December 22, 2007

Daring Bakers Holiday Edition

A yule log is not something I’ve ever eaten before as it was never part of my Christmas as a child but apparently it symbolizes the holidays for a lot of people. I remember hearing somewhere that one company starts making their Yule logs in July in order to have enough ready for Christmas. That makes me question what they’re putting in their Yule log to make it last so long while simultaneously making me cringe and shudder in repulsion. But this isn’t July and the Yule log is this month’s Daring Baker challenge, set out for us by the DB creators themselves, Ivonne and Lis so I was going to make it regardless.

I had decided to make the Yule log on the day after Toronto got its big snowstorm but when I got up I realized I was short a few ingredients so I put on my coat and mitts and trudged out into the snow. After a few steps I realized that besides the blanket of snow that was covering the streets, there was something else that was different. It took me a minute to figure out that the usually bustling city was quiet. There were hardly any cars on the road, (as they were all stuck somewhere) and in contrast to the often congested sidewalks, those too were empty of people, (but filled with snow). So despite a nippy wind licking at my face and my pants becoming wet and soggy with every step, I enjoyed a leisurely walk to the store along oddly quiet city streets. I was then amazed at how quickly I made my way through the too narrow aisles of the grocery store without being jostled and bumped, got to a cashier that didn’t have a line up and was back out in the snow in a matter of minutes. That particular grocery store is often a 20 minute event even if all I want is a few sticks of butter.


When I got back to my apartment, (and still dark kitchen) I was feeling pretty relaxed and looking forward to the challenge. I had read about the other DB’s experience with the Yule log and icing and had hopefully learned how to avoid their mistakes. Oddly enough, it seems like I had. This challenge went relatively smoothly, but maybe it was just the calm mood I was in. The most difficult part of the whole thing was carrying my Yule log over to my Aunt and Uncle’s house for dinner that night as the sidewalks still hadn’t been cleared and the snow was much less friendly in the dark as I struggled with my cake. Of course the walk there is uphill so that didn’t help. But I arrived, was handed a glass of wine and went in to sit by the fire to warm up. We had beef bourguignon for dinner and Yule log for dessert. And I got bonus points for the SuperMario inspired mushrooms. Challenge completed. Now I’m off to brave the sidewalks that are once again being overrun by Slow Walkers, and with only three days left until Christmas, these are particularly crazy Slow Walkers. Good luck to anyone who is not done their shopping, “yule” need it… (Sorry, that was bad.) Be sure to check out the other Yule Logs from the Daring Bakers Blog Roll, (now somewhere in the millions...).




63 comments:

Dianne's Dishes said...

Great job! I LOVE the mushrooms! :)

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

Gosh Brilynn the mushrooms are really fun! So what are the dots?
I love walks on deserted snow covered streets!

Meeta K. Wolff said...

WOW! look at the log!! Girl you are a artiste!

breadchick said...

I love the "dotted" 'shrooms! Great job Brilynn. It has been a joy to bake with you this past year!

marias23 said...

It's great to hear that you had such a nice experience baking the log. And I adore the SuperMario shrooms! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Cakelaw said...

What a handsome looking Yule Log - too good to eat!

Peabody said...

Ha! The minute I saw those mushrooms, Super Mario was going through my head. Great log and way to get it to your Aunt's home successfully.

test it comm said...

Your yule log looks good. The mushrooms are really nice.

K and S said...

good job! Merry Christmas Brilynn and may 2008 be a delicious year for you.

creampuff said...

Like everyone else, I adore the mushrooms! I loved your description of going to the store in the middle of that storm. Your Yule Log looks lovely!

If I don't talk to you before the holidays, have a Merry Christmas, Brilynn!

Jenny said...

Hehe yes, I've noticed Toronto shuts down when there is snow on the ground, and there was alot of snow last weekend!
Cute mushrooms!

glamah16 said...

Love your Mushrooms.Sounds like your having a winter wonderland.Happy Hoildays.

Joey Biscotti said...

your mushrooms remind me of WIlly Wonka's chocolate room... well done!!!

Gattina Cheung said...

I can relate that sudden-all quiet scene after snow. That time we walked with our dog, we all (yes, dog too) looked around with a 'huh?' above our heads.
Sound like you had a wonderful dinner night with the yule log, it is so beautiful. Brilynn, Merry Christmas!

Tablebread said...

Just found your blog! I love how you put dots on the mushrooms - NINTENDO STYLE!!! That's what I'm talkin' bout' ;) Great job!

Helene said...

Willy Wonka crosses Mario in the mushrooms...too cute!
The log is stunning my friend!
Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Anne said...

Oh lovely, you DO get bonus points for the Super Mario Mushrooms! I wanted to do that too, but in the end, realized that I was way too lazy. I had ideas of tinting sugarpaste to the right color, cutting out circles and covering the mushrooms with them, but that sounded like waaaaaay more work than I was wanting. I should have just gotten out a brush and colors, duh. You're much smarter :)

Laura Rebecca said...

Oh, wow, that looks great!

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

Fabulous mushrooms! I know just what you mean about baking (or in my case, cooking) in the quiet after a storm. It's so relaxing. Happy holidays to you and your family.

Megan said...

Love the log but exspecially those shrooms! Merry Christmas!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

LOVE your whimsical mushrooms! Excellent job on the Buche de Noel. I completed my first DB challenge. I was a little afraid since I am "baking challenged" but I sure had a lot of fun!!

