Trouble making canelés
My first attempt at canelés
Why did I take it into my head to bake canelés? They are devilishly difficult, that’s public knowledge. But no, I knew better. Results were not pretty, not edible, not even breakable. Still it was fun.
Can an old dog learn new tricks?
Of course they can but maybe not at first attempt.
I was awestruck to discover that R. (my daughter-in-law) had mastered the art of making canelés. I swear I saw her do it right in front of my very eyes! They look so simple on the outside, just funny-shaped little brown cakes. They feel so complex in the mouth, marrying a custard-ish centre in a crunchy skin. Taste so yummy.
Don’t ask me why I decided I too would tackle this monumental challenge, when I could run down the street and buy one for $5 or $6 — what a bargain. When, although once a frequent and fairly competent cook, I now stick to a cake-repertoire of one: almond pompoms. When I live alone and canelés should be eaten the very day they’re cooked.
But I did so decide, and bought an expensive purpose-built baking tray to demonstrate my commitment.
As for my own disastrous first attempt, I recorded the results for posterity, as below.
Recipes give ample warning of the challenge
Re. used this BBC recipe. You wouldn’t call it simple.
For more detail and luscious photos of canelés, look at the Taste of Artisan recipe.
Failing at something can be lots of fun. Especially making caneles. Next time I’ll aim for breakable, at the very least.
I rarely cook, or bake, so this looks like a monumental accomplishment!
It looks seriously misguided to me. But what the heck!
Ten points for trying, Rachel. Now you can put that one to rest and feel ok about life once again 😉
That is doing thinking. But perversely, I already feel fine about it. So funny!
I now live somewhere that I cannot even consider baking a cake…but that’s okay, I can still make art !
Oh this is hilarious. I don’t attempt making difficult food at all. The less tasty a meal is, I eat less.
Very wise!
Thanks 🙇🏽♂️
I’ve had a few cooking mishaps like that in the past, usually from either over- or underestimating how much time and/or heat will be required. But I’m getting better at judging these things now, which is just as well because I like eating and do not want to be reliant on ready-meals!
Ha ha! Experience counts for nothing with canele. Except, I hope, experience with caneles. So I will persevere.
Save them as missiles in case of home invasion!
D#%*! What a waste. They are custom made for self defense against goblins. Goblins don’t like caneles.
I never knew that. Never too old to learn!
Oh the temptation to accomplish what we saw someone else do with ease! My daughter can assemble IKEA furniture so well. So, of course, so should I do the same when I first moved into my retirement assisted living home. I sat on the floor with of pieces of chairs to go with my tiny new table and when a neighbor walked by and saw me, he shook his head and said kindly, “stop what you are doing and I will be back right after lunch to help you.” I stopped, he came back, and my two chairs and little table are still serving me well 5 1/2 yeas later. Now baking something new- I haven’t the facilities but I give you 5 golden stars for trying!
You are so wise! And right. What I find irresistible is the beeswax factor. As for flat pack furniture, one of my nephews loves doing that and for a while it was his actual job. But we have other qualities, Judi. (Ed. So does he.)
Watching Ursula as you bounce the Canele Rock on the table is quite revealing…yet, she still ambles over to check out the fallen failure! 🙂
She is an ambling sort of cat. Not easily impressed.
HA!
True, true.
Good on you for trying something new! And you bought a specialised tray for it – wow! When is your next attempt … I always find that 3rd time’s the charm!