Black Sesame Buckeyes Recipes

Steps:

• Combine the heavy cream, 3/4 cup milk, the black sesame paste and black sesame powder in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is steaming. Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 1/4 cup milk, the egg yolks, granulated sugar, brown sugar and salt in a medium bowl until smooth.
• Ladle half of the hot cream mixture into the egg mixture, whisking, then pour this mixture into the saucepan with the remaining cream mixture, whisking. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and strain through a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl. Let cool, stirring occasionally, then cover and refrigerate until very cold, at least 4 hours.
• Churn in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's directions until the consistency of soft serve. Transfer to a freezer-safe container, cover and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours.

Steps:

• For the almond orange sponge cake: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 13-by-18-inch half-sheet pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper. Grease the parchment paper and set aside.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Beat the egg whites in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment on medium speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Slowly add 1/4 cup granulated sugar while beating. Continue beating until shiny medium stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes. Remove the egg whites to a medium bowl and set aside.
• Add the egg yolks and remaining 3/4 cup granulated sugar to the same bowl of the stand mixer with the same whisk attachment (no need to wash). Add the almond and vanilla extracts as well as the orange zest. Beat on medium speed until pale yellow and doubled in volume, 1 to 2 minutes. Gently fold in the egg whites. Finally, fold in the flour mixture until just incorporated.
• Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Bake until the top is springy, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Use an offset spatula to loosen the edges of the cake. Immediately invert the cake onto a clean dish towel dusted with powdered sugar. Remove the parchment paper. Using the towel, fold the long end of the cake towards the center, continuing to roll the cake into the towel (this will help shape the cake when the buttercream is added). Transfer to a rack, seam-side down, to cool completely.
• For the black sesame buttercream: Put the butter and confectioners' sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on low speed until combined, then add the sesame paste, milk, vanilla and salt and increase the speed to medium. Beat until smooth.
• For the decorations: Combine the coconut with the matcha powder in a medium bowl. Shape the marzipan into mushrooms.
• Assembly: Unroll the cake on a clean work surface and remove the towel. Spread a third of the buttercream on the inner side of the cake, frosting all the way to the edges. Gently roll back into a log. Trim the ends of the roll, then cut a quarter of the log off on a diagonal. Place the larger log on a large serving platter. Attach the smaller log to the side of the cake with some buttercream to resemble a branch on the yule log. Spread the remaining buttercream on the buche de Noel to cover, but leave the cut sides unfrosted to show the swirl. Run an offset spatula or spoon over the buttercream for the appearance of rough tree bark. Sprinkle the matcha coconut around the cake to resemble moss. Place the marzipan mushrooms around the cake, gently pressing them into the frosting. Enjoy!

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment. Beat the peanut butter, butter and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Add the sifted confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat on low until incorporated. Increase to medium-high and beat until fluffy and smooth, about 1 minute. Gently stir in the rice cereal with a rubber spatula. Scoop 2-teaspoon-sized mounds (11 to 12 grams each) and roll into balls. Place on the prepared baking sheet and freeze until very firm but not frozen, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Microwave the chocolate and coconut oil in a medium microwave-safe bowl in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until the mixture is melted and smooth. Let cool slightly for 2 minutes.
• Stick a toothpick into the top of a ball and dip the ball into the melted chocolate. Coat most of the ball in chocolate, leaving a small uncoated circle on top; let excess chocolate drip off. Return the ball to the baking sheet and remove the toothpick. Repeat with the remaining balls. Smooth out the hole left by the toothpick if desired. Refrigerate until the chocolate has set and the peanut butter ball is very firm, at least 1 hour. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.