Assessment Night

Macaroon and truffle assessment night. Off to a bad start as my eggs whites were not stiff enough so the macaroon mix was too slack and was pouring out of the piping bag! but still had time to make a second batch (much better) used the template to pipe them small 3cm across and made 96 shells!! managed to get 24 perfect ones, I've put the rest in the freezer. Lemon macaroons with a lemon buttercream,lemon curd and fresh raspberry centre. Truffles were amaretto coated with amaretti crumbs and a milk chocolate Viennese truffle rolled in cinnamon sugar. Great night. 2 Distinctions. see piccie of truffles.

Rhubarb and Custard macaroons

Wanted to have another practice with the macaroons this weekend as I have my assessment on Tuesday. Decided to try another flavour combination and I have gone for rhubarb macaroons with a custard buttercream filling. The macaroons piped well and of the 48 I made ( I need 24 perfect ones to make 12 perfect macaroons) I definately had enough good ones to display a set of 12. The flavour of the macaroons could have been slightly stronger as the rhubarb was quite subtle. Kids love them. Hubbie says, "nice, but it's not a sausage roll is it!!" however he thought the smaller size was an improvement- as he hasn't got a sweet tooth- a slight problem when you are married to a cake baker!!! overall I'm pleased. Took a piccie.....

Viennese truffle piccie

Truffles wrapped as a pressie for the girls at work!

Viennese truffles

On Tuesday I had a go at Viennese truffles, I have always had a liking for Thorntons ones and hoped to try and recreate them at college. Quite pleased with the results. I used a milk chocolate courveture and poured steaming cream over and stired in some soft butter. Allow it to set then remove some and melt over a bainmarie whilst you whisk up the remainder. Pour the melted ganache over the whipped and continue to whip, it looks like buttercream. Pipe into truffle sizes and when set cover roll into balls and cover with melted milk chocolate and roll in cinammon sugar. delicious.

macaroons

Third attempt went well. Lemon macaroon with a lemon buttercream and lemon zest filling. The only difference I would make is that more yellow food colour next time and cook on silicone paper instead of the bakeoglide mat. Taste great . Happy tonight. Now need to experiment with more flavours and colours.

longue du chat

Really pleased with these. Had to use a pair of very fine gloves to help me curl these around the handle of my wooden spoon. (Don't worry I washed them first). These got me a distinction.

Sponge and Cake

Theory assessment last week on sponge and cake. This week practical on Blackforest Gateaux and Longue du chat biscuits. I am attempting to curl my biscuits around the handle of a wooden spoon. Ive practiced today and it is tricky to get them all consistent but Ive set myself a challenge. Have a look at the practice piccies......