Description

The classic Yule log, or Bûche de Noël, is a festive chocolate sponge cake rolled with creamy filling and topped with rich ganache. A stunning holiday dessert that’s as delicious as it is beautiful.

Ingredients

4 large eggs

2/3 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional: 1/4 cup mascarpone or cream cheese

1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup heavy cream (for ganache)

1 tablespoon butter (optional, for shine)

Optional decorations: Powdered sugar, meringue mushrooms, fresh rosemary or cranberries

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
Beat eggs and sugar until thick and pale. Add vanilla extract and mix to combine.
Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold into egg mixture until smooth.
Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until cake springs back when touched.
While baking, dust a clean kitchen towel with powdered sugar. Invert hot cake onto the towel, peel off parchment, and gently roll up with towel inside. Let cool completely.
For the filling, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Fold in mascarpone if using.
Unroll cooled cake and spread filling evenly. Roll it back up (without the towel).
For ganache, heat cream until just simmering. Pour over chopped chocolate and let sit for 1 minute. Stir until smooth. Add butter if desired and let cool slightly.
Spread ganache over rolled cake. Use fork or spatula to create bark texture. Refrigerate until set.
Dust with powdered sugar and decorate with meringue mushrooms or cranberries before serving.

Notes

Roll cake while warm to prevent cracking.

Let ganache cool slightly before spreading to avoid melting the filling.

Decorate just before serving for the freshest look.

Make a day ahead to enhance flavor and texture.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: French

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 280
Sugar: 20g
Sodium: 85mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 75mg