*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                     CARAMEL-ORANGE BUCHE DE NOEL

Recipe By     :
Serving Size  : 2    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Cakes

 Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
                       -BUTTERCREAM
  6       lg           Egg yolks
    1/3   c            Firmly packed dark brown
                       -sugar
  2       tb           All purpose flour
  1 1/2   c            Half and half
  8       oz           Imported white chocolate
                       -(such as Lindt), chopped
  1 1/2   ts           Grated orange peel
                       -CAKE
  1 1/2   c            Toasted sliced almonds
  2       tb           Unbleached all purpose
                       -flour
  6       lg           Eggs, separated
 10       tb           Firmly packed dark brown
                       -sugar
  1       t            Grated orange peel
    1/2   ts           Vanilla extract
    1/2   ts           Cream of tartar
    1/8   ts           Salt
                       Powered sugar
  1       c            (2 sticks) unsalted
                       -butter, room temperature
  1       tb           Grand Marnier or other
                       -orange liqueur
                       Pine twigs
                       Candied Cranberries (see
                       -recipe below) or fresh
                       -currants

  The buche de Noel, or Christmas log, was created in the late
 nineteenth century by Parisian pastry chefs, who were inspired by the
 real logs that burned on hearths throughout the night on Christmas
 Eve. Our version can be decorated with Candied Cranberries or fresh
 currants. Enjoy with a glass of orange liqueur or Sauternes.

  8 Servings

  FOR BUTTERCREAM: Whisk egg yolks, sugar and flour in medium bowl to
 blend well. Bring half and half to simmer in heavy medium saucepan.
 Slowly whisk hot half and half into egg mixture. Return egg mixture
 to same saucepan and cook until mixture boils and thickens, whisking
 constantly. Transfer mixture to medium bowl. Add chocolate and orange
 peel and stir until mixture is smooth. Press plastic wrap onto
 surface f pastry cream to prevent skin from orming. Cool completely.
 (Pastry cream can be prepared 1 day ahead. Refrigerate. Bring to room
 temperature before continuing.)

  FOR CAKE: Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Butter llxl7-inch jelly roll
 pan. Line with parchment. Butter and flour parchment. Coarsely grind
 toasted almonds with flour in processor. Using electric mixer, beat
 yolks with 5 tablespoons brown sugar in medium bowl until slowly
 dissolving ribbons form when beaters are lifted. Stir in orange peel
 and vanilla extract. Using clean dry beaters, beat whites with cream
 of tartar and salt in large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add
 remaining 5 tablespoons brown sugar and beat until stiff but not dry.
 Fold whites into yolk mixture. Gently fold in almond mixture.

  Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake until toothpick inserted
 into center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Run small sharp knife
 around pan sides if necessary to loosen cake. Slide cake on parchment
 onto rack. Cool.

  Slide cake on parchment onto work surface. Loosen cake from parchment
 using heavy large knife as aid. Sift powdered sugar over cake. Invert
 onto cookie sheet. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and invert onto
 another parchment sheet. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large
 bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in Grand Marnier. Add pastry cream
 1/4 cup at a time, beating after each addition until just blended.

  Spread half of buttercream over cake, leaving 1/2-inch border.
 Starting at 1 long side, roll up cake jelly roll fashion. Arrange
 seam side down on parchment. Set aside 1/2 cup buttercream; spread
 remaining buttercream over cake. Cut 2 inches off each end of cake,
 cutting on diagonal. Transfer cake to platter. Attach ends to top of
 cake, forming branches. Spread reserved 1/2 cup buttercream over cake
 ends and seams. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour to firm
 buttercream. (Cake can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and
 refrigerate. Let cake stand at room temperature 20 minutes before
 serving.)

  Arrange pine twigs on cake and on platter. Garnish with cranberries.