The Magic Festive French Yule Log Cake Recipe for Cozy Holidays

Crafting a delightful french yule log cake during holiday seasons brings pure culinary magic to your kitchen.

Sweet memories of winter celebrations dance through traditional pastry techniques.

Festive desserts connect generations with delicate chocolate layers and elegant presentations.

Mastering this classic french confection requires patience and precise techniques.

Chefs across france have perfected this spectacular rolled cake over generations.

Decorative elements like chocolate bark and powdered sugar transform simple ingredients into extraordinary experiences.

You’ll love creating this showstopping dessert that impresses everyone at your celebration.

Why the French Yule Log Cake Is a Festive Favorite

• Customize with Creativity: Transform this classic French dessert into a personal masterpiece by experimenting with different fillings like raspberry jam, chocolate ganache, or coffee cream.
• Skill-Building Showstopper: Perfect for bakers looking to elevate their pastry techniques, this recipe teaches essential skills like rolling sponge cake, creating smooth whipped cream, and applying a professional chocolate glaze.
• Celebration-Ready Centerpiece: Impress guests at holiday gatherings, dinner parties, or special occasions with this stunning dessert that looks professionally crafted but can be made right in your home kitchen.
• Family Baking Adventure: Engage kids and adults alike in a fun cooking project that offers hands-on learning and creates delightful memories while producing a delicious treat everyone can enjoy together.

Ingredients for a Dazzling Bûche de Noël

• Eggs: Essential protein-rich base that provides structure and richness to the cake.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a light, airy texture in the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, aromatic notes.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the fundamental structure for the cake's delicate texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep chocolate flavor and dark color to the dessert.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and creates a soft, tender crumb.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the sweetness of the other ingredients.

• Heavy Cream, Powdered Sugar: Creates a light, fluffy whipped cream filling with delicate sweetness.
• Dark Chocolate, Butter: Combines to form a rich, glossy chocolate glaze that mimics tree bark.
• Parchment Paper, Kitchen Towel, Powdered Sugar: Essential tools for preparing and shaping the classic Yule log cake.

How to Build Your Own Yule Log Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Set your oven to 375°F. Cover a jelly roll pan with parchment paper and lightly grease its edges to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

• All-purpose flour
• Cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Salt

Sift together thoroughly to eliminate any lumps.

Step 3: Whip Egg Mixture

• Eggs
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract

Beat vigorously until the mixture becomes thick and pale, approximately 5 minutes.

This process incorporates air for a fluffy texture.

Step 4: Fold Batter Gently

Carefully fold dry ingredients into egg mixture.

Use a gentle motion to maintain the batter’s airiness. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake light.

Step 5: Bake Delicate Sponge

Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake for 12-15 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Watch carefully to prevent overcooking.

Step 6: Prepare Rolling Surface

Dust a clean kitchen towel with powdered sugar.

This prevents the cake from sticking during rolling.

Step 7: Initial Rolling Technique

Immediately after baking, flip cake onto sugared towel.

Remove parchment paper carefully. Roll cake with towel from short end, creating a cylindrical shape.

Allow to cool completely.

Step 8: Create Luxurious Filling

• Heavy cream
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Beat until stiff peaks form, creating a luscious cream filling.

Step 9: Fill And Re-Roll Cake

Unroll cooled cake. Spread whipped cream generously.

Roll cake again, this time without the towel, creating a smooth log shape.

Step 10: Develop Chocolate Glaze

• Dark chocolate
• Butter

Stir until smooth and slightly cooled.

Step 11: Decorate Like A Pro

Transfer cake to serving platter. Pour chocolate glaze over the top.

Use a fork to create textured “bark” effect by dragging gently through glaze.

Step 12: Chill And Serve

Refrigerate cake for 30 minutes, allowing glaze to set.

Slice and serve this stunning Yule log dessert.

Yule Log Pro Tips for Rolled Cake Success

• Choose high-quality dark chocolate for a rich, intense flavor in the glaze that elevates the entire dessert.
• Line the pan carefully with parchment paper to ensure easy cake removal without breaking the delicate sponge.
• Whip cream in a chilled bowl to help it form stiff peaks faster and maintain better structure for the filling.
• Cool the cake completely before adding filling to prevent cream from melting and losing its fluffy texture.
• Create beautiful bark texture by using a fork to drag through the chocolate glaze at different angles, mimicking natural wood grain patterns.

