How to Make Perfect Petit Fours | Bake it Up A Notch with Erin McDowell

Video Description

PERFECT PETIT FOURS, THREE WAYS: In this episode of Bake It Up a Notch, Erin Jeanne McDowell goes over every detail of how to make gorgeous French petit fours. These dainty snacking cakes are a lot more approachable than they may seem, especially when Erin is here to guide you! "Petit fours were one of the first recipes I dreamt of baking—but they somehow seemed pretty daunting, even once I’d tackled layered and tiered cakes. Eventually, I learned some of the ins and outs of this classic style that has seemingly fallen a bit out of fashion. Once I started, I couldn’t stop—and I’m truly not sure why these cakes aren’t a common baking project anymore. They are as practical as they are adorable for sweet lovers and entertainers alike. The one-to-two bite-size cakes are coated in a poured fondant, a fluid icing that sets firm, so the cakes are easy to handle. Like petit fours, I don’t understand why more people aren’t regularly using this icing—which is fairly simple to make, and doesn’t take as many tricks to master as its equally shiny and sets-firm cousin who gets more play in the pastry world these days—the mirror glaze. This thin, sweet coating keeps moisture locked inside—meaning you can bake a batch of petit fours ahead for a party for an impressive, but totally make-ahead dessert—or enjoy the fruits of your labor for many days to come because they keep so well! They can also be cut into different shapes, decorated with everything from royal icing, to sprinkles, edible flowers, candied nuts or citrus zest. Like so many baking projects, there are so many ways to customize them—and there’s truly nothing daunting about the recipe. The only thing to consider is that, like a layer cake, there are multiple components. Breaking things up makes things go much smoother!" ~Erin Jeanne McDowell CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction 01:40 - Making the Cake 06:10 - Talking Frosting 08:05 - Assembling the Cake 14:09 - Cutting the Petit Fours 19:03 - Making Poured Fondant 24:43 - Mistakes Happen! GET THE RECIPE: Strawberry Rose Petit Fours: https://f52.co/3GOYnAd Double Vanilla Snack Cakes: https://f52.co/3tl14X8 Spice Cake Petit Fours: https://f52.co/485QX7n MORE ABOUT BAKE IT UP A NOTCH: Fearless baker Erin Jeanne McDowell takes a deep dive into the tools, techniques and tips you need to create beautiful and delicious baked goods at home. Her bubbly & effortless approach helps even the most complicated of recipes seem like a total piece of cake! MORE FROM FOOD52: Subscribe here to our YouTube Channel! https://f52.co/2HN7Dp8 GET MORE OF FOOD52 BY CONNECTING BELOW: Website: https://food52.com Our Shop: https://food52.com/shop Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/food52 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Food52 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/food52 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Food52 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@food52 Food52 newsletter: https://f52.co/newsletter RELATED VIDEOS: How to Make Eclairs, Cream Puffs & More: https://youtu.be/xwmcG0jQc3E?si=i0a0e4ym1UV9FOhE WATCH MORE VIDEOS WITH ERIN JEANNE MCDOWELL: How to Make Frostings, Icings, and Glazes: https://youtu.be/10R-83KaHeo?si=M3wlr8AZuxenDK1Y Four of Erin McDowell's Easiest Fruit Desserts!: https://youtu.be/N5lLCirqnhg?si=EfRLr8VNxYPqU0dx