Day 7: The Twelve Days of Christmas

 Today we are celebrating the 7th Day….Seven Swans A Swimming of the Twelve Days of Christmas. This is probably my very favorite of the days as I love the swans we are making. And here they are:

Christmas Swan Cream Puffs on a

 Chocolate Pond

                                                                                
                                                                                 

I had more fun making these and coming up with new and creative ideas for them. I had done these for weddings before but for Christmas I really wanted them to be extra fancy and special. Aren't these adorable! And they are to die for, as they taste SO good. Your family, friends and guests will love them and be so impressed!!

In a future post I will do a step by step tutorial but here is the recipe and I do hope you enjoy it as much as I do. They sound difficult to make but really aren't. The trick is to bake the bodies long enough without getting over browned as explained in the recipe.

Christmas Swan Cream Puffs on a  Chocolate Pond

1 cup water

1/2 cup butter cut into pieces

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

4 eggs

2 pkgs (3.4 ounces each) instant pudding mix (either vanilla OR cheesecake flavor…your choice… I personally like the vanilla the best)

2 cups milk

1 cup heavy cream

¼ cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Powdered sugar for dusting swans

10-12 Thin Red ribbons cut about 12-15  inches in length  for neck bows and streamers

Green candy ‘holly’ – two pieces per swan (from a bottle of Christmas Sprinkles)

Red candy ’berries’ (also from a bottle of Christmas Sprinkles)

1 tsp. white corn syrup for ‘glue’ (or icing can be substituted)

1 cup or more Chocolate or hot fudge sauce (warmed to be pourable)  from a bottle or homemade

3 fresh Strawberries with leaves attached, washed and dried

In a saucepan, bring the water, butter and salt to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir vigorously until a smooth ball forms. Remove the sauce pan from the heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until incorporated. Beat until smooth and shiny.

 Cut a ½ hole in the corner of a heavy-duty freezer resealable plastic bag (like ziplock.) Fill bag with about ½ cup of batter. On a greased baking sheet, pipe 10-12 three inch long "S" shapes for the swan necks. Make a small dollop at one end of each S for the head. Bake at 425° for about 5-8 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven to cool. Don’t over bake and get overbrowned.

 For swan bodies, put large spoonfuls of batter onto greased baking sheets. With a spoon spread each out to form an oval about 3 ½ inches long and 2 ½ inches wide. (There should be 10-12  using all the batter). Bake at 425 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Do NOT UNDERBAKE.   NOTE: It is essential to poke a hole the last 5 minutes of baking the puffs so they don't collapse. But don’t over brown either. The tops of the  puffs should be hard to the touch when ready. If they are too soft they will collapse. If necessary at this point turn off oven and let sit in oven for a half hour. Remove from oven and cool on wire racks. NOTE: This can be done a day in advance.

 Meanwhile put pudding mixes into a medium to large bowl. Add the milk and mix well. Set aside to ‘set’ about 5 minutes. Whip the cream adding the sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Carefully fold in the whipped cream into the pudding. Chill.

 Just before serving carefully slice off top third of swan bodies; set tops aside. Remove any soft dough inside. Spoon pudding mixture into bottoms of puffs dividing mixture evenly. Cut reserved tops in half lengthwise to form wings; set wings at an angle in filling. Dust with powdered sugar. Meanwhile tie a ribbon around the neck of each swan underneath the head making a bow with small streamer. With a small dab of white corn syrup or frosting, ‘glue’ the green candy holly leaves and red candy berries on the knot of the red bows. Carefully put a neck in each swans body at the top of the angled wings into the filling. If desired, dust with confectioners' sugar again.

Front view

Side View

                                                            

 Pour the chocolate sauce or warmed hot fudge onto a round or oval platter. Carefully set seven of the Swans in a circle facing out on the outward edge of the chocolate ‘pond.’ Arrange strawberries in center of the ‘pond.’ Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes 10-12 Christmas Swans on a chocolate pond. Expect raves. These are delicious and make a ‘Wow’ presentation.

                                                                                       

Thankyou for joining me.

 to                                                                             

  Nann

                   

                                                                    I am participating in:

                                                                       Inspiration Friday

                                                              http://www.atthepicketfence.com/

                                                                  Feathered Nest Fridays

                                                  http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

                                                                      Show and Tell Friday

                                                             http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

                                                                   Show off your stuff Party

                          http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/2012/01/show-off-your-stuff-party-108.html

                                                                    Rock and Share Party

                                                            http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/

                                                                      Kristens Creations

                                                      http://kristenscreationsonline.blogspot.com/

                                                               Thriving on Thursday

                                                          http://domesblissity.blogspot.com/

                                                                      Newbie Party

                       http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/2012/01/diy-no-sew-burlap-pillow-grain-sacks.html

                                                                      Seasonal Sunday

                              http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/2011/12/seasonal-sundays-81new-years-review.html

                                                                          Pink Saturday

                                                             http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

                                                                    Potpourri Friday

                                                 http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

                                                                     Foodie Friday

                                                    http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/                                                                                  

                                                           Open House Linky Party

                                                  http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

                                                              Wow Us Wednesday

                                                http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

                                                Tabletop Tuesday                                                                

 http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/2011/12/96th-table-top-tuesday.html

                                                     Metamorphosis Monday                                                                        http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/12/upstairs-family-room-for-christmas.html#more