Name: Bûche de Noël with Marzipan Mushrooms
Yield: Makes 14 servings
Ingredients: 2/3 cup whole milk; 2 large egg yolks; 2 tablespoons sugar; 3 tablespoons all purpose flour; 1/2 cup marzipan, cut into 1/4-inch pieces; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces, room temperature; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon almond extract; 6 large eggs; 3/4 cup sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup all purpose flour; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 2 tablespoons powdered sugar; 3/4 cup whipping cream; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 5 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped; 4 ounces milk chocolate, chopped; Marzipan Mushrooms

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Bûche de Noël with Marzipan MushroomsDavid Prince

The traditional French "Christmas log" is accompanied by meringue mushrooms; the ones here—formed out of marzipan (a paste made from almonds, sugar and egg whites)—are much easier to do. Look for marzipan at specialty foods stores and in the baking products section of supermarkets.