Yule Log Cake (Bûche de Noël)
Yule Log Cake, or Bûche de Noël, is a rolled chocolate sponge cake filled with whipped cream or buttercream and covered in chocolate frosting scored to resemble bark. It is a traditional Christmas centerpiece that looks impressive but follows a manageable step-by-step process. Set aside about 2 hours to bake, fill, roll, and decorate.
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Mixing Bowls
- Electric Mixer
- Spatula
- Clean kitchen towel
- serrated knife
- wire rack
Ingredients
For the Sponge Cake:
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour sifted
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
For the Filling and Frosting:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup butter unsalted, softened
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until thick, pale, and tripled in volume, about 5-7 minutes.
- Gently fold in the sifted flour and cocoa powder until just combined. Be careful not to deflate the mixture.
- Spread the batter evenly onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cake springs back when lightly touched.
- Once baked, immediately loosen the edges and gently roll the cake with the parchment paper. Let it cool completely on a wire rack.
- For the filling, whip the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract to soft peaks. Unroll the cooled cake and spread the whipped cream over it, then roll it back up without the parchment.
- For the frosting, melt the chocolate chips and blend with softened butter. Spread this evenly over the rolled cake and use a fork to create a bark-like texture.
Notes
- For an extra touch, sprinkle powdered sugar over the completed cake to resemble snow.
- Use a clean kitchen towel to help roll the cake more easily.
- Consider adding a pinch of cinnamon to the chocolate frosting for a festive twist.
Nutrition
Calories: 381kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 5gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 135mgSodium: 128mgPotassium: 169mgFiber: 2gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 899IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Rate This Recipe!
