Pâtisserie Know How, Carrot & Chocolate Chip Cakes and Giveaway #50
Last year, I won a copy of William Curley’s book Couture Chocolate. It’s an excellent tome giving insights and detailed instructions on making chocolates and chocolate pâtisserie. Every aspiring chocolatier should have one. William Curley was the youngest ever Chef Pâtissier at The Savoy and has won numerous awards in the world of chocolate and pastry. This year I was sent a copy of his newest book Pâtisserie. This one is written jointly with his wife Suzue Curley, a pâtissiere whose work is influenced by her Japanese background. Endorsed by renowned pâtissier, Pierre Hermé who writes the Foreword, we get the idea that William is a very talented man indeed.
Twice the size of his last book, but in a similar vain, this is a detailed manual on the art of modern pâtisserie. The history of pastry making is not forgotten and makes a fine start to the proceeding chapters. Perusing the mini biographies of various influential pâtissiers, I have to admit I was only familiar with the names of Marie-Antoine Carême and August Escoffier. A detailed twenty page guide covering ingredients, equipment and basic techniques prepares us for the two main parts of the book: The Foundation and The Pâtisserie.
The Foundation covers all of the basic recipes that are needed in order to create pâtisserie. Comprising nearly half of the 344 pages, it covers all sorts of recipes and techniques for making pastries, doughs, sponges, meringues, creams, custards, mousses, syrups, glazes, compotes and caramels. Each recipe tells you what patisserie it is linked to in the second part of the book and the accompanying page numbers make it very handy to have a quick look. Precision is a key factor and even the eggs and baking powder are measured in grams rather than being left to the vagaries of teaspoons and differently sized eggs.
The Pâtisserie part of the book is where the creativity comes in and succulent tarts, pretty little gâteaux, dainty macarons and various magnificent structures can be seen in all their glory. Each entry refers you back to the basic recipes but includes any additional requirements. Step by step instructions are given throughout, with accompanying informative photographs for all but the simplest creations. The recipes are detailed, often going into four pages. With my love of matcha for baking purposes, I was pleased to see a number of recipes where it featured, including some vibrant green matcha eclairs and Les Misérables – a stacked affair of matcha and almond sponges layered with a Japanese muscovado caramel buttercream. My mouth is watering just at the thought of it and I’m feeling just a little bit miserable that I can’t eat one right now. The photographs of the finished articles, by Spanish photographer and artist Jose Lasheras are works of art in themselves. For the visually orientated and those that like to see what they might make before they attempt it, you will not be disappointed – photographs abound.
As someone who is always in a hurry, elegant pâtisserie is something I very much appreciate but I’m doubtful that I’d have the patience to make myself. So I was glad to see that not everything in the book is complicated. The Baked Cakes section is more in line with what I’m used to and I’m looking forward to trying out some of these slightly more prosaic recipes. The bakes are a mix of traditional with a Curley twist and new creations. The cannelés de Bordeaux au rhum, a recipe I’ve long wanted to make, looked fairly traditional, but I suspect the pâtissiers of old would have been perplexed by the houji cha & hazelnut financiers. It was in this section that I found out that madeleines were much older than I expected and dated back to 1661. Amongst the French fancies, I was surprised to see a Dundee cake. I’m not sure what the good folks of Dundee would think of this version, containing rum-marinated sultanas and decorated with crystallised pistachios, but it sounds very tasty to me. The carrot and chocolate chip cakes, one of Suzue’s recipes, soon caught my eye and I decided those would be my introduction. As usual, I didn’t quite follow the recipe; I suspect my reluctance to embark on some of the more complicated recipes is the need I feel to go my own way and keep things as simple as possible.
This is how I made:
Carrot and Chocolate Chip Cakes
- Melted 150g unsalted butter and left to cool slightly.
- Grated 150g carrots and mixed in a bowl with two medium eggs.
- Stirred in 150g golden caster sugar.
- Sifted in 150g flour (half wholemeal, half white), 25g ground almonds, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon.
- Stirred gently until just incorporated, then stirred in the butter and 75g chopped 70% dark chocolate.
