Thursday, January 29, 2009

Daring Bakers: Tuiles


This month's challenge is brought to us by Karen of Bake My Day and Zorra of 1x umruehren bitte aka Kochtopf. They have chosen Tuiles from The Chocolate Book by Angélique Schmeink and Nougatine and Chocolate Tuiles from Michel Roux.
Another French-word-I-don't-know-how-to-pronounce to add to the list: tuile. According to our hosts,
"Traditionally, tuiles are thin, crisp almond cookies that are gently molded over a rolling pin or arched form while they are still warm. Once set, their shape resembles the curved French roofing tiles for which they're named. The Dutch angle: traditionally this batter was used to bake flat round cookies on 31st December, representing the year unfold. On New Years day however, the same batter was used but this day they were presented to well-wishers shaped as cigars and filled with whipped cream, symbolizing the New Year that's about to roll on. And of course the batter is sometimes called tulip-paste...."

Attempt #1
No picture included because they ... failed!!! I tried chocolate tuiles first time 'round, and because the batter was already dark I couldn't find a happy baking time. Not so good :P

Attempt #2
Uncreative, yet considerably more successful. Plain/vanilla triangles rimmed with piped chocolate batter and rolled into a traditional cigar shape. I got impatient, however, waiting for my chantilly to set up, and as you can see in the picture, it's kindof droopy. Ok, but I couldn't seriously finish with these.

Third and final attempt
Our lovely, inversion-induced week long break from the weather followed by refreshingly uncharacteristic rain, is now gone. Sigh. Back to the cold and the snow. But I will not be dismayed. I embrace the beauty that winter does bring: a snow flake. Inspired by Wilson Bentley, my last go isn't quite what our host had in mind (sorry, not paired with something light), these snowflake shaped tuiles are my homage to the things I do like about winter.


65 grams / ¼ cup / 2.3 ounces softened butter (not melted but soft)
60 grams / ½ cup / 2.1 ounces sifted confectioner’s sugar
1 sachet vanilla sugar (7 grams or substitute with a dash of vanilla extract)
2 large egg whites (slightly whisked with a fork)
65 grams / 1/2 cup / 2.3 ounces sifted all purpose flour
1 table spoon cocoa powder/or food coloring of choice
Butter/spray to grease baking sheet

Oven: 180C / 350F

Using a hand whisk or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle (low speed) and cream butter, sugar and vanilla to a paste. Keep stirring while you gradually add the egg whites. Continue to add the flour in small batches and stir to achieve a homogeneous and smooth batter/paste. Be careful to not overmix.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to firm up. (This batter will keep in the fridge for up to a week, take it out 30 minutes before you plan to use it).

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease with either butter/spray and chill in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. This will help spread the batter more easily if using a stencil/cardboard template.

Bake butterflies in a preheated oven (180C/350F) for about 5-10 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. Immediately release from bakingsheet and proceed to shape/bend the cookies in the desired shape. These cookies have to be shaped when still warm, you might want to bake a small amount at a time or maybe put them in the oven to warm them up again. (Haven’t tried that). Or: place a bakingsheet toward the front of the warm oven, leaving the door half open. The warmth will keep the cookies malleable.

If you don’t want to do stencil shapes, you might want to transfer the batter into a piping bag fitted with a small plain tip. Pipe the desired shapes and bake. Shape immediately after baking using for instance a rolling pin, a broom handle, cups, cones….

21 comments:

Candice said...

I feel so fancy even reading about these! Have never even heard of chantily (sp?) much less thought of making it - good job!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous snowflakes! What a wonderful, detailed tuile you made - great job! I'm very impressed - you must have the patience of a saint!

Lauren said...

Mmm, your tuiles look beautiful! Love your designs, especially those snowflakes =D!

teegee said...

Well the 2nd ones look tasty and the third ones are just gorge! Glad you kept trying! And yes, the blood orange jelly was delicious!!!

Dewi said...

Oh my gosh, what a cheerful creation. You did your challenge very well.
Bravo.

Rebecca said...

Oh, I just love your snowflakes. What a wonderful, creative response to the challenge!

Sara said...

wow, those snowflake tuiles are amazing! so delicate and beautiful! :)

Lisa said...

I love all of your attempts, especially number 2 since they look so unique, not to mention delicious! Nice job!

Dragon said...

My first batch didn't turn out either. I love your snowflakes! Great job on this month's challenge.

Unknown said...

The snowflakes are so delicate; I can't imagine getting them to cooperate with all the little parts.

apparentlyjessy said...

Woah! You did such a great job with the snowflakes, they are so delicate and pretty!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Wow, what perfect, dainty and delicate looking tuiles! Both versions are great! Beautiful!

Cheers,

Rosa

Barbara Bakes said...

Your snowflakes are beautiful! I'm impressed you made three versions!

karuna said...

wowowowo, loved the snow flakes. they look so prefect and festive. really nice

chef_d said...

so pretty!!

melivanilla said...

OH!! Beautiful!! What a brilliant idea, the snowflakes look so delicate! just as what tuiles are... Philosophical choice that!

kk said...

your snowflakes are so beautiful and so much detail!! It must have been hard getting them off the cookie sheet!! great job!! -kk

Natalie said...

WOW. LOVE the snowflakes (I'm really missing snow here in Cali...). I think my batter was too runny because it never would have ended up as intricate as yours. Amazing job!

TeaLady said...

Beautiful snowflakes. How did you get them so delicate? Fantastic job.

Lunch Buckets said...

The snowflakes are spectacular but the second ones are cracking me up. Cause I'm really a 12 year old boy.

Helene said...

The snowflakes are beyond stunning!