Yule Log Cake

Table of Contents

1. Yule Log Cake Ingredients
2. Substitutions and Additions
3. How to Make Yule Log Cake
4. How to Serve Yule Log Cake
5. Storage
6. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
7. MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
8. JUMP TO RECIPE

Yule log cake is a stunning and delicious dessert that is the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit! A classic French dessert, also known as bûche de noël, this impressive cake is made with a light and fluffy chocolate sponge cake, filled with creamy whipped cream, frosted with rich chocolate ganache, and topped with adorable decorations. This festive holiday cake is well worth the time and effort! 

Looking for more show-stopping holiday desserts to impress your guests? You’ll want to make Christmas Cheesecake, Christmas Lasagna Dessert, and Christmas Vanilla Roll Cake. 

Yule Log Cake Ingredients

You will need:

Meringue Mushrooms

• 2 large egg whites, room temperature
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon cocoa powder
• ⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar

Cake

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• powdered sugar, for dusting

Ermine Frosting Filling

• ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• ½ cup whole milk
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Ganache Frosting

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 ounces high-quality semi-sweet baking bar, broken into pieces (the Ghirardelli brand is what I used)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon instant espresso powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Garnish

• Candied Fresh Cranberries & Rosemary
• ½ cup water
• 1½ cups granulated sugar, divided
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 6 sprigs fresh rosemary
• powdered sugar for dusting

PRO TIP: This recipe has a few components, so it is best to split this into a two-day preparation as some of the elements of the recipe need 8 (or more) hours before they are ready to use. I like to prepare all the elements the day before I plan to decorate and serve the cake. Please read through the directions thoroughly before preparing this yule log cake. It is worth the time and effort!

Substitutions and Additions

CHOCOLATE: I used a high-quality chocolate baking bar for the ganache. I do not suggest using chocolate chips because they have added stabilizers that can sometimes affect how they melt and the end product. 

ESPRESSO POWDER: The instant espresso powder in the ganache frosting can be omitted if desired, but I highly suggest keeping it as it does not make your frosting taste like coffee. It just elevates and enhances the chocolate flavor. It is well worth it. 

How to Make Yule Log Cake

PRO TIP: We would suggest following the recipe in order of making each element. We wrote the recipe to be as time efficient as possible. This yule log cake has many steps, but each step is simple, so please read through each section before starting to get familiar with the recipe and not get overwhelmed.

Meringue Mushrooms 

PRO TIP: We do not suggest making your meringue mushrooms more than the day before you plan on serving your yule log. Do not assemble them with the ganache until you are ready to decorate your cake.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 200°F. Line a large baking tray with a piece of parchment paper.

STEP TWO: In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the egg whites (be careful not to get any yolk in the bowl) and beat on low speed with a whisk attachment for 2 minutes. Once the egg whites start to get frothy, turn the speed up to medium and slowly add the granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and cream of tartar. Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl every couple of minutes.

STEP THREE: You will whisk the egg white mixture for a total of 9 to 10 minutes or until the meringue is glossy and has fairly stiff peaks. Transfer the meringue mixture to a large piping bag fitted with a large simple round piping tip. I used a Wilton 2A tip. Pipe ½-inch to 1-inch sized caps and stems onto the parchment-lined baking tray.

PRO TIP: You can wet the tip of your finger and gently smooth the top of the mushroom caps if they have a little point to them. You want to keep the points on the stems.

STEP FOUR: Bake for 1½ hours. Once the meringue mushroom pieces are baked, you need to set them on the counter to cool, undisturbed, and continue to dry out for a minimum of 8 hours, but overnight is perfect. DO NOT refrigerate.

PRO TIP: Your meringue mushrooms will start to get soft if they are put into the refrigerator or if the room temperature is too warm or moist, so it is best to store them in a cool, dry place until you are ready to use them.

Candied Cranberries & Rosemary

PRO TIP: You can make the candied cranberries and rosemary sprigs a couple of days ahead, and keep them in the refrigerator to save time.

STEP ONE: In a medium bowl, add the fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs.

STEP TWO: In a small saucepan on medium heat, add the water and ½ cup granulated sugar. Bring to a simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, just enough to dissolve the sugar. Turn off the heat and add the warm sugar syrup to the bowl of fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs. Make sure to push the cranberries and rosemary down into the sugar syrup. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of 8 hours, but overnight is best.

STEP THREE: Once the cranberries and rosemary have soaked in the sugar syrup, place a colander over another large bowl or in the sink, and pour the cranberries and rosemary into the colander to allow all the excess liquid to drain off of them.

STEP FOUR: Add the remaining 1 cup sugar into a shallow dish and toss the cranberries and rosemary around in the granulated sugar. Place them onto a clean plate once they are coated in the granulated sugar. You can place the plate of sugar-coated cranberries and rosemary sprigs into the refrigerator, uncovered, to help set the candied garnish until you are ready to use it to decorate your yule log.

Chocolate Ganache Frosting

STEP ONE: In a medium bowl, place the broken pieces of semi-sweet chocolate bar and heavy cream. Heat on high in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir and heat for another 30 seconds if needed to warm the heavy cream. Allow the chocolate to sit for 2 to 3 minutes.

STEP TWO: Add the vanilla extract, instant espresso powder, and salt to the warm chocolate. Stir to completely incorporate the heavy cream, and until the melted semi-sweet chocolate is smooth and silky.

STEP THREE: Loosely cover with a piece of plastic wrap and allow to cool completely, on the counter, for a minimum of 8 hours but up to overnight is good too.

PRO TIP: Your ganache can stay on the counter at room temperature overnight as long as your home temperature is not too hot. If needed, you can put your ganache into the refrigerator, but you will need to remove it from the fridge and allow it to come back to room temperature before moving forward with the recipe and decorating.

Cake

STEP ONE: Once your meringue mushrooms have baked, you will turn the oven temperature up to 350°F. Line a 15x10x1 jelly roll pan with parchment paper and lightly spray the parchment paper only with nonstick spray. Set aside.

STEP TWO: Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.

STEP THREE: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, add the eggs, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed for 5 to 7 minutes or until the eggs become pale and frothy.

STEP FOUR: Add the flour mixture and beat on medium for another minute or just until the batter is fully incorporated. This will be a very light and bubbly batter which is exactly what you want for a sponge cake.

STEP FIVE: Pour the batter into the prepared jelly roll pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

STEP SIX: Once the cake has cooked, generously sprinkle it with powdered sugar and run a sharp knife around the edges of the cake to make sure it does not stick. Cover the cake with a piece of parchment paper or a very clean tea towel that is larger than the cake, and then place a large cooling rack or cutting board on top.

STEP SEVEN: Very carefully invert the jelly roll pan (be very careful because the pan will be hot) onto the cutting board. Remove the jelly roll pan and carefully peel away the parchment paper.

STEP EIGHT: Generously sprinkle the cake again with powdered sugar. Starting from one of the short ends, fold the parchment paper or tea towel that is longer than the cake onto the cake and start rolling the cake into a log. Don’t roll the cake too tight. Be careful and go slow so as not to crack the cake as you roll. Place the rolled-up cake onto a cooling rack to allow the cake to cool and any moisture not to get trapped on the bottom of the cake. While your cake is cooling, you can make the ermine filling.

Ermine Frosting Filling

PRO TIP: You can make the cake and ermine filling 2 to 3 days ahead of time. 

STEP ONE: In a small saucepan on medium heat, add the whole milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and all-purpose flour. Whisk together and bring the mixture to a low boil for 2 to 3 minutes, whisking often until the mixture resembles a pudding-like consistency. Remove from the heat and pour the cooked milk mixture into a small dish. Cover with plastic wrap, being sure to push the plastic down onto the mixture to prevent a skin from forming, and place into the refrigerator for up to 2 hours to cool completely.

STEP TWO: In a large mixing bowl, add the softened unsalted butter and beat with a handheld mixer on medium speed for 1 minute until fluffy. Add the cooled milk mixture 1 tablespoon at a time, making sure to incorporate it completely before adding the next tablespoon, until all the cooked and cooled milk mixture has been incorporated. Increase the speed to high and beat for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the filling is light and fluffy.

