Oak Tree B?che de No?l

The valley oaks that dot central California's golden hills were the inspiration for this spin on the French holiday dessert. Guests are sure to be impressed, but the dessert is pretty easy to pull off if you start a day ahead. You’ll need a jelly roll pan; a small offset spatula and small fine-mesh strainer are also helpful.

Serves 12 TO 14

Ingredients

Cake
Salted butter for the pan
1/4 cup plus about 2 tsp. flour
5 large eggs, separated
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling
1/4 cup hazelnut-flavored liqueur
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/3 cup each toffee bits, such as Heath, and finely chopped roasted hazelnuts
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup salted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
Silver pearl dust*
Lime-green color dust*
Rosemary branches or other slim, nontoxic twigs, about 8 in. long, leaves stripped
Oak Leaf Cookies
Marzipan Acorns


Sunset
December 2017