Bûche de Noël

Every December, Chefs Sidney and Alison used to host guests for a special cooking vacation all about French holiday traditions. While we no longer offer that particular Christmas trip, you can get in the holiday spirit now with their Bûche de Noël, or Christmas log, recipe. Discover all our cooking vacations in France. 

Bûche de Noël

Serves: 12 Prep time: 120 minutes (plus overnight) Cook time: 10 minutes Cook method: Bake Ingredients: Hazelnut dacquoise

• 300 ml (or 1 1/4 cup) egg whites
• 125 g (4 1/2 ounces) caster sugar
• 225 g (1 cup) ground hazelnuts
• 200 g (7 ounces) icing sugar
• 60 g (1/4 cup) flour

Coffee bavarois

• 60 ml (2 ounces) double cream
• 60 ml (2 ounces) milk
• 25 g (1 ounce) caster sugar
• 30 g (1 ounce) yolks
• 1/2 vanilla bean
• 3 grams leaf gelatine, soaked to soften
• 100 g (3 1/2 ounces) double cream
• 50 ml (2 ounces) coffee essence or strong espresso

White chocolate mousse

• 270 g (1 1/4 cup) white chocolate
• 500 ml (2 cups) double cream
• 2 leaves gelatin

Meringue (to garnish)

• 500 g (2 1/4 cup) egg whites
• 850 g (3 3/4 cup) caster sugar

You will also need two molds. Try using one long mold (48 cm by 8 cm) and smaller molds (5 cm by 5 cm) for the inner layer of the bavarois.

Instructions

To make the dacquoise 1. Pre-heat the oven to 200ºC (400ºF). 2. Whisk the egg white and when it starts to froth, add the sugar in spoonfuls until it is all used up and you have a smooth, stiff mixture. 3. Next, sift in the dry ingredients, and then carefully fold them in with a spoon, so as not to lose the air bubbles. 4. Spread onto a flat non-stick baking tray, or a normal baking tray lined with baking paper. 5. Cook for about 8 to 10 minutes. To make the bavarois 6. Put the cream, milk, sugar and vanilla into a pan and bring to the boil. Take off the heat and leave to cool slightly before pouring into the yolks, whisking all the time. 7. Next, add the soaked gelatine and stir in. 8. Once the mixture has cooled and started to thicken, whip the cream to the soft peak stage and fold into the mix. Then add the coffee. 9. Set the bavarois in your smallest molds. To make the white chocolate mousse 10. Melt the white chocolate in a bowl over hot water. Take off the heat and add 100ml of the double cream. 11. Add the soaked and drained gelatine. 12. Semi-whip the cream and fold into the chocolate mix. 13. Pour into your terrine mould and push in the set bavarois so it is level with the top of the mold. 14. Cut the dacquoise so it fits on top, and push it so that it will stick to the mousse. 15. Place in the fridge to set overnight. To make the merinque 16. Whip the egg whites and when they start to froth, slowly start adding the sugar until you have a smooth mixture. You can also add a shot of espresso to this too, if you like coffee flavor. 17. Turn your set bûche from the mold and cover with the meringue, before carefully browning with a blowtorch. Recipe by Alison Bond Search our blog for more chef interviews, recipes, and destinations features. Want something easier? Try this simple recipe for chocolate mousse. Sign up to receive our newsletter, which includes travel tips, recipes, promotions, and information on our best cooking vacations. Find more photos, videos, food facts, and travel stories from The International Kitchen on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube.