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Classic Chocolate Yule Log (Bûche de Noël)

A close-up of a chocolate Yule log cake with a swirl of white cream filling, frosted with chocolate.
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Create a stunning chocolate Yule log cake, a festive roulade perfect for your holiday table. This recipe guides you through baking a tender sponge, rolling it without cracks, and decorating it to resemble a charming woodland log.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 large eggs, separated
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • For the Filling:
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • For the Frosting:
  • 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Optional Decorations:
  • Powdered sugar for dusting
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs
  • Fresh cranberries
  • Meringue mushrooms

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 10×15 inch jelly roll pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper and grease the parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks with 3/4 cup of the granulated sugar until pale and thick. Beat in the vegetable oil, warm water, and vanilla extract.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
  5. In a separate clean bowl, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form.
  6. Gently fold about one-third of the egg whites into the chocolate batter to lighten it. Then, carefully fold in the remaining egg whites until no streaks remain.
  7. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and spread it smooth.
  8. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. While the cake bakes, lay a clean kitchen towel on your counter and dust it generously with powdered sugar.
  10. As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, invert it onto the prepared towel. Carefully peel off the parchment paper.
  11. Starting from one of the short ends, tightly roll up the warm cake and towel together. Let it cool completely on a wire rack.
  12. To make the filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, alternating with the milk, until smooth and well combined. Beat in the vanilla extract.
  13. To make the frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the cocoa powder, alternating with the powdered sugar and milk, until smooth and well combined. Beat in the vanilla extract.
  14. Once the cake is completely cool, unroll it carefully. Spread the filling evenly over the cake, leaving a small border.
  15. Roll the cake up again, this time without the towel, starting from the same short end.
  16. Place the rolled cake seam-side down on a serving platter.
  17. Frost the outside of the cake with the chocolate frosting, using a spatula to create bark-like textures. You can use the back of a fork to create lines and swirls.
  18. Decorate your Yule log with powdered sugar for a snowy effect, rosemary sprigs for greenery, cranberries for berries, and meringue mushrooms if desired.
  19. Chill the Yule log for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Ensure your eggs are at room temperature for better volume when whipping the whites.
  • Do not overmix the batter after adding the dry ingredients to keep the cake tender.
  • Rolling the cake while warm is crucial to prevent cracking.
  • For a richer filling, you can add a tablespoon of espresso powder to the filling ingredients.
  • Experiment with different decorations to create your unique woodland scene.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://blissbatter.com/yule-log-recipe-buche-de-noel-instructions/