This classic Chocolate Yule Log (also known as Bûche De Noël!) is the classic Christmas dessert everyone will... The post Chocolate Yule Log with White Chocolate Peppermint Filling (Bûche De Noël) appeared first on Bakers Table.

This classic Chocolate Yule Log (also known as Bûche De Noël!) is the classic Christmas dessert everyone will want this holiday season. Imagine the fluffiest and most tender chocolate cake, swirled with a white chocolate peppermint buttercream, and topped with a decadent dark chocolate ganache. The best part? This dessert is ready in under an hour, uses minimal ingredients, and tastes better than anything you could buy at the store. If you want to impress your friends and family this Christmas, you NEED to make this yule log!

The Christmas season is all about tradition and being with the ones you love. Whether you’re baking cookies for Santa, sipping freshly made hot cocoa by the fire, or decorating the tree while a batch of gingerbread cookies are in the oven…we all have things we do that make the holiday season extra special.

And trust me when I tell you, this yule log will become a new tradition for you. It’s SO much easier to make than you might think, tastes AMAZING, and looks like it came right out of a French patisserie (without all the time and effort!).

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get into it!

Wait, What Exactly IS a Yule Log (Bûche De Noël)?

The bûche de noël is the French version of this Christmas cake. Different versions of this same cake are found all over Europe. In more recent years, they have become popular in the United States. In terms of what it is…well, there are many different variations of a yule log. From the classic genoise (pronounced, “jen-wahz”) to a yellow cake that’s filled and rolled into a roulade.

With this dessert, what makes it a yule log all comes down to the shape of the cake rather than the flavors!

This recipe in particular is made with a chocolate sponge, filled with a simple American buttercream flavored with white chocolate and peppermint extract, and frosted with a super-simple two ingredient chocolate ganache.

What is a Chocolate Sponge?

That’s a very good question! It’s actually a fairly simple cake to make. This particular sponge involves beating eggs, egg yolks and sugar until thick and ribbony, as well as folding in the flour, much like a genoise. The difference is that egg whites and sugar are beaten into a soft meringue and folded in to really lighten the cake.

This version is a fatless sponge, which means there is no butter or oil in this recipe.

Reasons You Will Want To Make This Yule Log Again and Again

Texture AND flavor. The cake itself is deliciously soft and moist, while the ganache and buttercream both are silky smooth. Then, there are the flavors. I mean, is there anything more delicious during Christmas than the combination of chocolate and peppermint? Ease. With this recipe and all the right tools (equipment we used is linked below!), this cake is not only easy to make, but putting it together is SO simple. Time. While yule logs are traditionally thought to be difficult and time consuming, this recipe can be done in under an hour! It’s the perfect Christmas project to make by yourself or with friends/family. Decorating. This cake is SO much fun to decorate and really takes minimal effort to look amazing. Plus, when it comes to decorating, there are no specialty tools required!

Ingredients To Make The BEST Yule Log (& Why!)

Full ingredient amounts and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

For The Cake:

All Purpose Flour – A light, airy cake is desirable for a roulade, but you also need one with enough structure to hold its shape without going to pieces. That’s where the all purpose flour comes in. It has the perfect amount of protein to create that structure. Cocoa Powder – Since this is a chocolate sponge, cocoa powder flavors without adding any extra fat. Eggs – The leavening for this cake, the whole eggs and and egg yolks are beaten to a very light and fluffy texture while the egg whites are beaten into a soft meringue that further lightens the batter. Granulated Sugar – Not only used to sweeten, granulated sugar contributes to the texture of this sponge. It helps the eggs (whole, yolks, and whites) to hold air and achieve that light, airy texture that make the cake so good.

For The Filling:

Salted Butter – This filling gets its richness and creaminess from the butter. The salt in the butter enhances the flavor and helps the white chocolate and peppermint really stand out. Powdered Sugar – Not only does powdered sugar sweeten, it is the best choice for making this filling smooth because it melts easily, making it a snap to incorporate. White Chocolate – Lending flavor and richness, white chocolate is one of the major flavor components in this white chocolate peppermint filling. Heavy Cream – With its higher fat content, heavy cream adds richness. It’s also the liquid component in this filling that helps make it fluffier. Peppermint Extract – Have a milder flavor than peppermint oil, peppermint extract is much easier to use.

For The Ganache:

Bittersweet Chocolate – Our go to for most things chocolate, bittersweet chocolate has that wonderful chocolate flavor without being overly sweet. Heavy Cream – The higher fat percentage in heavy cream makes it ideal for ganache.

How To Make This Yule Log (Step-by-Step!)

Step 1: Make the batter

In a small bowl, sift flour and cocoa powder. Set aside.

With an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites until foamy.

Slowly stream in the 3 Tablespoons sugar.

Beat to medium soft peaks. Set aside.

In a clean bowl, beat egg yolks, eggs, and ½ cup sugar to ribbon stage, about 7 minutes.

Fold meringue into egg mixture in 3 stages.

Fold in dry ingredients.

Step 2: Bake & prep

Spread batter evenly in prepared pan, making sure to fill in corners. Tap on counter to remove air bubbles. Bake for 7-9 minutes, or until just done.

As soon as you remove the cake from the oven, dust it heavily with cocoa powder. Immediately turn the cake out onto parchment.

Remove jellyroll pan and peel away parchment.

Beginning with a short end, roll up jelly roll style along with the parchment you turned it out on. Set aside to cool for 15-20 minutes. It should still be a little bit warm. Unroll cake and allow it to cool completely

Step 3: Prepare filling

Beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Beat in melted chocolate, cream, and peppermint extract.

Step 4: Fill and roll cake

Spread frosting on cooled cake. Roll up jelly roll style, without the parchment paper.

Step 5: Make ganache

Heat chocolate and cream in a microwave safe bowl in 15 second increments, stirring after each, until melted and smooth.

Step 6: Decorate

Cut off ? of the cake at a 45 degree angle. Place against cake at desired end with the angled cut side facing the cake.

Spread ganache over entire cake.

Using a small fork, make textured lines resembling tree bark.

Decorate as desired.

FAQ’s and Troubleshooting

Decorating Ideas

Yule logs (or cake rolls!) can definitely be so much fun to decorate! Whether you want to keep it simple or go all out, here are a few fun decorating ideas!

Meringue Mushrooms Vanilla Meringue Cookies Sugared Rosemary Sugared Cranberries Dust with Powdered Sugar Mini Pinecones Holiday Sprinkles Chocolate Shavings

Looking for more classic Christmas desserts? Here are a few you may like:

Be Sure To Check Out Our New Merch!

*Available worldwide and comes in different styles + colors!

When you make this Yule Log, be sure to leave a comment down below! We love hearing from you and answering any questions you might have! Also, be sure to tag us on social media and hashtag it #BakersTable.