Nuvrei Introduces Special Thanksgiving Desserts

We recently took a field trip to Nuvrei Fine Cakes and Pastries for a behind-the-scenes look at our favorite neighborhood bakery . As you may have heard, owner Marius Pop is planning to open Nuvrei Patisserie in the space directly above the bakery at 404 NW 10th Avenue. What's really special about the new venture is Nuvrei's foray back into cakes.

As any Nuvrei addict will recall, Pop made the most insanely delicious cakes, but decided to stop producing them when the pastry side of the business began booming. Although this was a sound business decision for Nuvrei, it devastated his faithful following of cake lovers. Imagine if Nuvrei stopped making its Chocolate Chewey Cookie—share my pain, will ya?

So, I was a wee bit giddy when I found out that we were invited to see the production of Nuvrei's Hazelnut Pumpkin Cake—one of two special treats available for Thanksgiving celebrations. Over the course of a couple of days, we hung out in the Nuvrei kitchen and watched this masterful creation take shape. Obviously, we were a bit enamored of the large mixing bowls of chocolate and hazelnut creams, taunted by the racks of fresh-from-the-oven pastries, and impressed by the staff's agility in two-inch clogs—but, above all, we were amazed at the craftsmanship and process. We learned a lot at Nuvrei, and even picked up a few tips to implement in our baking repertoire. (SCOOP: Nuvrei is developing a special bakery adventure for food lovers. We don't have details or pricing information, but we do know that it is going to be incredibly popular. If you're interested in a little behind-the-scenes action at Nuvrei, send an email to info@nuvrei.com)

But, we were also thinking about you, dear reader, and how we might share this experience with you. So, we documented the creation of the Hazelnut Pumpkin Cake in a series of photographs. Enjoy!

Behind-the-scenes at Nuvrei: Crafting the Hazelnut Pumpkin Cake

Marius and Brian begin to make a pumpkin crème brulee for the Pumpkin Cake by tempering cream into a pumpkin puree.

Marius carefully transfers the sheeted chocolate sacher onto sheet pans for baking.

Nuvrei from Neighborhood Notes on Vimeo.

After making sure that the baked sacher is just the right texture, he lets it cool on a sheet pan rack. 

When the sacher has cooled, Marius trims the layers of pumpkin crème brulee and sacher for the cake. 

Now, Marius gets ready to use cake molds to put the layers of the cake together. 

Here, the pate' a bomb is being folded into the chocolate cream. pate' a bomb is an egg-based mixture used in cakes to lighten the mousse & give it an airier structure.  

Now, Marius assembles the bottom sacher and chocolate mousse layers into the molds. 

Next, he delicately places the fragile pumpkin crème brulee layer in the cake, and spreads a layer of hazelnut mousse on top.  

Marius adds one more layer of chocolate sacher & hazelnut mousse. 

Marius applies the finishing touches of chocolate mirroir glaze. 

The finished Hazelnut Pumpkin Cake, ready to be served. Bon appétit! 

If you're thinking, "Mmmmmmm... I bet that tastes really good!" Rest assured, it does. The delicate pumpkin, chocolate, and hazelnut flavors are absolutely sublime, and the cake is surprisingly light. It's the perfect ending (or beginning) to any Thanksgiving celebration. Since these cakes are produced in small batches, it's important to reserve yours early. And, don't forget that Nuvrei is also offering a special Autumn Tart as well. We didn't get a chance to see it produced—or taste it—but, it sounds heavenly: A pumpkin vanilla custard with pear, in a crispy sweet dough shell. Sigh. Nuvrei just doesn't play nice. Except for this...

Want to win a Hazelnut Pumpkin Cake or Autumn Tart?

Two lucky winners will have a Nuvrei holiday treat at their Thanksgiving celebration. Here are the details:

To win the Hazelnut Pumpkin Cake: Enter your name in a drawing at Nuvrei Fine Cakes and Pastries. Stop by the bakery at 404 NW 10th Avenue and fill out the form. The drawing will be held on Wednesday, November 19. All entrants who fill out the form at the bakery will receive a 10% off coupon. There are no losers in this contest!!! (Contest begins tomorrow November 13, 2008)

To win the Autumn Tart: This one is too easy. Simply Comment below on why you love Nuvrei—the cookies, the cake, the smell of the bakery—whatever makes you feel the love. We'll print the comments, put them in a drawing and select a winner on Wednesday, November 19. Good luck!!! (Contest begins today, November 12, 2008)