- Spooned the mixture into 24 mini cupcake moulds, filling them to about ¾ full.
- Left to rest for 30 minutes, then baked at 180℃ for about 12 minutes.
I do not have the originals to compare these to, but I absolutely adored these cakes and they didn’t last nearly as long as they should have done. But hey, I was only following the Curley advice to eat them within one or two days.
This book would make a fantastic reference work for anyone interested in learning the techniques and recipes involved in pâtisserie or just wanting to improve their presentation skills. Many of the creations in this book are so magnificent, they are beyond what I even aspire too, but there are so many useful tips and techniques given here I know I shall be referring to it and using it as inspiration for many years to come. If nothing else, it’s a fabulous book to browse through, dream over and treasure.
Patisserie by William Curley and Suzue Curley. Photographs by Jose Lasheras. Published by Jacqui Small in 2014. 9781909342217. It has an RRP of £40. Reviewed by Choclette on 1 July 2014.
To give a flavour of what you will find inside, here is a video of William and Suzue demonstrating one of the recipes: Strawberry and Pistachio Breton Tart.
Thanks to Jacqui Small for the copy of Pâtisserie. There was no requirement to write a positive review and as always all opinions are my own.
Prizes are offered and provided by Jacqui Small and Chocolate Log Blog accepts no responsibility for the acts or defaults of said third party.
Do take a look at the Chocolate Log Blog giveaway page to see if there is anything else you would like to enter.
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Lynne Clark
1st July 2014
I love the look of this book…. patisserie and baking is so satisfying and,I think, the most artistic of the culinary arts. The little carrot friands look lovely, I think they will do nicely thank you for today’s bake for my mum in her care home 🙂
Choclette
1st July 2014
Thanks Lynne – the cakes are a deceptively delicious sweet and very moreish treat. I’m sure your mother would appreciate them. Oh! The book is quite good too 😉
Tracy K Nixon
1st July 2014
Your review sounds lovely and I would like to develop my cake and dessert making skills and become more adventurous too!
Choclette
1st July 2014
Thank you Tracy, always good to hear 🙂
Tracey Peach
1st July 2014
I love baking & always on the look out for more recipes to bake myself
Choclette
1st July 2014
You will certainly find plenty of inspiration here Tracey.
JO BRYAN
1st July 2014
I would love to try my hand at pretty dainty cakes and drool over the photos, I swear I put on pounds just reading my cook books, but its a passion.
Choclette
1st July 2014
Just reading the books is the real key to staying slim Jo, sadly I can’t seem to stop it there 😉
Suelle
1st July 2014
I’d love to win a copy of this book because one day I might find the patience to make fine patisserie.
Choclette
16th July 2014
That’s what I keep hoping too Suelle 🙂
Susan Lindquist
1st July 2014
My goodness! That book is certainly eye candy! Your carrot cakes look tempting too! Did you consider putting a thin layer of ganache atop? With a pretty little marzipan carrot ? That book is already getting my imagination going! Enjoy it, dearie!
Choclette
5th July 2014
Thank you Susan. They were quite sweet cakes and really didn’t need anything else, but I like your idea of a marzipan carrot 🙂
Honey Mercer
1st July 2014
I would love to win a copy of this book because my mum would love it.
Claire
1st July 2014
My goodness…I’ve been longing for this book as Couture Chocolate is one of my Special Things. I’d love to win it though as it IS pricey and right now I’m saving as much as possible to do a patisserie diploma. This book would be such a help and inspiration in practising along the way.
Choclette
16th July 2014
Good luck with your patisserie diploma Claire – what a wonderful thing to do.
Laura Denman
1st July 2014
I’d like to win this book because it sounds really interesting and there is always the need to add a new inserting book to my collection!
mellysocks
1st July 2014
This book looks beautiful and although I would love to keep it for myself,I would give it to my mum who would really appreciate it.
Sarah Wood
2nd July 2014
To be able to create beautiful confections for my bed and breakfast guests and friends would give me great pleasure. Also like many, I love beautiful recipe books.
