Cannelés/canelés - tips and tricks about making them

[PicklingJessica]

Hi everyone,
These french pastries originate from Bordeaux and I am addicted to them. Since I live in Scandinavia you are confined to making them yourself, which I am. I'm looking for tips and tricks.
Copper tin molds or silicone flexipan? With holes or without?
Does the quality rum matter (I use a good quality dark rum but not the priciest).
Should they be with or without bitter almonds?
Any other tips would be appreciated.

TIA

[PicklingJessica]

Thanks everyone :).
Fleur, I've read about the beeswax -- the recipes I have call for nothing but butter. Where can you find beeswax and what makes it different to butter?
I thought it was the sugar and rum caramelizing that gave it the crackly/browny exterior...
I'm putting copper molds on my wish list for christmas, having been a bit too financially aware so far to get them. I've baked them in muffin tins so far, they come out all right but with the rate I make them I figure it's time to take the step and get some of the real molds to make them in :).

[Beignets]

Not Fleur, but you can obtain beeswax at amazon for about $4 -- not sure if they ship internationally. Beeswax is also available in a good art and craft store.

[Fleur]

Canneles de Bordeaux are wonderful, but they must be made in special little copper molds which you coat with melted beeswax.I don't know of any other method that gives you that crackly exterior.

[Claudette]

I agree: NO silicone molds! Things don't brown well in them, canneles in particular (trust me and save yourself $, time, and heartache).

[Kelli2006]

I have a steel canelle mold, but copper is nice if you don't mind the extra cost. I have found the silicone pans are better used for molding chilled and assembled pastries, then as a baking pan,IMVHO.

There is no need to use top shelf rum. I have used common and top shelf rum and there is no difference in taste.

I don't like the taste of bitter almonds and neither do my customers, but feel free to use it if you prefer the taste.
Convection ovens are almost always a good idea when baking.

[sugarbuzz]

Here's a great link to how to make a great cannele. Paula Wolfert contributed to it so it's really informative.

http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?s...

[rabaja]

Definitely agree on the copper molds, stay far away from silicone! Are you using beeswax to line the molds? Lends much to the quality of the canneles.
Also, a convection oven helps tremendously.
I would use a good rum, though I've never heard of the addition of bitter almond...

[laur76]

copper tin molds are a MUST, no silicone, no holes, no need for the best rhum, a little vanilla and certainly no bitter almonds. There you go for the rest there is a little trial and error involved.