Join me as I bake through the Great British Bake Off.
These mini Swiss rolls are reminiscent of Hostess Ho Hos, Little Debbie Swiss Rolls or, in the UK, Cadbury's Mini Rolls — but with the added kick of peppermint! A thin, chocolatey, light sponge is spread with mint buttercream and rolled up like a tiny Swiss roll, then enrobed in melted chocolate.
What better filling for a pumpkin spice Swiss roll than a light, airy eggnog-flavored diplomat cream? The chocolate polka-dots add a whimsical touch to this festive fall treat or holiday dessert!
Charlottes are related to trifles in that they are unbaked and made in a glass dish or mold. The two most well-known types are charlotte russe and charlotte royale. This technical challenge, set by Mary Berry, has a lot of steps but is not difficult. The end result is a showstopper dessert that is light, fruity and perfect for summer!
Despite its humble beginnings, the trifle has become quite an elaborate affair. Nothing to be trifled with, really. It is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate — with layers of sponge or biscuits, fruit and custard, and either jam or fruit-flavored gelatin, all topped with whipped cream or meringue and decorated with fruit or nuts or crumbled biscuits.
When I saw that this week’s challenge was a chocolate cake, all I could think of was Bûche de Noël. I used a classic chocolate genoise sponge recipe as the basis for my showstopper, but I put my own take on the rest, with a coffee mousse filling and forest-floor-inspired decorations.
