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Canneles from Bordeaux: Canneles de Bordeaux

These extraordinary little confections are a specialty of Bordeaux, where nuns were said to have created them more than 200 years ago using the flour they salvaged from the holds of sailing ships anchored in the Port de la Lune. I like to call them "portable creme brulee" because they contrast a crunchy caramelized exterior with a moist, custardy center. This recipe is a bit particular. You really need authentic copper cannele molds and you really do need to coat them with beeswax (which you can find at some health food store and farmers' markets). The wax makes the unmolding easier, and — most important — gives the canneles their distinctive, crunchy crust. Make sure you let the batter rest for the full 12 hours. The best way to eat these is with a cup of strong coffee. You can also serve them as a dessert, cut in half and drizzled with caramel sauce.

Recipe courtesy Pascal Rigo, The American Boulangerie: French Pastries and Breads for the Home Kitchen, Bay/SOMA Publishing, 2003
Show: Sweet Dreams Episode: The French Baker

Photo: Canneles from Bordeaux: Canneles de Bordeaux

TOTAL TIME: 12 hr 50 min
Prep: 30 min
Inactive Prep: 12 hr
Cook: 20 min
 
YIELD: 18 canneles
LEVEL: Difficult

ingredients

  • 3 cups milk
  • 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and scraped
  • 7 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons plus 3/4 cup) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2/3 cup pastry flour
  • 1 extra-large egg yolk
  • 2 extra-large eggs
  • 3 tablespoons dark rum
  • 3 ounces beeswax, finely chopped (about 1/3 cup)
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Directions

In a small saucepan, combine the milk, vanilla bean, and its scrapings. Bring the milk to the scalding point over medium high heat, then remove the pan from the heat and add the 3 tablespoons of butter. Set aside to cool to lukewarm.

In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and flour. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, eggs and rum. Whisk the egg mixture into the sugar and flour mixture, then whisk in the lukewarm milk mixture. Strain into a container; cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours.

To prepare molds for baking, melt the beeswax in a saucepan over low heat. Add the remaining 3/4 cup butter to the melted wax and stir until the butter is melted. Remove the mixture from the heat and, using a narrow pastry brush, carefully coat the inside of 18 (2 by 1-inch) canneles molds. (Dedicate this brush to canneles making because the wax will get into the brush.) If the wax mixture starts to set up or thicken, return it to the heat for a moment until it thins.

Remove the batter from the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before baking it.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Place the waxed canneles molds on a heavy baking sheet with a rim to prevent any wax and butter that melts from the molds from dripping onto the bottom of your oven and creating a fire hazard. Fill the molds 3/4 full with the batter, whisking the batter frequently and well to ensure that the sugar and flour remain evenly distributed.

Bake for about 50 minutes, or until the surface of the canneles is dark brown. Remove from the oven, being very careful not to spill any of the hot wax on yourself. (It is wise to keep children and pets out of the kitchen during this part of the process.) Using tongs or an old towel, pick up each mold and tap it upside down to remove the canneles. If it doesn't come out after a few taps, using a paring knife to loosen it from the sides. And...viola! Serve warm from the oven.

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