Bûche de Noël, also known as a Yule Log Cake, is a traditional French Christmas dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. It features a light chocolate sponge cake rolled with creamy filling and covered in rich chocolate ganache, designed to look like a festive log. This show-stopping treat brings a touch of old-world holiday magic to your table.
1. Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 4 large eggs, separated
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Ganache Frosting:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter
2. Preparation Time
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Cook time: 12 minutes
- Chill time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour 45 minutes
3. Serving Quantity
- Serves 8–10
4. Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- Make the Cake: Beat egg yolks and sugar together until thick and pale. Add vanilla and cocoa powder; mix until smooth. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites with salt until stiff peaks form, then gently fold them into the batter.
- Bake: Spread the batter evenly in the pan and bake for 10–12 minutes, until springy to the touch.
- Roll the Cake: While warm, turn the cake out onto a clean towel dusted with powdered sugar. Peel off parchment, then roll the cake with the towel from the short end. Cool completely.
- Prepare the Filling: Whip the cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Unroll the cooled cake and spread the filling evenly. Roll it up again without the towel.
- Make the Ganache: Heat the cream until just steaming, then pour it over chopped chocolate and butter. Stir until smooth and glossy.
- Frost and Decorate: Spread ganache over the rolled cake to resemble bark. Use a fork to create “wood grain” texture. Chill for 1 hour before serving.
5. Nutrition (per slice)
- Calories: 340
- Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 5g
6. Tips
- Dust with powdered sugar or cocoa before serving for a snowy effect.
- Add decorative meringue mushrooms or berries for a festive look.
- Make the cake a day ahead — it tastes even better after chilling overnight.
Rich, creamy, and full of holiday charm, Bûche de Noël is the perfect centerpiece dessert for your Christmas feast.
