Yule Log

4.67 stars (12 ratings)

This chocolate yule log recipe will make your whole holiday! Chocolate cake spiraled around a fluffy chocolate filling & frosted with whipped ganache.

Prep Time1 10

Cook Time30

Total Time1 40

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American, French

Keyword: buche de noel, buche de noel recipe, yule log, yule log cake, yule log recipe

Servings:

Calories: 549kcal

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Sponge Cake

4 eggs (large)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I prefer natural, not Dutched)
1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup unsalted butter (1/2 stick), melted
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons powdered sugar (approx.)

For the Chocolate Whipped Cream Filling

1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (I prefer natural, not Dutched)
4 ounces cream cheese (1/2 a block)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cup heavy cream

For the Whipped Chocolate Ganache Frosting

6 ounces semisweet chocolate, broken into small pieces
1/2 cup heavy cream

For the Meringue Mushrooms (Optional)

1 egg white (large)
1 pinch cream of tartar
1 pinch kosher salt
2 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted
unsweetened cocoa powder (for garnish)

For the Additional Garnishes

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

To Make the Chocolate Sponge Cake

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F, lightly mist the sides of a 10x15-inch jelly roll pan with non-stick spray, and line it with parchment.
Place the eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl on whip on high speed for a full 5 minutes. (The mixture should be very pale and fluffy, and tripled in volume.)
Fold in the flour, cocoa, and baking powder.
Whisk the sour cream, melted butter, and milk together, then fold the mixture into the batter.
Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, smoothing it out to the corners in an even layer.
Bake for 14 to 20 minutes, or until the cake is fully set and springy in the center but not dried out.
While the cake is still hot, dust it generously with powdered sugar and lay a clean kitchen towel on top.
Starting at one of the short sides of the cake, carefully roll it into a tight log and allow it to cool completely before filling, frosting, and garnishing.

To Make the Chocolate Whipped Cream Filling

Place the powdered sugar, cocoa, cream cheese, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl, and whip together until smooth.
Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl with a silicone spatula, and slowly drizzle the cream in while continuing to whip on medium speed. (Stop frequently to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl, to avoid lumps.)
When all the cream has been added, turn the mixer up to high speed and whip until the filling holds stiff peaks.
When the cake has completely cooled, gently unroll it and spread the filling on in an even layer.
Carefully roll the cake back up into a log, frost with whipped ganache, and garnish.

To Make the Whipped Chocolate Ganache Frosting

Warm the cream in the microwave (or in a small pot on the stove) until just beginning to simmer, then pour it over the chocolate and allow it to stand for 5 minutes.
Whisk the ganache together until smooth, then allow it to cool until firm but still soft.
Whip the ganache on high speed until fluffy (about 3 to 4 minutes).
Use a small spatula to frost the yule log cake with the whipped ganache, dust with powdered sugar, and garnish.

To Make the Meringue Mushrooms (Optional)

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
Place the egg whites in a large, clean mixing bowl, and add the cream of tartar and salt.
Whip the whites on medium speed until foamy and just beginning to turn white.
While continuing to whip, add in the sugar very slowly (about 1/4 teaspoon at a time).
When all the sugar has been added, turn the mixer up to high speed and whip until the meringue is glossy and very stiff.
Transfer the meringue to a clean piping bag fitted with a jumbo round tip, and pipe half the meringue into small dome shapes; half the meringue into tall stems.
Bake the meringues for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until light and crisp.
When the meringues have fully cooled, trim the points away from the tops of the stems with a sharp paring knife.
Dip the bottoms of the caps in melted chocolate and adhere them to the tops of the stems, then dust the tops of the mushrooms with cocoa powder for garnish.

To Garnish the Yule Log Cake

Dust the cake roll with powdered sugar, then garnish with meringue mushrooms, fresh greens, and sugared cranberries.

Notes

Chocolate sponge cake recipe adapted from King Arthur Flour's Chocolate Cream Roll.

This is 1/2 batch of whipped cream frosting, flavored with cocoa powder. For more info on this recipe, click here: Whipped Cream Frosting.

This is 1/2 batch of whipped ganache frosting. For more info on this recipe, click here: Whipped Chocolate Ganache.

For more info on making meringue for the meringue mushrooms, click here: Meringue Cookies.

For instructions on how to make sugared cranberries, click here: Cranberry White Chocolate Cupcakes.

Nutrition