Alison
2nd July 2014
I am really impressed by those green cakes, wouldn’t it be great to be able to make cakes that look so stylish. Looks like a great book as well
ali thorpe
2nd July 2014
I bake a lot but tend to stick to old favourites and tea cakes. I like the idea of making something more delicate, detailed and artistic but wouldn’t know where to start and this book looks like the perfect place!
ali thorpe
2nd July 2014
I bake a lot but tend to stick to breads, old faves and teacakes. I would like to try making something more delicate and detailed but would need a good guide and this looks ideal!
Linby
2nd July 2014
I fancy having a go at patisserie make a change from my victoria sponge
Kate Hackworthy
3rd July 2014
I love the look of the matcha and almond cakes. And your carrot and chocolate chip cupcakes? Right up my street! I don’t have the patience for fancy desserts, but I would love to try.
Carys Jones
4th July 2014
I don’t have the delicate touch needed to make refined desserts so this book would be an inspiration!
Felicity Smith
4th July 2014
I bake currently but I keep it pretty simple so I would like to “step it up” a bit
Chichi Dodoo
7th July 2014
The carrot chocolate chip cakes look so yummy
Lucy Armstrong
14th July 2014
The book looks amazing! Great blog!
Choclette
16th July 2014
Thanks very much Lucy – it’s a great book and I’m glad you like my blog.
Sarahann Tonner
21st July 2014
I would love to win this and share it with my sister. This would be great to add to our collection and leArn some new skills! Total chocoholics!
emma falvi
21st July 2014
as i love baking, and i would love to learn some new receipes
elaine dale
21st July 2014
would have great fun getting the grandchildren to help bake and eat all the lovely cakes
lucy ann
21st July 2014
It might make my cooking a bit more adventurerous
StaceyD (etcstacey)
21st July 2014
This is such a beautiful blog with lovely ideas .
Katie Morgan
21st July 2014
This book looks amazing – such beautiful cakes.
Kim Neville
21st July 2014
Looks so delicious and I need to improve my cooking skills
patricia bond
21st July 2014
I am dying to get my hands on a copy of this book it looks fantastic, so everything is crossed.
Big Bird
21st July 2014
I’d love to experiment and try to make some fancy cakes for a change
Kathy Cakebread
21st July 2014
love the carrot cake looks nice
Judith Luscombe
21st July 2014
I have a really sweet tooth and am always on the look out for new sweet recipes
Kay leigh
21st July 2014
I would love to win this as I love making cakes
Kay panayi
Christopher Packer
21st July 2014
Baking is so rewarding, would love to try out this books recipes
Christopher Packer
21st July 2014
Baking is so rewarding, would love to try out this books recipes
Sam Williams
21st July 2014
Because I would love to get better at baking
Anonymous
21st July 2014
Would love to try my hand at these. May inspire me to be more ambitious.
Sarah Hurrell
Jillanne David
21st July 2014
salivating already
Michelle Banks
21st July 2014
i would love to have a go at the recipes, improve my baking skills x
Jo Hutchings
21st July 2014
Although I’m an enthusiastic cook I’m not a very skilled one. Hopefully this would help!
Richard Randall
21st July 2014
I’m a keen bread maker but would love to try being a pâtisserie.
laura stewart
21st July 2014
would love this for my mum x
Sandra Lane
21st July 2014
I’ve only recently started baking and would like to extend my skills. I have French relatives and would really like to impress them with my new skills. This lovely book would help me greatly.
clair downham
21st July 2014
to help me out baking i need it
Anonymous
21st July 2014
these look absolutely lovely, would love to try and make these
Claire D
greigspencer
21st July 2014
this book looks cool
Karen Usher
21st July 2014
I would love to get my hands on this book. Might surprise my hubby and make him something good for when he gets home from work….Im not the best chef in the world!
Chris L
21st July 2014
It’s the delicacy of the decorating that’s so breathtaking: would like some instruction on how to achieve such perfect pastries!
clairew137
21st July 2014
I love looking at the pictures and would like to have a go.
bopper
21st July 2014
though I love their creations, I`m always a little nervous about following through their ideas so this book would be a great source of ideas and encouragement
sam
21st July 2014
I’d love to win so I can improve my skills, I’m quite good at baking cakes and biscuits but haven’t really tried anything to technical and would love to hone my skills and be able to create these mini masterpieces.
