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Christmas Yule Log Cake Recipe

Irresistible Christmas Yule Log Cake Recipe for Holiday Magic

Try this Christmas Yule Log Cake recipe, a festive treat perfect for holiday celebrations featuring rich chocolate flavor and fluffy filling.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Cooling Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 17 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: French
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour can substitute with gluten-free flour for a gluten-free option
  • 3 tablespoons Cocoa Powder use Dutch-processed cocoa for a more mellow taste
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder acts as a leavening agent
  • 3 large Eggs create volume and moisture
  • 1 cup Sugar substitute brown sugar for a more caramel-like flavor
  • 1 teaspoon Salt balances sweetness and enhances chocolate flavors
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract pure vanilla is preferred
  • 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil melted butter can be used for richer flavor
For the Filling
  • 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar helps stabilize the whipped cream
  • 1 tablespoon Baileys can substitute with milk or omit for non-alcoholic version
  • 2 tablespoons Cocoa Powder for filling deepening chocolate flavor
  • 1 cup Mascarpone Cheese substitute with cream cheese if needed
  • 1/2 cup Chopped Macadamia Nuts swap for hazelnuts or pecans for variety
For the Ganache & Decoration
  • 1 cup Ganache rich chocolate coating for exterior
  • 1 cup Sugared Cranberries garnish for visual appeal
  • 1 cup Meringue Mushrooms decorative pieces to mimic a forest scene

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Baking Sheet
  • parchment paper
  • Plastic wrap
  • Saucepan
  • electric mixer

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, sift together 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder, and 1 teaspoon of baking powder. In another bowl, whisk together 1 cup of sugar, 3 large eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1/4 cup of vegetable oil until smooth. Combine both mixtures, mixing until just fully combined and no lumps remain.
  2. Line a 15x10 inch baking sheet with parchment paper and pour the batter evenly into the pan, spreading it out smoothly. Bake for 15-17 minutes, until the cake springs back when gently pressed and a toothpick comes out clean. Invert the cake onto a cocoa-dusted kitchen towel, rolling it up carefully while it's still warm. Let it cool for 2-2.5 hours.
  3. In a separate bowl, whip 1 cup of heavy whipping cream with 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder until medium-stiff peaks form. Gently fold in 1 cup of mascarpone cheese until the mixture achieves a smooth, thick consistency.
  4. Once the rolled cake has cooled completely, carefully unroll it on a flat surface, peeling away the towel. Spread the prepared filling evenly over the surface of the cake, ensuring to leave a small margin around the edges. Re-roll the cake tightly, starting from one end, and wrap it in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to set.
  5. Prepare the ganache by heating 1 cup of heavy cream in a small saucepan until it just simmers. Pour it over 8 ounces of chopped chocolate in a bowl, letting it sit for a few minutes before stirring until smooth. Attach a cut piece of the rolled cake to the side with some ganache for a log effect. Coat the entire cake with ganache, then use a fork to create a bark-like texture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 5gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 3gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 500IUCalcium: 80mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Let the cake cool completely before unrolling to prevent tearing. You can prepare the cake a day in advance to enhance flavors.

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