Balsam fir tips and lemon Yule log
This fragrantly decadent yet delicate Yule log is a fitting and refreshing way to conclude a Holiday meal. The young spruce tips are very aromatic without bitterness and compliment the acidity of the lemons. Serves 10 to 12 guests.
Lemon curd
- 1½ cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- Zest and juice of 3 lemons
- ½ cup un-salted butter
- Generous pinch of salt
Whipping cream
- 1 cup 35% very cold whipping cream
- 2 Tbsp sugar
Balsam fir tips icing
- ¾ cup milk
- 2 Tbsp Balsam fir tips
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 Tbsp cornstarch
- 2 small eggs
- 1¼ cup un-salted butter at room temperature
Cake
- 5 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 tsp vegetable oil
- 2½ Tbsp buttermilk
- 1 cup flour
- 1¼ Tbsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- Icing sugar to sprinkle on cake before rolling
Lemon Curd
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1
Place all the ingredients in a casserole and cook on medium heat, mixing continuously until preparation thickens, approximately 10 minutes.
Whipping cream
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1
Whisk cream and sugar until peaks form.
Balsam fir icing
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1
Pour milk into a large casserole, bring to a boil on high heat. Remove casserole from heat source.
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2
Add fir tips, cover and infuse for at least one hour.
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3
Filter milk, throw out fir tips and reheat milk until it simmers anew.
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4
In another casserole, mix sugar and cornstarch, then incorporate eggs using a whisk.
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5
Pour about 1/3 of the hot milk on egg preparation to heat, whisk well to homogenize the blend. Repeat the process two more times and mix well.
-
6
Heat preparation on medium until thick and boiling, cook another 2 minutes.
-
7
Spread preparation on a baking sheet, cover with saran wrap and let cool thoroughly.
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8
Whisk butter until creamy in a mixing bowl then add cool preparation, 1 Tbsp at a time.
-
9
When preparation is well incorporated into butter, whisk at high speed until blend becomes light and creamy.
Cake
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1
Preheat oven to 350 °F. Oil a baking sheet and line with parchment paper.
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2
Beat eggs and sugar in a blender at high speed until voluminous and pale in colour.
-
3
While whisking, add oil and buttermilk.
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4
In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt.
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5
Using a strainer, sprinkle dry ingredients on egg and sugar preparation, then beat until dry ingredients are incorporated.
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6
Spread blend on to a cookie sheet using a spatula.
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7
Cook in the middle of oven for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick is clean after insertion into the middle of the cake.
-
8
As soon as cake is warm enough to handle, sprinkle presentation side with icing sugar.
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9
Slide a knife blade between cake and baking sheet to unstick sides, then un-mold onto a clean towel.
-
10
Remove parchment paper, then sprinkle the surface with icing sugar.
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11
Using a towel, roll cake and leave in towel for at least one hour to take shape as a log.
Assembly
-
1
Unroll cake, taking care not to apply any garnish 1 centimeter from the edge, spread lemon garnish, then whipping cream.
-
2
Roll cake to fashion a Yule log then transfer to a serving dish.
-
3
Evenly spread icing on log, using a fork trace lines imitating tree bark.
-
4
If desired, decorate with meringue mushrooms (see recipe).