Angie Hoggett
21st July 2014
I’m always on the lookout for new recipes to bake and this would expand my collection!
tarbs gill
21st July 2014
I am completely rubbish at cooking.. so this would be determined effort if I did win the book, it would be put to good use.
Rachel Gilbey
21st July 2014
Sounds like a book that can help you make some lovely delicious treats
Sarah Davies
21st July 2014
I love where art and food entwine.
Anonymous
22nd July 2014
As a gift for a friend who enjoys baking. We enjoy the results of the baking :- Delicious.
Rachel Craig
Twiddle Dee
22nd July 2014
I would love to make some impressive desserts 🙂 Natalie Gillham x
David Zipfell
22nd July 2014
I love baking, so this book looks really good and so does the recipe which i will be trying very soon.
Chris
22nd July 2014
Why would you like to win a copy of this book?………As l am about to take early retirement l would have the time and opportunity to try most of the gorgeous recipes it contains
laura banks
22nd July 2014
i like getting new ideas and this looks fab
Anonymous
22nd July 2014
I love cooking, but never been good at desserts, etc – Im fine at everything else!! – hopefully could help me
(Spencer Broadley)
Rachel Davies
22nd July 2014
I’ve really got into baking since the Great British Bake Off but sadly my attempts are not great yet, so I could really use some help – @Rcd2129 on twitter
Paula Readings
22nd July 2014
I am not a great cook, I have the mind set, just not the skills. It would be nice to follow an ‘Idiot proof’ recipe book.
soozwales
22nd July 2014
just a nike book to get me back into baking .
soozwales
22nd July 2014
Just a nice book to get me back into baking.
Viv C
23rd July 2014
I need some new ideas – have done much baking since the birth of my little one.
Angela Williams
23rd July 2014
It would take my baking to the next level
Isis1981uk
23rd July 2014
I have such a sweet tooth & need some new recipes!
Chris
23rd July 2014
I’ve just started baking and I’d love to make something special for my family.
Emily Carter-Dunn
24th July 2014
I love baking and need something to do over the holidays!
michaelaeloise
25th July 2014
Because my mam loves anything to do with baking so this would make a lovely gift!
Anonymous
25th July 2014
Looks great 🙂
Michelle Ferguson
25th July 2014
I would love to win as the book looks fab and I love baking
Reg Vandra
25th July 2014
Would love to bake well
Anonymous
26th July 2014
Would love to try some serious baking!
Stephen Little
steve_c_little@yahoo.com
shirlz51
26th July 2014
would love this to try something new
CLAIRE LITTLE
26th July 2014
would be great to try
Caroline Kelly
26th July 2014
Looks lush, I love baking!
donna jones
26th July 2014
because the receipes look fantastic
Amanda Young
26th July 2014
I’ve got a very sweet tooth and love baking 🙂
Caroline Blaza
27th July 2014
Always looking for new recipes to try I love baking
styles5433
27th July 2014
I would like to win it for my 13 year old daughter- she bkaes regularly and sometimes even without a recipe and her cakes are wonderful- she has set her heart on being a baker with her own business when she leaves school and this would be a great present for her to advance her skills
Eleanor Jones
27th July 2014
Beacuse I love baking and would love to try some new recipes!
Jim D
27th July 2014
my wife would love this, and I’d love what she makes.
Jill
27th July 2014
Looks great 🙂
Janine Atkin
27th July 2014
I love baking and can’t resist trying new things
Caroline Bellamy
27th July 2014
I’m a aspiring baker but def need some help!
Annmarie Jefferies
28th July 2014
I would love to win this book I’m always looking for new ideas in the kitchen
Clare Scanlan
28th July 2014
I love cakes and baking!
David Allen
28th July 2014
My daughter has just started baking and this would be so good to inspire her
elizabeth ferguson
28th July 2014
I’d love to try some of the recipes out with my children.
carl jones
28th July 2014
Wonderful book with some amazing and easy to follow Recipes
Allan Fullarton
28th July 2014
I love baking and this could only improve my skills.