Assembly

STEP ONE: Once your cake has cooled, carefully unroll it and spread the ermine filling into an even layer. Gently roll the cake back up into a log.

STEP TWO: Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and place it into the refrigerator to chill and firm up. The cake can chill for a minimum of 8 hours, but overnight works great as well. This allows all the elements to have adequate time to chill, set, and get ready for decorating your yule log cake.

PRO TIP: You will want to keep the assembled cake roll tightly wrapped in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator, until ready to decorate and serve.

STEP THREE: The next day, when you are ready to assemble your yule log, gather all your ingredients onto the counter. You will want to have your serving platter out to place the yule log on to decorate it directly on the serving platter.

STEP FOUR: Unwrap your yule log and carefully slice off a 1½ to 2-inch end piece at a slight angle if you want your yule log to have a little piece of a side branch. If you want to keep it simple, you can just place your cake roll onto the serving plate. Set aside.

STEP FIVE: To assemble your mushrooms, carefully remove a mushroom cap and turn it over. On the underside of the mushroom cap, using the point of a chopstick or something similar, make a little hole that the point of the stem will fit into by twisting the point of the stick into the bottom. Handle the mushrooms very gently.

STEP SIX: Take a little bit of the firm chocolate ganache and spread it onto the bottom of the mushroom cap, then place a stem into the ganache to hold the two pieces together. Place the assembled mushrooms onto a plate. Repeat until you have assembled enough mushrooms to use for decorating your yule log. Once you have made all your mushrooms, you can then whip your chocolate ganache to make the frosting.

STEP SEVEN: Once you have whipped your chocolate ganache frosting, you will spread some onto the angled side of the piece you cut off of your cake roll to adhere it to the side of your yule log.

STEP EIGHT: Frost the remaining cake with a small offset spatula. Try to be mindful to frost the cake in long strokes to resemble the bark of a tree. You do not need to try to frost the bottom/underside of your cake as it is delicate and may break apart your yule log. That is why you are frosting and decorating directly on your serving platter.

STEP NINE: Place your candied rosemary sprigs around the bottom and sides of your yule log, then place the candied cranberries on top.

STEP TEN: Place your meringue mushrooms onto the yule log and on the platter. You can use a small amount of leftover ganache frosting to adhere the mushroom to the platter to prevent them from moving or falling over.

STEP ELEVEN: Dust your yule log and serving platter with a light dusting of powdered sugar to make it look like snowfall.

How to Serve Yule Log Cake

This holiday season, wow your guests with this Christmas yule log cake. Serve a slice of this delightful cake roll with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a mug of hot chocolate or homemade eggnog to drink.  

Storage

ON THE COUNTER: You should wait until you are ready to display and serve your yule log cake before decorating it. Once decorated, your yule log can sit out, at a comfortable room temperature, for up to 6 hours. 

IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze the chocolate roll cake before topping it with the ganache and decorations for 3 months. Wrap the cake roll in plastic, then wrap it tightly in aluminum foil. Allow the cake to thaw before decorating.

Yule log cake is a rich and decadent dessert with its chocolate roll cake and rich ganache. This traditional Christmas cake is decorated to resemble a log, complete with meringue mushrooms and festive candied fresh cranberries and rosemary. The completed cake is not only impressive to look at, but it tastes delicious! Get into the Christmas spirit with this beautiful yule log cake.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I freeze this chocolate yule log recipe? 

This cake recipe can be frozen, well-wrapped, for up to three months. Wait to add the ganache and decorations until you are ready to serve it.

What is the best pan to use for a roll cake? 

It’s important to use a 15 × 10-inch jelly roll pan for this cake as you want it to be nice and thin.

Why did my chocolate roll crack? 

Your cake needs to be rolled into the towel as soon as it comes out of the oven. When the cake is rolled while warm, the heat and moisture will help give you a crack-free cake. The cake is much more likely to crack if it is rolled when cooled.

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• Busy Day Chocolate Cake
• Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
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