Ready to bake a true showstopper? These elegant cakes, tortes, and tarts are perfect for any holiday gathering. With rich chocolate, festive fruits, and beautiful presentations, these desserts taste even more incredible than they look. Each one can be made in part or in whole to make managing your holidays easier.
Buche de Noel
The Buche de Noel is a spectacular extravaganza from France and is one dessert, among many, of their gifts to the world of food. And what a gift it is! While it looks complicated, it can be done over several weeks. I have posted a schedule that makes this doable.
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27 Layer Tuille Torte
A variation of this magnificently layered Tuile Torte appeared in my first book, "The New Pastry Cook". It is actually easy to make, but it is time consuming. The fact that most of it can be done ahead makes it very possible. Fourteen layers of tuile and 13 layers of mousse are a show stopper anyway you look at it.
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Exceptional Tuxedo Cake
Named after the black suit with a white vest, shirt and tie, a tuxedo exudes luxury on sight as does this cake. An easily made decadent chocolate cake it's layered with both a chocolate and Bailey's white chocolate mousse. This cake recipe is the perfect celebration cake for any occasion.
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Dobos Torte - An Hungarian Speciality
Dobos Torte is one of Hungary's best known desserts. The butter sponge layers are filled sparingly with a light, delicate but intense chocolate buttercream. You won't believe the ease of the buttercream made quickly and easily in a food processor .
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Orange Cranberry Cake - A Holiday Speciality
What could possibly say it's a holiday celebration more than an orange chiffon cake, cranberry filling, dark chocolate ganache filling all ensconced in whipped cream? To make it more doable, all of the components can be made ahead.
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Riene de Saba Cake with Candied Cranberries
This frozen Reine de Saba is the perfect dessert for a busy schedule as the entire cake can be done a month ahead. A deeply chocolate base with a frozen chocolate mousse is served with sweet/tart candied cranberries.
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Marjolaine - A Classic Flourless Pastry
This Marjolaine is one of the most elegant gluten free desserts to be found and is, indeed, a special occasion dessert. Don't let its many parts dissuade you from making this. Almost every part can be made ahead just waiting to be assembled.
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Make Ahead Cranberry Linzer Tart
Cranberry Linzer Tart with its bright deep red, vibrant, cranberry filling is a variation of the Viennese Linzer Tart with raspberry filling. The spiced Linzer pastry is a perfect partner with the cranberries. It is best made ahead so the flavors can blend making this a natural for the holiday season. It can also be baked and frozen until needed.
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