How to Make a Croquembouche Cone

Croquembouche cones are generally made of metal and vary in size. They can be very expensive and unless you make lots of croquembouche, are not a great investment.
 

You can easily however make a makeshift cone out of cardboard and baking paper. Here's how...

• You’ll need firm but not stiff cardboard, scissors, sticky tape and baking paper.
• Begin by rolling the cardboard into a cone shape, much like the witches hats you made as a child.
• The size of the cone will be dependent on the size you want to make your croquembouche, just bear in mind the bigger the cone, the more profiteroles you’ll need to cover it.
• You can make it wide or narrow depending on the finished look you’re seeking. To make it wider, roll from the top end.
• Now use the sticky tape to hold it in position.
• Now, we have to cut the base evenly around so the cone will sit flat on the plate you’ll be using to assemble your croquembouche. You will need to trim and adjust the base to get it even and for the cone to sit flat. Keep adjusting till you get it right.
• Now, cut the top off and keep cutting down till you have the height you’re looking for. Keep in mind again, the higher the cone, the more profiteroles you’ll need to cover it. A 12” or 30cm cone that’s about 15cm in diameter will take about 60 profiteroles to cover it.
• Even up the top as you did the bottom.
• Now we need to cover the cone with baking paper to enable the profiteroles to stick to it. Worth the paper over the cone covering it completely and fold it underneath, then use more sticky tape to hold it in position.
• Now use a small piece of baking paper and cover the hole at the top. You’ll need to cut into the corners the square piece of baking paper to enable it to fit the top. We need to create a flat top to hold the top profiterole so it doesn’t fall inside the cone.
• Finally trim up any scraggy pieces of baking paper then stick down any bits to hold it in place.
• There you have your makeshift croquembouche cone.