Christmas day dessert idea - anyone made a croquembouche?

vicisthebest · 11 Dec 2011 at 23:47

Evening all, going to mum's for Christmas dinner as usual this year but as I'm now working and living away from home I wanted to contribute to the meal. She's suggested I bring dessert.

With this in mind I have wanted for ages to have a go at a croquembouche, and am wondering if this is the perfect time.

Has anyone ever tried making one? How did it turn out? Do you think it's a bad idea after a big Christmas dinner, and I should make something simpler and lighter?

What do y'all think?

Edit: to clarify, there will be 7 of us for dinner, so it won't be a MASSIVE one.

vicisthebest · 12 Dec 2011 at 19:12

Wow I just came back to this thread for the first time and realised I now have a croquembouche-off on my hands! Haha!

vicisthebest · 17 Dec 2011 at 17:06

I've decided to go half-and-half with the cream. Half plain, half flavoured with Bailey's (making it for younger siblings, one of whom is a bit funny about alcohol-flavoured things. She's OK with Bailey's though).

Was still at the thinking stage when I first started this thread but now feeling I have to do it, no backing out now!

vicisthebest · 21 Dec 2011 at 19:13

Bought my ingredients today too. I have never even attempted choux pastry before so had a go at that today, worked very well. I've decided to do it freehand rather than using a mould so it'll probably look like a sack of **** but hey ho, as long as it tastes nice! Got some nice chocolate, some nuts, and some edible gold glitter today - see which one I fancy using on the day!

vicisthebest · 24 Dec 2011 at 12:23

Second batch of choux is in the oven... Got a feeling this one is going to fail. The mixture seemed a lot thicker and I had to put more egg in, just didn't feel right...

Had a go at caramel, turned out really well (beginner's luck?!)

vicisthebest · 24 Dec 2011 at 12:43

Well knock me down with a feather. They were better than the first batch

vicisthebest · 25 Dec 2011 at 16:25

I had a disaster! Whilst making mine I dropped boiling caramel on my fingers resulting in 4 very painful blisters

I had to give the reins to my other half. The resulting croquembouche looked like a sack of **** and am not posting photos! Will post photos of blisters (they look more attractive than the croquembouche!)

vicisthebest · 25 Dec 2011 at 23:40

My phone died, have taken photos on mum's phone. Will post tomorrow when she sends it me, you can all have a good laugh. Haha x

vicisthebest · 27 Dec 2011 at 20:32

OK... here goes, here's mine:

I am, of course, talking ****. Prepare to laugh - I refuse to call it a croquembouche, it was a "pile of profiteroles".

Oh well. It tasted nice and I made it all myself. Just a shame I failed at the final hurdle thanks to my clumsiness!

vicisthebest · 29 Dec 2011 at 13:32

Pic Glaucus! Pic! x

vicisthebest · 29 Dec 2011 at 16:41

Glaucus said:
Just for you.

By no means is it great but I'm pretty happy. If I can get it out and it stands up. Now a pro at making caramel each batch got better and better. Run out of time now, wanted to do so much more yesterday but had to fix parents comp, so didn't get home till late afternoon. Don't think I'll get time to do spun sugar, but I know I can do it know, made enough by accident.

Really want to make this again, need to master piping bag, so they are all neat and same size and smaller.[/QUOTE]

Wow it looks like it's going to be great.

Holy giant picture though, Batman!

vicisthebest · 29 Dec 2011 at 16:56

Yes that's better

Have you not got anything in the middle? Is it a hollow cone? x

vicisthebest · 29 Dec 2011 at 17:08

Fingers crossed! Let me/us know how it goes! x

vicisthebest · 29 Dec 2011 at 20:49

Glaucus said:
, caramels gone sticky and it's collapsed.

Argh! Oh no! Hope it still tastes good! x