Fun Twists on the Traditional Yule Log Cake

• Chocolate Hazelnut Yule Log: Replace whipped cream filling with rich hazelnut spread, then sprinkle crushed hazelnuts on top for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
• Raspberry White Chocolate Log: Swap dark chocolate glaze with white chocolate ganache, then add fresh raspberry compote inside the cake for a fruity burst.
• Peppermint Mocha Log: Mix crushed peppermint candies into the chocolate glaze, then add coffee extract to the cake batter for a festive winter-inspired version.
• Caramel Pecan Log: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce between cake layers, then top with toasted pecans and a salted caramel glaze for a decadent transformation.

What Goes Perfectly with a Slice of Yule Log

• Pair Creamy Vanilla Mocha: A rich, espresso-based drink that complements the chocolate yule log's deep cocoa notes and creamy filling. The coffee's boldness cuts through the dessert's sweetness.
• Match with Spiced Mulled Wine: A warm, festive beverage with cinnamon and clove undertones that echo the cake's rich, holiday spirit. Its gentle warmth perfectly balances the chocolate's intensity.
• Serve Alongside Amaretto Liqueur: A smooth, almond-flavored spirit that adds a nutty dimension to the dessert. Its sweet, velvety texture enhances the cake's luxurious chocolate glaze.
• Complement with Raspberry Sparkling Cocktail: A light, fruity drink that provides a bright, tangy contrast to the dense chocolate log. The bubbles and berry notes refresh the palate between rich bites.

Store Your French Yule Log Without the Fuss

• Refrigerate: Store the Yule log cake in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for 3-4 days, maintaining its delicious texture and flavor.
• Freeze: Wrap the cake securely in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month without losing its quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheating Slice: Gently warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out the delicate cake texture.
• Room Temperature: Remove the cake from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to allow it to reach a soft, enjoyable consistency. This helps restore the cake's original moisture and taste.

Common Questions About the Holiday Yule Log

• What is a Yule Log Cake?

A traditional French Christmas dessert called Bûche de Noël, shaped like a log to represent a festive winter tradition, featuring a rolled chocolate sponge cake filled with cream and covered in chocolate glaze.

• Is this cake difficult to make?

While it looks impressive, the recipe is moderately easy with simple steps. The key is gentle folding of ingredients and careful cake rolling to prevent cracking.

• Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cake a day in advance. Keep it refrigerated and add the chocolate glaze just before serving to maintain the best texture and appearance.

Festive French Yule Log Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Rich chocolate “Bûche de Noël” swirls with classic French holiday magic, promising delightful layers of silky ganache and delicate sponge. Christmas celebrations become more delectable when you embrace this elegant dessert that whispers festive sophistication.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 5 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups (190 grams) all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup (150 grams) sugar
• 1/3 cup (35 grams) cocoa powder

Cream and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups (300 milliliters) heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Glaze Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (85 grams) dark chocolate, melted
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) unsalted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

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Instructions

1. Calibrate the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper, lightly greasing the edges.
2. Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt through a fine-mesh sieve into a mixing bowl.
3. Whip eggs with sugar and vanilla extract until the mixture transforms into a thick, pale, and voluminous texture, approximately 5 minutes.
4. Delicately incorporate the sifted dry ingredients into the egg mixture, maintaining the batter’s airiness.
5. Transfer the batter evenly across the prepared pan, ensuring a smooth surface. Bake for 12-15 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean when inserted.
6. Simultaneously, prepare a kitchen towel by generously dusting it with powdered sugar.
7. Immediately after baking, invert the cake onto the sugared towel, carefully removing the parchment paper. Gently roll the cake with the towel from the short end, allowing it to cool completely.
8. Craft the filling by whipping heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract in a chilled bowl until stiff peaks emerge.
9. Carefully unroll the cooled cake and lavish the interior with the whipped cream filling. Re-roll the cake, this time without the towel.
10. Create the glaze by melting dark chocolate and butter using a microwave or double boiler, stirring until achieving a silky consistency. Allow to cool slightly.
11. Position the rolled cake on a serving platter and cascade the chocolate glaze over the top. Use a fork to create textured “bark-like” patterns by gently dragging through the glaze.
12. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to solidify the glaze before slicing and presenting the festive dessert.

Notes

• Fold ingredients gently to maintain the cake’s light, airy texture and prevent deflation of the delicate egg mixture.
• Use a chilled bowl and whisk when whipping cream to achieve faster, more stable stiff peaks for the filling.
• Create realistic bark texture by using a fork at different angles while the chocolate glaze is still slightly warm and fluid.
• Adapt the recipe for gluten-free diets by substituting regular flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same soft cake consistency.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg