Holiday Treats (UPDATED)

Buches de Noel -- "Yule Logs," rolled-up cakes filled with cream and elaborately decorated -- are a big thing here. Le Bon Marche, one of the best food stores in France, had a nice selection today:


I've even seen "buchettes" -- single-serving versions. Haven't tried one yet but probably will soon.

UPDATED TO ADD:

A couple hours after I wrote this, I did go out -- in the cold rain, all in the service of you, my dear readers -- to get a "buchette." It is a miniature Yule Log in every way (by contrast, the full-size ones are about 10 inches long and 3 in diameter):


Inside this cake, which is only about an inch tall, are three miniature cake layers:


And that green thing on the top, behind the mini-macaroon, is a little plastic model of a two-handled lumberjack saw.

It's an exquisite piece of art, French food at its finest. Yours for just 3.50 euros ($4.30).