...

You did a great job, even with the caramel decorations - that stuff is tricky to work with!
Congratulations on your first challenge!

Jenny said...

Looks great! I hope your finger and tongue feel better today! Good job DB!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jenny! Congrats on your first DB challenge! Your cake looks just lovely, and I like how you made use of your leftovers - great thinking. I love your butterfly, it's amazing the beauty that can come from seemingly ordinary tasks!

Anne said...

they are cute and adorable...just wonderful :)

Sara - Piperita said...

Wow!!!

Anonymous said...

Ouch on the hot sugar on the tongue! What a cute gateau you have for the pain, however! Nice job!

Patricia Scarpin said...

Jenny, I think you started with the right foot - it looks delicious!

And those eclairs have my name written all over them. ;)

Anita said...

Jenny,
Just wanted to let you know your post is linked to my site now. I love your caramel decorations - you made a gorgeous little cake!

Valentina said...

Cute little creation.congratulations!! It requires a lot of skills to make something small and pretty.Great start!

Lis said...

I love your gateau, Jenny! And you're right, it does look like a cute lil butterfly!

I'm so happy you decided to join in after all!

Congrats on your first challenge!

xoxo

Anonymous said...

Jenny..how beautiful, the caramel sculpture is lovely!

Cheryl said...

Your final product is adorable and your caramel work is very very good.

Peabody said...

Great job for your first go around! Well done.

Alpineberry Mary said...

I'm a sucker for tiny versions of pastry and your miniature gateau is right up my alley! Very nice job on your first challenge.

Dolores said...

Great gateau batman... :) Glad you decided to join us in this month's insanity. Your pictures are great!

Helene said...

Congratulations on your first challenge! I am so glad we were able to talk you back into making it..it is gorgeous!

Karen Baking Soda said...

final exam for pastry chefs? Wow I didn't know that! We are gooood aren't we? Love the way your cake looks!

Anonymous said...

Well the whole thing looks fabulous but I especially love the caramel on top! My mouth is literally watering. Gimme!

Ari (Baking and Books)