Light as a Feather, Crisp as a Tuile
January 29, 2009 at 12:00 am | In Baking / Cooking, Food | 109 CommentsAllowing us Daring Bakers a bit more time to recover from holiday excess, it was a brilliant scheme to propose a lighter, easier challenge. Instead of the typical novel of a recipe that rattles on for 18 or more pages, this one was quite simple, but allowed for plenty of creative freedom- Exactly what I crave.
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.
Like most DB challenges these days, I was at first miffed by the simplicity of those plain old tuiles, this boring and unexceptional cookie that could be easily made by newbie bakers. Instead of wasting time and getting in a huff though, I quickly moved on and made exactly what I would have wanted from the challenge. What else other than a plated dessert?
Believe it or not, this one required no veganization on my part, as Lolo had already concocted a perfect recipe for vegan tuiles, which I happily put to use. Going with the theme of “light and airy,” I sketched out a few shapes of little birds and then cut them out of cardboard to make my templates. Coloring the dough by using beet juice instead of water, plus just a tiny pinch of paprika, my love birds took flight in rosy shades of pink. A tiny dab of the batter mixed with cocoa created their eyes.
Perched upon spun sugar nests, these crispy feathered cookies were quite an adorable pair, and I could have easily stopped there. But no, I had my heart set on a composed plate of different flavors and textures. Starting from the bottom up, rounds of fluffy chocolate cake were topped with pistachio mousse, making for a rich, creamy base to contrast nicely with the wafer-thin tuiles. Surrounded by a simple coconut foam, each bite was a little bit different, but all were satisfying to both my sweet tooth and my inner pastry chef.
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OMG. Gorgeous, creative, and TOO cute! I would squeal with delight if I were ever served that! Well done!
Comment by Megan — January 29, 2009 #
How cute. your tuiles are really original and nice :)
Comment by snooky doodle — January 29, 2009 #
You have officially made my favorite shaped tuiles ever.
I love them.
Comment by B36Kitchen — January 29, 2009 #
Those are darling and so creative! Love the pink birdies :) BTW, we have the same WP theme. I thought I was commenting on my own post for a nano-second..lol
Comment by lisamichele — January 29, 2009 #
Just Gorgeous : Bravo !!! :-)
Comment by Nawal — January 29, 2009 #
ooooh, these are so cute! :) yum!
Comment by sara — January 29, 2009 #
Those are awesome! I think if I was served that I’d have a hard time eating it, just because it’s so cute I’d want to keep it. Great job!
Comment by Candice — January 29, 2009 #
Oh, Hannah these are so precious! They’re so romantic and, more importantly, TASTY looking. I bet a treat like this would make Valentine’s Day tolerable for me.
These challenges always turn out so impressively. Another great one!
Comment by Veronica — January 29, 2009 #
I love the little birdies…they are adorable! Great job with these.
Comment by Tanya — January 29, 2009 #
Hannah, these are so beautiful. Definitely a great start to the year.
I used the same recipe though I’m afraid I didn’t have much success with this challenge.
Comment by Aparna — January 29, 2009 #
So nice, so cute, waouw ! Toujours, aussi beau, quel talent :)
Comment by vgpower — January 29, 2009 #
I love your bird shaped tuiles! They look lovely and the colour is nice too, you are so innovative Hannah!
Comment by Yaelian — January 29, 2009 #
Wow! What a beautiful idea!
Comment by morgana — January 29, 2009 #
Your birdy tuiles are really very cute !
Comment by Foodie Froggy — January 29, 2009 #
What beautiful cookies!
Comment by Happy Vegan Lady — January 29, 2009 #
Incredibly elegant and fun! Really really lovely!
(and thanks for the not-huffing hehe)
Comment by Baking Soda — January 29, 2009 #
Adorable! But too cute to eat!
Comment by Becks~not a rabbit — January 29, 2009 #
Oh they’re so cute! Almost too cute to eat!
