Vanilla Yule Log Cake Recipe
Are you looking for a special Christmas dessert? If so, this Christmas Yule Log, or Bûche de Noël, may be exactly what you are looking for. This gorgeous vanilla yule log cake recipe impresses friends, family, and anyone who’s lucky enough to get a slice!
Even though it looks complicated and you may think that it is too difficult to make at home, it is really not. I’ll give you step-by-step instructions on how to make homemade yule log cake from beginning to end so that you can impress your friends and family with a homemade French Christmas cake!
What is a Yule Log?
A yule log cake, or bûche de noël (pronounced boosh deh no-el), is a traditional French Christmas dessert. It is typically made of chocolate cake that is rolled up with whipped cream filling and frosting. It can be decorated with icing and chocolate decorations to look like a log.
The dessert is most commonly served in the Christmas season from the end of November to January 6th because it resembles a holiday cake log during winter time. This delicious treat will definitely be a showstopper at your holiday gathering!
How to Make a Yule Log Cake
Making a vanilla roll cake at home can be a little bit intimidating, but it is not as hard as you might think. The most difficult part of the process is the rolling, but with a little patience and some practice, you can make your VERY OWN Bûche de Noël at home!
If you’d like you can garnish the yule log with powdered sugar, fresh cranberries, and some greenery.
Yule Log Cake Decorations
To decorate your Christmas roll, you can personalize it with your favorite toppings and garnishes.
To decorate, you can use:
- Fresh cranberries
- Candied cherries
- Chopped pistachios
- Chopped walnuts
- Powdered sugar
- Cocoa powder
- Fresh mint sprigs
- Mini chocolate chips
Now you know how to make a chocolate ganache covered vanilla yule log cake recipe that is sure to impress your friends and family. If you would like more Christmas recipes like this one be sure to visit these delicious holiday season recipes.
Vanilla Yule Log Cake
Are you looking for a special Christmas dessert? This vanilla yule log cake recipe is exactly what you are looking for to impress your guests.
Ingredients
Sponge Cake Ingredients
- 2 Eggs
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- ¼ cup of Cocoa powder
- ½ cup of Powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
Chocolate Ganache Ingredients
- 2/3 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips or chocolate bar, chopped
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Heavy cream
Instructions
- Put the eggs and confectioners sugar into a mixing bowl.
- Beat the ingredients with an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer for five minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- The mixture should fall like ribbons back into the bowl.
- Add the vanilla and mix the ingredients a few more times around the bowl. Set aside.
- Add the remaining cake ingredients in a separate large bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Add the dry mixture to the egg and sugar mixture, then fold it in gently until just mixed. Do not overmix.
- Gently pour cake batter into a generously greased baking tray or wide pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Take a clean kitchen towel and dust it with powdered sugar or cocoa powder.
- While the cake is still warm, carefully flip it onto the kitchen towel.
- From the smaller side, along with the kitchen towel roll the cake gently into a log and allow it to cool this way.
- Ganache Instructions
- Put the heavy whipping cream into a saucepan.
- Heat on medium heat until it simmers gently.
- Turn off the heat and add the chocolate to the heated cream.
- Stir the mixture, making sure all of the chocolate is covered by the cream.
- Let the chocolate and cream sit for 2 to 3 minutes, then stir gently until the chocolate and cream are well mixed.
- Let the mixture cool to room temperature.
- After the mixture has cooled, place half of the ganache in a bowl.
- Using your mixer and whisk the ganache until it is pale and fluffy.
- Assembly Instructions
- Unwrap and unroll the cake from the kitchen towel.
- Place dollops of the whipped ganache all over the cake and spread it evenly all over the cake.
- Begin slowly, and gently roll the cake back up, starting from the same end as last time.
- Cover the cake with a towel and place it in the refrigerator to set for 2 to 4 hours.
- Remove the cake from the fridge, and place the cake on a serving platter.
- Take the ganache that wasn't whipped and cover the outside of the cake with it. Don’t try to smooth it out. Instead use a knife or fork to make tree bark-like patterns.
- Place the cake back in the fridge so the ganache can set before serving.
