Still undecided about your holiday menu? We can help with dessert, at least. We’ve put together a (non-exhaustive) selection of addresses in Miami and the rest of Florida where you can find the traditional Bûche de Noël, or Yule Log, in time for the holidays.
Miami
L’Atelier Monnier
L’Atelier Monnier, with its four locations in and around Miami, has unveiled three Yule Logs in a variety of flavors to brighten up your celebrations. The first combines a dark chocolate mousse with vanilla cream, set on a chocolate pecan dacquoise. The second combines a raspberry-cherry cream with a pistachio dacquoise, enhanced with white chocolate. Finally, the third combines a dark chocolate and roasted hazelnut cream with a praline fondant, all coated in milk chocolate and crowned with chocolate Chantilly cream. These desserts, which serve 8, are priced at $52. For a more personal touch, an individual slice is available for $8.50.
Addresses: 848 Brickell Ave, Miami; 1300 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; 9825 SW 40th St, Miami; 9563 S Dixie Hwy, Pinecrest
Marie Blachère
French bakery chain Marie Blachère, which last year inaugurated its third American store in the heart of Miami’s Midtown, offers five flavors of log: pistachio, tiramisu, black forest, chocolate, and raspberry. They cost $22.95 for one creation or $42 for two, ideal for 4 to 6 people.
Address: 3421 NE 1st Ave, Miami
Miami Beach
Maison Valentine
In South Beach, Maison Valentine titillates the taste buds with three gourmet holiday creations: a hazelnut and praline crisp sponge cake with milk chocolate mousse and hazelnut cream; a pistachio sponge cake with a raspberry heart and pistachio praline, all enrobed in a tropical mousse; and a dark chocolate mousse with a crème brûlée insert on a chocolate sponge cake base. Each creation feeds 8 people and costs $79.99.
Address: 1112 15th St, Miami Beach
South Miami
Cécil Bakery + Café
One look at the windows of Cécile Bakery + Café, nestled on Sunset Drive, and any thoughts of dieting evaporate. The establishment offers four mouth-watering Yule Logs: the “Black Forest,” combining dark chocolate mousse, cherry compote, and chocolate sponge cake; the “Passion Exotique,” combining passion fruit mousse, milk chocolate cream, and chocolate sponge cake; the “Montagne Blanche,” combining mandarin jam, praline mousseline, and milk chocolate mousse on a joconde sponge; and finally, the “3 Chocolats,” true to its name. Each costs $58 and can feed 8 to 10 people.
Address: 5744 Sunset Dr, South Miami
Coral Gabels
Chez Bachour
At Chez Bachour, the eponymous Puerto Rican chef’s temple of creative patisserie, two bûches de Noël share the spotlight this holiday season: one combining vanilla mousse, strawberry jelly, and an almond sponge cake; the other combining chocolate mousse, passion fruit cream, and a chocolate financier base. Each creation, designed for 8 guests, is priced at $80.
Address: 2020 Salzedo St, Coral Gables
Delray Beach
L’Atelier des Pains
After training alongside Frédéric Lalos, Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) in baking, Yves François, a former compagnon du devoir, opened L’Atelier des Pains last year in Delray Beach, between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. His menu features three bûches: the “Deux-Continents,” a blend of lemon cream and Key Limes mousse; the “Rocher,” a marriage of chocolate mousse and hazelnut cream under a rocher glaze with roasted hazelnuts; and the “Exotique,” combining coconut mousse and pineapple jelly on a bed of coconut flakes. Only one size is available, for 8 people, priced at $85.
Address: 1445 N Congress Ave, Delray Beach
Lake Worth
Vincent’s Bistro French Bakery
In Lake Worth, south of West Palm Beach, Vincent Durin and his wife Christine, who run Vincent’s Bistro French Bakery, are also getting into the holiday spirit. Among the treats on display are a chocolate bûche, a raspberry bûche, and a chocolate-flavored roulade, each designed for 8 guests and priced at $69. And, to close the year on a high note, the couple have announced the opening of a second location in Boca Raton next January.
Addresses: 516 Lucerne Ave, Lake Worth; 2831 N Federal Hwy, Boca Raton
Winter Garden
Le Petit Paris
Master pastry chef, chocolatier, and ice cream maker Stephan Martin showcases a range of bûches at his Le Petit Paris establishment: the “Mont Blanc” with milk chocolate mousse and chestnut and caramel insert on a brownie base; the “Feuilletine” with chocolate mousse and crispy praline; and the “Black Forest” with whipped cream, cherries, and chocolate ganache. The French artisan also asked artificial intelligence to suggest a bûche recipe, which he followed to the letter: the “Sunset Grove,” with citrus mousse and an orange jelly insert on a coconut dacquoise. Prices range from $35 to $49, depending on the dessert, and each is meant for 8 to 10 people. You can also pay between $5.50 and $9 for an individual slice.
Address: 1201 Winter Garden Vineland Rd, Winter Garden
Sarasota
Rendez-Vous
On Florida’s west coast, Joël Garcia, who works behind the oven at Rendez-Vous in Sarasota, delights sweet-tooths with his raspberry, chocolate, and praline bûches. Expect to pay between $32.50 and $49.90, depending on the size, for 4 to 10 guests, or opt for an individual slice at $8.50.
Address: 5336 Clark Rd, Sarasota
C’est La Vie
Established in Sarasota for more than a quarter-century, self-taught baker Christophe Coutelle, who runs C’est La Vie with his wife Géraldine, is spoilt for choice, with no fewer than nine different bûche recipes. These include the “Royal” with almond sponge cake and milk chocolate mousse, the “Sunlight” with raspberry and exotic fruit mousse, and the “Délice Poire” with chocolate mousse and caramelized pears. Serving anywhere from 4 to 14 people, these creations are priced between $28 to $98. Individual slices cost $7.
Address: 1553 Main St, Sarasota
This article was originally published in French on French Morning.
