During Christmas, San Geraldo didn't have time to make his Norwegian kransekake
(wreath cake). His first attempt, in 2010, looked great, but the texture and taste were a bit off. The second attempt, 2011, tasted great, but the texture was much too cake-like, which resulted in a nearly fatal avalanche. The third attempt was during our first Christmas in Sevilla. Total disaster. We couldn't even get the baked rings out of their baking forms.
Our friend the Goddess Elena told us it was alright to delay it because she and the kids were up in Bilbao for Christmas and, "There was no reason to make it if [they] can't have any." So, Friday of last week, San Geraldo began the process (and I began cleaning up after him).
(Click any image to enlarge.)
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| THE DOUGH: PREPARED FRIDAY AND REFRIGERATED OVERNIGHT. |
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PLACED IN SIX KRANSEKAKE PANS,
THREE RINGS PER PAN. |
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| READY FOR BAKING. |
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| DON'T 'THEY' SAY A WATCHED KRANSEKAKE NEVER BAKES? |
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REFRIGERATED OVERNIGHT SATURDAY,
AND POPPED OUT OF THE RING PANS SUNDAY. |
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| THE ICING THAT DOUBLES AS CEMENT. |
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| GOING UP... |
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| BIG HANDS WITH A DELICATE TOUCH. |
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| KRANSEKAKE 2015. |
This year's kransekake was the most successful effort yet. The taste and texture were perfect. The tower stayed upright as long as required, but only because San Geraldo reinforced it a bit. He learned this year that he baked it at too high a heat (for our specific oven), which caused the dough to rise a little too much. The more airy pastry can't support the weight. So, now that San Geraldo knows how to make the perfect tasting kransekake, he can focus on making one that can support itself
(although given that it was all gone the same evening, ours doesn't have to support itself for long).
Tower of Power (and Santana)...
Mitchell, this sounds like many of my efforts at yeast baking. I am usually able to pull of a successful pan of pecan rolls for my family, but sometimes things go wrong...not quite done in the middle, too dark on the outside, etc. Congrats to San Geraldo for his tower of rings.
ReplyDeleteLinda:
DeleteMy solution to the problem is to simply never bake. But I'm so glad San Geraldo doesn't think the same way. The kransekake was delicious.
I have never heard of Kransekake, but it looks amazing, and way out of my wheelhouse!
ReplyDeleteBob:
DeleteIt's a huge undertaking. This is when Geraldo deserves the label "San."
Wow, a whole lot of work for something that is gone so fast - but really fantastic looking. Next you will have to make him convert the recipe over to chocolate and give it a go - just for you.
ReplyDeleteCheapchick:
DeleteAn 18-ring tower of chocolate!!!
I think I saw this as one of the challenges on Amazing Race. They had to carry one of these trough a town and deliver it to someone. Might have been a bit bigger than yours, but yours looks more delicious.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteIt's actually bigger than it looks in pictures (yeah, that's what they all say). Funny angle and San Geraldo has huge hands. I'll get the measurements. Whatever, it was soooo good. Even San Geraldo was happy.
Wow, it came out beautiful! Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteCarole:
DeleteAnd the kids took the left-overs to school with them the next day.
Not only looks lovely, but looks delicious as well! Now... this isn't one of those cakes with a baby Jesus embedded in it somewhere, is it? (Honest, I'm just joking)
ReplyDeleteSharon:
DeleteNo baby Jesus. It's a Norwegian cake. You had to find the troll!
How cool!!
ReplyDeleteJudy:
DeleteYeah, I think San Geraldo is a keeper.
Looks tasty, although I'm a bit hesitant about "airy pasture."
ReplyDeleteWalt the Fourth:
DeleteArgh! Thanks for pointing that out. I was on the train to Córdoba and couldn't change it immediately using my smart phone. But I suppose an airy pasture is better than an un-airy pasture... as long as you don't eat it.
Love it...one of the contestants on the great british bake off ( tv series) made one of these last year xx
ReplyDeleteJohn:
DeleteI'll have to see if I can find a clip of that.
Wow! I have never heard of such a thing! Suffer, Martha !!
ReplyDeleteSpo:
DeleteIf Martha were to take this on, I'm sure she'd only use nuts grown in her own almond orchards. I printed out, cut up, and glued together Norwegian flags. She'd have them hand-dyed and woven from the tail hair of a fjording (Norwegian fjord horse).
Is there anything that San Geraldo can't do? This looks delicious and I can see why it didn't 'stand' for long!!
ReplyDeleteJim:
DeleteSan Geraldo can't... well, he can't... hmm... Nothing comes to mind at the moment.
That looks amazing AND delicious!
ReplyDeleteKnatolee:
DeleteIt was BOTH!