Daring Bakers Challenge: Le Gâteau Saint Honoré

Once upon a time there was a beautiful swan
Who lived in a lake made of sugar and cream
The swan was happy in his little sweet dream
Surrounded by whipped clouds and caramel bun

When I first saw this month’s challenge, chosen by Helene and Anita, I was a little skeptical and afraid that I wouldn’t be able to make it. I’ve never made Le gâteau Saint Honoré before and I know that if it weren’t for my fellow daring bakers I would have never done it. I guess I am not an adventurous when it comes to this kind of cakes.
Having some bad memories from a greasy, sticky puff pastry, I just didn’t know what to expect with this one. But I wasn’t disappointed. I wasn’t disappointed at all. Not only the puff pastry turns out wonderfully flaky and delicious but also the making of this cake allowed me to challenge my pastry skills and to face my fear of…piping bag.

For years I’ve been avoiding recipes that involves piping bags, using instead ziplog bags or my handy dandy…spoon.
My icing flowers weren’t perfect. Actually they were far from being perfect but I haven’t given up hope that one day I will be an expert on this subject. For a beginner I am quite proud of my self.
The thing that I will change next time is making a smaller portion of this cake because it is just too much for only two persons. Or, I will invite all the daring bakers to share it with me!

Who wants the swan?

Thanks to Helene and Anita for this May’s challenge and for introducing me to this delicious cake that is Le gâteau Saint Honoré. Head over to their respective blogs to find the recipe in its entirety.
Don’t forget to check out other daring bakers’ beautiful creations.
I am now a daring baker and proud of it.