GINGERBREAD BUCHE DE NOEL

GINGERBREAD BUCHE DE NOEL image

Categories Egg

Number Of Ingredients 27

For the praline:
1 cup pecan halves or pieces
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
For the cake:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch, sifted
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 large eggs
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting and rolling
For the filling:
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
Pinch of fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For the frosting:
1/2 cup egg whites (about 4 large)
1 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Steps:

To make the praline: Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat and spread the pecans out on the baking sheet. Bake the nuts for 3 minutes (you want to heat, not toast, them), stir them around and then put them in a warm spot while you cook the sugar. Put the sugar in a small saucepan and pour the water over it. Swirl to moisten the sugar, then put th