And then.....

Hello food.....

The previous post - Croquembouche success - ends on a lovely note of chocolatey happiness.

The next misson was to transport this beautiful beast from Lancaster to North Yorkshire, through the Yorkshire dales on a sunny day.

This was the result

SADNESS ALL ROUND. But as Jess's Messes has always preached, it is all about the flavour, not just the look. In this case it also worked, as it was devoured incredibly quickly by all people celebrating my auntie's birthday. I wish it was more beautiful though.... At least it's a story, and I know next time, get people to come to me for the croquembouche, not the other way around!

Croquembouche Success

Hello food.....

The successful Croquembouche

After an absolute Jess's Messes disarrrster  when making Jane's croquembouche for her birthday, ok it tasted nice, but looked insanely bad, I was determined this time round there would be croquembouche success.

And this time..... there was!

I started making the profiteroles and the creme patissiere filling a couple of days in advance. Then on the day I crisped up the profiteroles, filled them and melted the sugar. Oliver (my clever, maths minded brother) made a lovely cone and the assembling began. This was not a process without pain... I still have a few blisters on my fingers and thumbs from boiling hot sugar disasters, however, it was definitely beginning to feel more stable than last time.

As I slowly built up the tower my confidence grew and ther was real hope that this time it could work. Then, it was time to turn it out.....

Tense...

The moment of truth.

I was so excited, and scared but as i cut and peeled away the cone, it appeared to stay, yes it was holding it's shape - SUCCESS!!!

It lasted all night, and in the morning I added some chocolate to give it colour.

A happy, chocolatey end to any story.

Yay!!

Happy days.....