It’s nearly December and the start of la période des fêtes (the holiday season) in France. The holidays are one of my most favorite things about the country, not least because of the Christmas eve and New Year’s eve dinners. The French spare no expense in pulling together the tastiest and most beautiful flavors of the season for these convivial moments, and the traditionally served bûche de Noël Christmas cake tops off the holiday meal in a perfectly festive and French way.
Stylized bûches de Noël from Dalloyau in Paris
Mini ‘bûchettes’ – small yule logs sized for one
The bûche de Noël, or yule log, harkens back to the tradition of burning an enormous hardwood log in French farmhouse fireplaces on Christmas eve. The log needed to burn through the night until Christmas morning, celebrating the birth of Jesus. Around the turn of the twentieth century, the cake version replaced the wooden yule log. In the traditional recipe, the yellow sponge cake is rolled up to resemble a log and frosted with chocolate buttercream icing. Fork tines are often dragged through the frosting to imitate bark, powdered sugar is sprinkled about to look like snow, and sprigs of greenery and meringue mushrooms add a forest-like effect. One bûche de Noël typically serves 6 to 12 people depending on its size.
Homely bûches de Noël from an outdoor market in southwest France
These days, however, the bûche de Noël goes far beyond the basic model of yore. Parisian pâtissiers (pastry makers) have turned these Christmas cakes into an art form. Much like the current competitive craze for the most original almond macarons, yule logs have turned into a pastry fashion frenzy all their own. With every passing year, the top Parisian sweets designers try to outdo each other in imagination and creativity. Their goal? To come up with the most extravagant, exotic and often witty gâteau of the season.
Here is a sampling of some of the Christmas yule logs on offer this holiday in Paris – pastry couture at its finest…Take a tour and vote for your favorite edible jewel in our comments section. And if you will be in Paris to order your Christmas cake, do note that they are very easy on the eyes but sometimes less easy on the pocketbook!
Dalloyau’s milk chocolate, hazelnut & caramel marvel
Pierre Hermé’s realistic yule log – sumptuous chocolate with white meringue
Dark chocolate & red berries in a package ‘très design’ by Lenôtre
Citrus mousse & seasonl fruit compote enrobed in white chocolate by Eric Kayser
Mountains of white chocolate enveloping black currant mousse & quince compote at Fauchon
Arnaud Delmontel’s white peaks – chocolate & raspberry heaven
Stars galore from La Maison du Chocolat – dark chocolate, caramel milk chocolate & touches of citrus fruit
Chestnut, pear and hazelnut bûche de Noël from Hugo & Victor – gluten free!
Another gluten free beauty from Hugo & Victor – passion fruit, mango, pineapple, papaya, ginger, coconut & pistachio
So which one would you serve as the grand finale to your holiday dinner? Weigh in and tell us your choice in the comment section below. And if you are in Paris this December, snap some photos of your favorite bûches and send them to us to post here (info.french@frenchaffaires.com) . The more the merrier. Joyeuses fêtes (happy holidays) to you and yours!
Another bûche de Noël from Lenôtre – I think this one is my favorite this year!
French Take-Out ~ La France à emporter
"Christmas in France: A Celebration of the Holidays French Style" on December 4 at SMU in Dallas, Texas
France is festive at any time of the year but especially around the holidays. Join Dr. Elizabeth New Seitz of French Affaires for a visual tour of the sights, sounds and tastes of Christmas done the French way. In addition to the unforgettable images and stories of Paris and France at holiday time, the event includes a sampling of authentic French Christmas carols. And our holiday evening would not be complete without tasting les bûches de Noël, the traditional French Christmas dessert. Get into the holiday spirit and experience ‘Christmas in France!’
D Home Magazine featuring "Christmas in France" in its latest issue
Date: Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Time: 7 to 9pm
Place: SMU main campus in Dallas, Texas
Registration: To sign up for "Christmas in France," please contact SMU at 214-768-2273 or by clicking here.