Wednesday, July 30, 2008

A Very Daring Gateau

So here it is, the July Daring Bakers Challenge, a Filbert Gateau! Sounds fancy, huh?! Well, it kinda is, I guess. For the amount of work that went into making the cake, it's definitely not something you just whip up any given Sunday. So, it will have to go into the 'Special Occasion' file. Although, I'm not sure I'd make it again....at least not without some changes. The recipe was chosen by Chris at Mele Cotte and can be found at her site. It's from Great Cakes by Carole Walter. I appreciated the challenge of the recipe. It required me to make hazelnut (filbert) praline; which if you don't know, means making caramel. And me and caramel don't really like each other all that well. Don't get me wrong....I LOVE caramel. It just doesn't particularly like when I try to make it. And true to form, it took me two tries to get it right, but I did it...thanks to some great tips by fellow DBers. Also, in this challenge, I had to overcome my fear of chocolate ganache. Another love of mine that just doesn't love me back. This time the ganache worked well, so score one for me!
After all is said and done, the cake turned out well...I just didn't love it. It was very rich and too nutty for my taste. So, like I said...I'd make it again, but with changes. So, here it is (sorry the photos are a bit blurry):








I had four layers....three I used for the big gateau and the 4th I used to make this mini-cake for Karen & Smiley.

34 comments:

Michelle said...

Your mini cake is so cute!! And decorating the sides along with the dots is a great combination. LOVE IT!!

Looking around today at everyone's cakes, the minis are stealing the show!

Speedbump Kitchen said...

Great job, I love the mini cake!

Laurie said...

Beautiful! Your flowers are so sweet!

genkitummy said...

you cake looks so pretty! i love the flowers!

Lesley said...

So cute! I really like theh flowers you made, very pretty!

Anonymous said...

The taste of this cake was ok for me, but just scary because I know how many eggs, butter and sugar is in that thing. :D

Great looking cake! I especially love your mini one.

Anonymous said...

That mini-cake of yours is just adorable! Very nice!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! I love both cakes!

Rebecca said...

What pretty decoration on your mini cake! Not that the big one's a slouch, either.

Anonymous said...

That's a beautiful looking gateau! You bet its daring:))

Tiffany said...

I love your little mini cake! How cute is that :) Good job!

Leslie said...

Love your flowers! And your ganache looks perfect! Great job!
Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting on my DB's cake!!!

Lori said...

You are a last minute kind of girl. I am in awe. I would be too freaked out. Your cake looks so pretty so I guess it works for you.

Jacque said...

Great job! I hear you on the caramel... I had one failure and gave up, so kudos to you for seeing it through.

Your little flowered covered cake is adorable!

Bumblebutton said...

Your cake is really beautiful, even if you didn't love it. Nice job!

Christine said...

The mini cake looks beautiful! I like how you made some of the flowers purple.

I agree, this cake didn't really wow me, but I enjoyed making it.

Christina ~ She Runs, She Eats

Helene said...

You did a great job! Great DB spirit too! Love the piping decors and colors!

malwin said...

Wonderful decoration! ;)

Anonymous said...

I love the mini cake, so pretty.

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Very well done! I particularly like the little cake which is dainty!

Cheers,

Rosa

Anonymous said...

Your cake turned out just beautiful... Congrats.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely love your mini cake decorations! Great job!

Medhaa said...

Love your cakes, I love the mini one esp. its so cute

Me said...

I think you mini is the best-looking cake of every one in this month's challenge! GORGEOUS!!

Vegan_Noodle said...

Your cakes are gorgeous!!

Vera said...

The cake looks so cute with all these flowers. Too bad you didn't like it...

Tara the Foodie said...

The mini cake is my favorite! I love the colored flowers on it. You did a great job at decorating the cakes.

una donna dolce said...

I love the flowers!

Allison said...

I love the purple and white flower decorations! So cute!! =)

Shelby said...

Great job! I love how you decoated!

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love the mini cake. It reminds me of Mary Engelbreit. I had more mishaps than you can imagine but just as much fun laughing at them. Your decorating is impressive.

Kirstynn Evans said...

Super work! It was a lot of work, so I can really appreciate your decorations. By the time I finished the cake, I didn't want to do anything, but eat it!

Lauren said...

Ooo, your cake looks wonderful! I love the mini cake!!

Christina said...

So beatiful!