Yule Log Cake Recipe centerpiece for your holiday celebrations

Yule Log Cake Recipe centerpiece for your holiday celebrations

Introduction: The Yule Log Cake Recipe, or Bûche de Noël, is a classic Christmas dessert that originated in France. Symbolizing the traditional Yule log bu

rned in the hearth, this festive cake is made to resemble a log with bark-like texture and adorned with decorative holiday elements.

While it may look intricate, making a Yule log cake at home is a rewarding and delicious endeavor. Follow this recipe to create your own Yule Log Cake Recipe and impress your family and friends with a stunning centerpiece for your holiday celebrations.

Yule Log Cake Recipe Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 4 large eggs, separated
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Filling:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Ganache:

• 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 3/4 cup heavy cream

For Decoration (Optional):

• Confectioners’ sugar
• Meringue mushrooms
• Fresh berries
• Sprigs of rosemary or mint

Yule Log Cake Recipe Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides for easy removal later.
2. Make the Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks with granulated sugar until thick and pale. Stir in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, sift together the cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the egg yolk mixture, mixing until well combined.
3. Whip Egg Whites: In another clean mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the cake batter until no white streaks remain.
4. Bake the Cake: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared jelly roll pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cake springs back when lightly pressed.
5. Prepare Filling: While the cake is baking, make the filling. In a chilled mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to use.
6. Roll the Cake: Once baked, immediately loosen the edges of the cake with a knife and invert it onto a clean kitchen towel dusted with confectioners’ sugar. Carefully peel off the parchment paper. Starting from one short end, roll up the cake and towel together into a tight spiral. Allow the rolled cake to cool completely on a wire rack, seam side down.
7. Make Ganache: In a heatproof bowl, combine the chopped chocolate and heavy cream. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Let the ganache cool slightly until it thickens to a spreadable consistency.
8. Fill and Frost the Cake: Carefully unroll the cooled cake and remove the towel. Spread the whipped cream filling evenly over the surface of the cake, leaving a small border around the edges. Gently roll the cake back up, using the parchment paper to help lift and guide it. Place the rolled cake seam side down on a serving platter.
9. Decorate: Spread the chocolate ganache over the rolled cake, using an offset spatula to create a bark-like texture. Drag the tines of a fork through the ganache to create “wood grain” patterns. Decorate the Yule log with meringue mushrooms, fresh berries, and sprigs of rosemary or mint, if desired.
10. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the Yule log cake for at least 1 hour, or until the ganache is set. Just before serving, dust the cake with confectioners’ sugar to resemble snow. Slice and serve chilled.

Yule Log Cake Recipe Tips:

• To make meringue mushrooms, pipe small mounds of meringue onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at a low temperature until dry and crisp, then attach caps to stems with melted chocolate.
• For added flavor, you can brush the cooled cake with a simple syrup flavored with rum or other liqueur before filling and rolling.
• If you prefer a lighter filling, you can use a flavored whipped cream or buttercream instead of the cream filling.

Conclusion: With its rich chocolate sponge, fluffy whipped cream filling, and decadent chocolate ganache, this Yule Log Cake Recipe is a show-stopping dessert that will impress your guests and add a festive touch to your holiday table. Enjoy the process of creating this traditional Christmas treat and savor every delicious bite as you celebrate the season with family and friends.