Rasa Malaysia said...

Sorry I haven't stopped by lately have been sooooo busy with MFH, work, etc. Your creation is sooooo adorable, love those cute dots accent to the mushroom...look like a fairy tale. Love it! :)

Renee said...

Your little mushrooms are so adorable. Congratulations on this challenge! Speaking of the dreaded slow walkers, I braved them yesterday...*shudder*

Y said...

Mario Mushrooms = COOL! What a great idea :) And slow walkers annoy me too.. or people who walk in groups and take up the entire width of the pavement!

Elle said...

The Mario inspired mushroooms are a delight. Your buttercream look swoon worthy and the yule log is spot on (sorry... couldn't resist with those mushrooms :)

Marce said...

I love the crazy mushrooms and even picturing that snowy afternoon since the weather here couldn´t be more different!

thepassionatecook said...

very pretty log, inspired mushrooms... amazing as usual! happy christmas, and a happy new year!

steph- whisk/spoon said...

i love those little spotted 'shrooms!

Julius said...

Lovely bûche de Noël, and such cute mushrooms!

Happy Holidays to you!

Julius from Occasional Baker

Susan @ SGCC said...

Brilynn- Your Yule Log is adorable! I love your cute mushrooms. This was such a fun DB challenge!

Happy Holidays!

Unknown said...

Ha! Mario mushrooms...hillarious! Looks great.

Alpineberry Mary said...

Your whimsical mushrooms are very much like those found in a video game or a fairy tale. Very cute. Happy Holidays!

Karen Baking Soda said...

Crossed the T's and dotted the mushrooms! Love the looks!
Part of the fun of walking in a snow covered city world for me is grinning at clumsy people...I'm bad I know!

Katie B. said...

You get super-extra-triple bonus points for those mushrooms!!! Love them!

Lis said...

Beautiful log! Love the mushrooms.. brings me back to my Nintendo days. ;)

Your mad baking skills never cease to impress me!

Happy holidays!
xoxo

Dana said...

Loooovely! Have a wonderful holiday!!

Mandy said...

Great job! What's the dots on your magical mushrooms?
Merry Christmas Bri~

Annemarie said...

Ha - maybe it's a sign i've been playing too much Nintendo but my first thought on seeing those mushrooms were: "Power-up and free life!". Looks fab.

Maria said...

Your Yule Log looks great. Nice detail on the mushrooms. I Hope you have a great holiday! Stay Warm:)

Lunch Buckets said...

Nice log - great Mario shrooms!

Nora B. said...

Merry Christmas, Brilynn. I hope that you and your family will have a wonderful day and also best wishes for 2008.

I love what you did to the mushrooms!

x Nora

Anonymous said...

you definitely had fun decorating the log! have a merry xmas and happy new year!

Anonymous said...

Haha, I love how you painted your mushrooms- They're so cute and colorful! Nice work on this challenge all around, it's quite impressive.

Anonymous said...

Cute mushrooms!! Great job =D

Mary said...

Your log is beautiful! I love what you did with the mushrooms!

Cookie baker Lynn said...

Good job, Brilynn! I love the Mario mushrooms. Do they give you a one up?

Veron said...

I love your Super Mario inspired mushrooms...so cute!

April said...

I love the mushrooms!!!

Kristen - Dine & Dish said...

I bet your relatives were impressed!

Beth G. @SweetLifeKitchen said...

Your mushrooms rock- beautiful log!!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful yule log Brilynn! And love the mushrooms! I feel bad for missing this challenge as I've never had yule log before...can you believe? Hehe :)

Happy holidays!

Deborah said...

I immediately thought of Mario when I saw your mushrooms!! Great job!

Andrea said...

Your cake looks great, and I just love the Super Mario mushrooms!

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

Your mushrooms have a certain "enchanted forest" quality to them - I can just imagine that a gnome is hiding behind the log.

Katy said...

your mushrooms are adorable!!!

Gretchen Noelle said...

I love the polka-dot mushrooms! Super cute!!!

Natalie, aka "Sheltie Girl" said...

You did a wonderful job on your yule log. The mushrooms are a fun creative touch...they reminded my daughter of the Nintendo Mario games.

Happy Holidays!

Natalie @ Gluten A Go Go

Dolores said...

I was wondering if anyone was going to do Mario-inspired mushrooms. :)

Swiss Colony starts their yule log production in July, but they're essentially overgrown (and overpriced) Ho Hos. Nothing compared to this masterpiece.

I loved the story of your shopping trip in solitude... so very "Courrier & Ives".

I hope you had a joyous and peaceful Christmas celebration, and that 2008 brings you health and happiness, laughter and love.

Sara said...

I should have done that swirly thing on the ends of the "log". And those mushrooms! Awesome!

Wendy said...

Cute mushrooms! Like your story of the snow and walking about. Lovely cake. Wendy

The Baker & The Curry Maker said...

Well done, your Yule looks great, I especially love the mushrooms.

Jen Yu said...

Those mushrooms are just too cute. I want to pluck one off the cake and try it! :) What a lovely yule log - and you braved the weather for it too! Have a happy new year, dear. Will see you in 08!


jen at use real butter

Chibog in Chief said...

i love your mushrooms!!!!

congrats on the succes of your december challenge :-)