Comment by clumbsycookie — January 29, 2009 #
Your tuiles are just perfect: beautiful, yummy and so on … So sad not to be part of the challenge this month !
Comment by Julie — January 29, 2009 #
woweee, your tuiles are stunning! what a great idea using paprika for coloring, I’ll definately try that next time!
Comment by squeaky mouse — January 29, 2009 #
You’ve done a fantastic job. Love the dove shapes and the pairing as well. Beautiful.
Comment by Jo — January 29, 2009 #
I’m BEYOND awestruck with this one – wowza!!
Comment by VeggieGirl — January 29, 2009 #
That is adorable, and very creative.
Comment by Jenny — January 29, 2009 #
wow, these are the cutest tuiles I’ve ever seen! So creative! the whole plated dessert is gorgeous!
Comment by sandra — January 29, 2009 #
This is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen done with a dessert! The nest is perfect and you made not only the colors work together but the flavors too. Great job Hannah!
Comment by Shelby — January 29, 2009 #
What intrigues me most about that photo is the coconut foam.
Comment by Ed Coffin — January 29, 2009 #
What a wonderful job you did on this challenge. Your dish worked out so well I’m impressed. The combination of flavours is very well thought out. I too also thought this was too simple a recipe BUT this was the most fun of all the challenges I have done. The tuiles taste so good and can be used for so many fillings this is one recipe I will be doing again and again. Great job!!!!!!
Comment by Audax Artifex — January 29, 2009 #
So CUTE!
Comment by Sydney — January 29, 2009 #
oh my tuile-ly goodness!!
Comment by denny — January 29, 2009 #
what a cute idea! i love them
Comment by Kiersten — January 29, 2009 #
So cute! I’m a sucker for anything with a bird on it!
Comment by erin @ dessert girl — January 29, 2009 #
Totaly beautiful! What a creative idea… delicate as birds! WOW!
Comment by Vibi — January 29, 2009 #
What a beautiful plate Hannah! I love all of the elements… that pistachio mousse sounds delicious.
Comment by Vegan_Noodle — January 29, 2009 #
Amazing! Great job challenging yourself!
Comment by Gretchen Noelle — January 29, 2009 #
OMG these are so cuuuuteeee :-)! I totally love them :-)! Compliments :-)!
Comment by dolcigine — January 29, 2009 #
Wow! These are amazing and creative. Did the flavor come out the way you wanted it to? I’m just curious if the beet juice made them sweeter than the water would.
Comment by omnidudemeandthebean — January 29, 2009 #
Absolutely gorgeous and so creative!
Comment by Amanda — January 29, 2009 #
You always amaze me! Absolutely beautiful. What is the yellow nesting made of?
Comment by Suzanne — January 29, 2009 #
Well done!The birds look beautiful, stunning color!
Comment by Veggie Wedgie — January 29, 2009 #
Oh, so pretty and delicate! What a delightful dessert!
Cheers,
Rosa
Comment by Rosa — January 29, 2009 #
Gorgeous as always, m’dear! I see Valentine tuiles in my future :-)
Comment by jumbleberryjam — January 29, 2009 #
Ack! It’s DB posting day and I haven’t done my tuiles yet! I really need to get more organized.
Anyhow, your tuiles are adorable. What an inspiration, you are! :)
Comment by Marni — January 29, 2009 #
How beautiful! I would have been estatic with just the birds but of course I’m a newbie! :-)
~ingrid
Comment by ingrid — January 29, 2009 #
Those are amazing. AMAZING!
http://strawberriesinparis.wordpress.com
Comment by liz2024 — January 29, 2009 #
Very cute presentation! I love the sugar thread nest.
Comment by Maggie — January 29, 2009 #
This. Is. Adorable! Great Job!
Comment by Tara — January 29, 2009 #
That is sooo cute! Not only is it adorable, it looks delicious. You rocked another challenge, sweetie. Perfection!
