Description
A classic Christmas Yule Log (Bûche de Noël) featuring a soft, moist chocolate sponge cake rolled with a creamy whipped filling and frosted with rich chocolate icing. This festive dessert is decorated to resemble a traditional woodland log, perfect for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
Cake:
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ¾ cup sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Filling:
- 1 cup whipped cream or buttercream
Topping:
- Chocolate frosting (approx. 1 cup)
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Batter: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar and vanilla extract until thick and pale. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture to form a smooth batter.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into a greased jelly roll pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the cake springs back when lightly touched.
- Roll the Cake While Warm: Immediately after removing the cake from the oven, turn it out onto a clean kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar. Carefully peel off the parchment paper, then roll the cake up in the towel to shape it, and allow it to cool completely in this form to prevent cracking.
- Add the Filling: Once cooled, gently unroll the cake and spread the whipped cream or buttercream filling evenly over the surface, taking care not to tear the sponge.
- Roll and Frost the Cake: Re-roll the cake carefully without the towel. Spread chocolate frosting evenly over the outside of the roll to cover it completely.
- Decorate the Yule Log: Use a fork to create bark-like textures on the frosting to mimic a log’s surface. Dust the finished cake lightly with powdered sugar to resemble freshly fallen snow.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the cake for at least an hour to set the frosting and make slicing easier. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use a clean kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar or cocoa powder to prevent sticking when rolling the cake.
- To create a more rustic bark texture, use the back of a fork or a serrated knife against the frosting.
- Refrigerate the cake before slicing to maintain the shape and prevent cracking.
- You can substitute the whipped cream filling with flavored buttercream for variation.
- Ensure the cake is cooled completely before adding filling to avoid melting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-Inspired
