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.
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)
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.
Photo: Canneles from Bordeaux: Canneles de Bordeaux Recipe
















Review This Recipe
You must be logged in to review this recipe.
or Sign Up to Review
Newest Ratings and Reviews
Read all 9 reviews
By luckyloopsylala
auckland
on May 06, 2013
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
this recipie was AMAZING! and it was MUCH easyer to make than i expected it to be : i strongly reccomend that people should try this DELICIOUS desert!
By ftlarrabee
on September 09, 2012
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
This was absolutely perfect. Easy to follow and turned out delicious! We used mini canneles molds and baked for 35 minutes. Wow!
By Nelam23
San Jose
on May 12, 2012
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
I followed the recipe exactly but I used a silicone mold and the final resut was good but I think that If I were used copper molds the result would be awsome!!!
Read all 9 reviews