Comment by Jen Yu — January 29, 2009 #
I love these! The sugar nest is super cute!
Comment by jillian — January 29, 2009 #
Awe, your tuiles are adorable! Love the bird and the colour!
Comment by Lauren — January 29, 2009 #
they’re so cute! you are always so creative, hannah.
Comment by allularpunk — January 29, 2009 #
Adorable, and it looks delicious! The pistachio mousse sounds amazing!
Comment by Artie — January 29, 2009 #
What beautiful little birds. Great job with the challenge!
Comment by Rebecca — January 29, 2009 #
This so cute and colorful! Makes me think of spring…and warmth.
Comment by prettytastycakes — January 29, 2009 #
Holy…..what the hell Hannah, how are you so freaking creative??? I love them, they are SO adorabale!
Comment by Gina — January 29, 2009 #
wow! Gorgeous! I like your idea of using beet juice to make them pink. Brilliant!
Comment by katie — January 29, 2009 #
Hannah, those are beautiful!!!!!!!
Comment by tahinitoo — January 29, 2009 #
Absolutely gorgeous!
Comment by Vegyogini — January 29, 2009 #
It’s almost too beautiful to eat!
Comment by Alice Leonard — January 29, 2009 #
Those are so cute. What a great idea. They would make a perfect spring dessert! love it!
Comment by Chuck — January 29, 2009 #
I love the mama and baby birds! Great job!
Comment by Speedbump Kitchen — January 29, 2009 #
Those are amazing, Hannah! So so lovely.
Comment by aTxVegn — January 29, 2009 #
I really wish I could slowly savor/gobble that up right now. Not only does it look professional, it looks like it tastes amazing!
Comment by Jes — January 29, 2009 #
super duper job! Two thumbs up. I love these little birds. They would make such a sweet valentines day treat.
Comment by Dayna — January 29, 2009 #
Great idea – I wish I’d had the good sense to make flat tuiles. It could have saved lots of time and heartache. (Not to mention money!) This is gorgeous and looks quite tasty!!
Comment by Leah — January 29, 2009 #
You did a fabulous job! I love your very creative presentation.
Natalie @ Gluten A Go Go
Comment by Sheltie Girl — January 29, 2009 #
Oh my gosh! I LOVE the idea of that yummy little nest of pistachio and chocolate for those adorable little tuille birdies!
Comment by DJ — January 29, 2009 #
OMG, they are truly amazing, so beautiful and the color is so soft. I really like it.
You did very very well.
Bravo.
Comment by Elra — January 29, 2009 #
The elegant little rose birds are adorable and the dessert looks truely 5 star. Amazing! =)
Comment by laci — January 29, 2009 #
So beautiful!
Comment by Meryl — January 29, 2009 #
Great creativity!
Comment by Pennies on a Platter — January 29, 2009 #
Gorgeous, creative, and cute! Loved your blog ;o)
Comment by Glauce — January 29, 2009 #
These are so beautiful. I love how you always put your own spin on projects.
Lovely pics, as always.
Comment by Still Life in South America — January 29, 2009 #
Stunning, Hannah! Your love birds are absolutely adorable and the main part of the dessert sounds just wonderful. I wish I could taste it!
Comment by Angela @ A Spoonful of Sugar — January 29, 2009 #
These are stunning! Great job on this month’s challenge.
Comment by Dragon — January 29, 2009 #
Those birds are a great shape, I love them in the nest.
Comment by peabody — January 29, 2009 #
Gorgeous tuiles Hannah! And the penguins from a couple posts ago are ADORABLE :)
Comment by Gigi — January 29, 2009 #
OMG! So adroable!
Comment by Marija — January 29, 2009 #
When I scrolled down and saw the pictures of your tuiles, I caught my breath. I could not believe how absolutely creative you were with this challenge. Wow. I am humbled.
