Ordinarily when we have one of these major construction jobs to do, I map out a game plan about what I can do ahead and how much time I want to allow myself for each component of then dessert. Then I figure out how far in advance I can make each component and how long they will keep and then set to work making the components step by step and storing them away. Then when the weekend comes all I really have to do is assemble all the components into the finished dessert and it hardly seems like I have expended any energy at all. That is exactly what I did this time…. and then a major personal crisis came along and turned this into the week from hell. To put it mildly I was a total and complete mess all week. I seriously thought about just chucking the whole idea of making this dessert. I was barely in the mood to open a can of soup for dinner let alone embark on a project like this. Then I started feeling guilty for not following through on something I had set out to do and then I guilted myself into going ahead with it. I thought maybe that by working on this cake it would take my mind off of what was going on elsewhere. Well, it worked…sort of. I got so into following my game plan that I totally forgot to take any pictures while I was working. At any rate I did manage to snap off a few of the finished dessert and I include those. I didn’t really find any part of this dessert very challenging, just time consuming and alot of pots and pans. I am still a bit out of it so I am not going to go through everything that I did. I took the cake to work and did manage to taste a tiny bit. I thought it was delicioius but I do have several other apple charlotte recipes that are alot less work. It would have to be a pretty special occasion for me to go through all this trouble again. My coworkers all loved it so I guess it was worth the effort. Enjoy!
Next Up: Chocolate Tomato Cake with Mystery Ganache
Monica said:
I hear you.. I bee washing bowls and saucepans and spatulas and pretty much all of my kitchen for the past 2 days! And like you I space the steps out…
I have not tasted it yet – it does look good and its one of those desserts that wow the crow. But, will seriously have to think about making it again – it just whoop my ass.
It does not help that my cold is back and I’m feeling crappy.
I hope your personal stuff has been taken care of 🙂
And the pictures look great!
Vicki said:
Beautiful!!!
Jenn said:
Sorry to hear about your personal crisis – hope all is well now.
Your charlotte is very pretty. The apple rose is perfect!
Mine is setting in the fridge, before I apply the apples. I taste a bit of the custard and it is heavenly.
Lois B said:
Raymond – I’m sorry to hear about the crisis in your life. You’re in my thoughts.
I knew my life was too crazy to take this cake on, but I’m enjoy your beautiful cake almost as much as your coworkers did.
Mr. P said:
You are amazing, Raymond: it looks just like the book!
Hope everything is sorted out now and you’re feeling better. Credit to you for bothering to blog in a time of stress!
Vicki said:
Really beautiful!
faithy said:
Wow..your rose looks professionally done! Soo pretty!
Shandy Hanke said:
Getting the wind taken out of your sails is hard and you found a way to focus in on the project with a preset game plan, I wish I could send you a hug through the monitor. I hope life smooths out for you soon. Your presentation of the apple caramel charlotte is stunning. The etched silver tray adds a whole new level of elegance to this dessert. Happy Baking, Shandy =)
evilcakelady said:
raymond, i’m sorry to hear about your troubles but i’m hoping that things are looking better by now. your cake looks beautiful and hat’s off to you for baking during such trying times.
Hanaa said:
Beautiful cake, Raymond! My hats off to you to bake and blog in a time of crisis. I wasn’t able to, mid last-month, when I lost 2 very close friends. One of these days I’ll find strength to blog about how beautiful their (short) lives and our friendships were. I’m wishing you lots of strength as well as patience and understanding while dealing with your crisis.
-Hanaâ