Kayleigh
28th July 2014
Because I am absolutely terrible at baking and my kids would be over the moon if I could make them some tasty treats
agaue1
28th July 2014
i would love to win to make some of the amazing recipes for my friends and family
LEE HARDY
28th July 2014
LOVE CARROT CAKE
Angela Paull
28th July 2014
I love to try something new but it needs to be simple!!
Bernadette Willis
28th July 2014
I’d love to win it because my Mum is a chocoholic and would greatly appreciate it, and I’d enjoy sampling her efforts too.
Cecile Davis
28th July 2014
I love baking it’s my hobby and im Keen to be baking different cakes and all sorts Fingers crossed Just entered this comp 🙂
Pam Francis Gregory
28th July 2014
I would love to give some of these wonderful recipes a go!
sheridarby
28th July 2014
The recipes look really delicious
Lucia Jefferson
28th July 2014
To give it to my brother’s girlfriend
Lauren Old
28th July 2014
So I feel encouraged to be more creative with food!
Anonymous
28th July 2014
It’s low calorie …………
……………. as long as I don’t actually make any of the recipes. 😉
@jaizduck
Nicola Robinson
28th July 2014
Its my dream to be a chef and im just getting started really…
Jadey Walsh
28th July 2014
I’d love to win this for my nanna as she is an avid cook 🙂
Chris Fletcher
28th July 2014
I love to cook, but I’m rubbish at cakes and baking in general! Would love to learn a few tricks
KeithW
28th July 2014
So may recipes, so much great patisserie, so little time….
Laura Caraher
28th July 2014
I’m drooling over the matcha eclairs and Les Misérables as I love baking with matcha
Amy Jo McLellan
28th July 2014
I’m a rubbish cook at sweet things but I’d love to learn with the help of this book 🙂
Mark Tebbutt
28th July 2014
wow i be over moon to win this book
lisa ann tebbutt
Anonymous
29th July 2014
just got back into baking and this looks great.
Brian Thornton
29th July 2014
I would love to win a copy of this for my wife.She loves baking and is always trying out new recipes.
Anonymous
29th July 2014
To try out some recipes for the tasty looking cakes
trevor linvell
HayleyT
29th July 2014
I would love to win this amazing book! Over the last year I have started baking and am amazed at how far I have come in such a short space of time. This book looks to be filled with amazing creations which i would love to be able to try!
avmartin30
29th July 2014
love cooking, love cookery books, really need to learn more with the baking tho
Stevie Fairbairn
29th July 2014
I think now and again we should do something a bit more challenging. I’d like to have a go at something tricky.
lia sturman
29th July 2014
looks like its easy for me to follow
Eleanor Powell
29th July 2014
I would love this book as I love making desserts and teaching my daughter how to cook
Amy Jacobson
29th July 2014
I love baking and cooking and collecting recipe books
dragonfly63
29th July 2014
If you recommend it it must be good.
HGrout
29th July 2014
These look yummy recipes !
Amy Jupp
29th July 2014
I’ve got a wedding to help out with and would love some ideas to make the table stand out with yummy treats
Ellie Jones
29th July 2014
I love baking and love trying new recipes 🙂
Strepsy
29th July 2014
I’d love to try some of these recipes, they look mouthwateringly gorgeous!
Hannah Ingham
29th July 2014
To try out some brand new recipes!
Rachel Bustin
29th July 2014
gorgeous book! lovely recipes x
Jill Fairbank
29th July 2014
my mum would love it
jackier333
29th July 2014
Because it looks amazing
Kirsty Mackay
29th July 2014
I love baking and in particular I like to take my time and make intricate sweet treats such as nougat or Macaroon’s so I really think this lovely looking recipe book would be right up my street.
Charmian Filewood
29th July 2014
It all looks so stunning so would love to try and recreate these masterpieces, I’m not the best at baking but with practice and some more confidence I believe I could pull it off 😀
Natalie Crossan
29th July 2014
My baking would be world class 🙂
Samantha Fernley
29th July 2014
I’d love to win as I need some new ideas.