Comment by Lynn — January 29, 2009 #
Once again, you’re so creative. Love the spun sugar nest and bird tuiles. Perfect for Spring, which should be coming sometime soon!
Comment by Shari — January 29, 2009 #
It would certainly take a hardened heart to deny the cuteness and loveliness of your tuile creation!
Comment by Y — January 29, 2009 #
Too cute! Looks like you’ve already got the perfect dessert for Easter!
Comment by Mary — January 29, 2009 #
Wow, absolutely brilliant, very well done!
Comment by Namratha — January 29, 2009 #
Great looking tuile!!
Comment by Kevin — January 29, 2009 #
Everything you create is artwork!
Comment by Hayley — January 29, 2009 #
Very graceful, Hannah! Great work indeed.
Comment by shellyfish — January 30, 2009 #
I love the stunning form of submission
Comment by cookemila — January 30, 2009 #
Those are really beautiful, you are very talented!
Comment by Aly — January 30, 2009 #
fantastic…I love that they are on sugar spun nests!
Comment by veron — January 30, 2009 #
So adorable and whimsical! I just love them.
Comment by Zoe Francois — January 30, 2009 #
super cute. I love the nest idea as well. I tried Lolo’s recipe and ruined it but I should have suspected as we cannot end my streak of first try failures :)
Nice work! I looks delicious!
Comment by bex — January 30, 2009 #
Hannah these are so cute – and your plated dessert is gorgeous. I bet it was as delicious as it is elegant! Pistachio mousse…mmmm. And, I can’t tear my eyes away from that chocolate cake, it must have been great all together :)
Comment by madcap cupcake — January 30, 2009 #
I love the shape!
Comment by Oiyi — January 30, 2009 #
What do you use for surfaces and backgrounds in your pictures? It always looks FABULOUS, and perfectly compliments the food, and I’m dying to know!!
Comment by amarie1219 — January 30, 2009 #
Love your creation! The presentation is just gorgeous!
Comment by pigpigscorner — January 30, 2009 #
Wow, that looks amazing! Just like a 5-star restaurant dessert, actually better than 5 stars! :-)
Comment by chow vegan — January 30, 2009 #
Oh…so sweet! These are truly adorable. I also love the chocolate cake and pistachio mousse combination. I love everything! Beautiful job!
You have a gorgeous space here!
Comment by lisa (dandysugar) — January 30, 2009 #
How wonderfully creative! Beautifully done!
Comment by culinography — January 31, 2009 #
OMG!!!! these are the most creative tuiles ever! i love the birds nest.. so beautiful!
Comment by Mariposa — January 31, 2009 #
Absolutely stunning, Hannah!
Comment by Nicole — February 1, 2009 #
Wow! I’m speechless. Stunning doves of peace!
Comment by zorra — February 1, 2009 #
Beautiful little lovebirds! And great attitude – when you don’t find something challenging, make it challenging!
Comment by Caitlin — February 1, 2009 #
Very creative, looks great!
Comment by Kim — February 1, 2009 #
Oh my goodness, those are too cute! I have tuile envy!
Comment by mtbVegan — February 1, 2009 #
I don’t even know what to say. I’m so impressed with your creation! It’s really beautiful and creative.
Comment by Diana — February 3, 2009 #
Adorable!
Comment by Melisser — February 3, 2009 #
How creative both in looks, texture and taste!
Comment by linda — February 5, 2009 #
Beautiful and delicate, I like the pink tint.
Comment by Sophie — February 5, 2009 #
Ha! I thought my “zeal for tuiles” was clever, but that “Light as a Feather, Crisp as a Tuile” – talk about bringing back memories of late-night teenage goofiness. Would love to learn where you got that pistachio mousse recipe! Chocolate, pistachios and tuiles, yum, yum. Beautiful job!
Comment by Aimee — February 5, 2009 #
Hannah, it’s simply stunning!
Comment by bakingobsession — February 6, 2009 #