Classic Chocolate Yule Log Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a traditional yule log made of? ›

There are customs of 'Yule Logs' all over Europe and different kinds of wood are used in different countries. In England, Oak is traditional; in Scotland, it is Birch; while in France, it's Cherry. Also, in France, the log is sprinkled with wine, before it is burnt, so that it smells nice when it is lit.

While both desserts feature a thin layer of cake and fluffy filling rolled into a log, the difference between a yule log and a Swiss roll is how the two are decorated. Swiss rolls are typically kept plain while yule logs are cut, frosted, and adorned to look like, well, logs!

For a classic chocolate roulade, that's where the project would end. But for a Yule log, the cake is given a finishing coat of ganache, then a piece (or two) is cut off to make a "branch" (or two) that can be attached elsewhere, with more ganache to smooth over the seams.

The Yule log was a long oak tree carved with runes (early norse/germanic letters) to wish for the protection of the gods and burned for the duration of the celebration. To let it go out was said to be a dark omen and a sign of bad luck to come. The Vikings would save a piece of the log for next year's fire.

yule log in British English

noun. 1. a large log of wood traditionally used as the foundation of a fire in the hearth at Christmas. 2. a chocolate-coated cylindrical sponge cake, eaten at Christmas.

It is thought that the original Yule log was a large log that burned throughout the entire multiday festival, for as many as 12 days. A popular modern take on the Yule log is a roulade-style cake decorated to look like a log. Another remaining tradition is that of the Yule goat.

In the heart of medieval Europe, the Yule log played a role in both pagan and Christian beliefs. Celts believed that as the sun seemingly stood still during the twelve days at the end of December, keeping the Yule log aflame would persuade the sun to move again, lengthening the days and heralding the return of spring.

The Yule log cake is a rolled Genoise sponge cake, filled with buttercream and decorated with chocolate frosting or ganache, which is combed with a fork to create a bark-like texture.

The origins of the Yule log stretch back to pagan times, but in the beginning instead of a cake it was the real thing, a huge log of wood that burned in family hearths to mark the winter solstice throughout Europe, but particularly in Germany, Switzerland, France and Italy.

Yule log traditions often involve burning candles in the log. If you choose to burn candles in your log, consider using beeswax candles. Beeswax candles have a natural honey scent and are free from harmful chemicals.

What do the French call the yule log? ›

Bûche de Noël. Bûche de Noël is the French name for a Christmas cake shaped like a log. This one is a heavenly flourless chocolate cake rolled with chocolate whipped cream and decorated with confectioners' sugar to resemble snow on a yule log.

A yule log and buche de noel are the same thing, a roll of sponge cake, filled with pastry cream, mousse, or some other tasty stuff. The roll is shaped and decorated to look like a log, including meringue mushrooms and other fancy bits.

The Yule log was originally part of Celtic culture. During the Winter Solstice – the shortest day of the year – the Celts would keep a wooden log burning throughout the night to celebrate the rebirth of the sun. The first rolled, log-shaped cakes appeared in France in the late 19^th century.

Popularly depicted as a birch log, a Yule log may have to be a more energy-dense kind of wood if you want it to burn all day. Especially if you want leftovers for next year. While birch is picturesque, it doesn't compare with many other hardwoods in terms of the heat it gives off and how long it burns.

The burning of a Yule log is a beloved Christmas tradition today, but its origins trace back to ancient pagan celebrations of the winter solstice.

Yule log cake, or bûche de Noël, is a Christmas cake with a ritualistic past. Cleverly shaped and decorated to look like a 3-D log, the cake represents a melding of ancient midwinter traditions: one that celebrated the end of winter, and another honoring the Norse god Thor.

Yule Log Decor and Dessert

Today, a Yule log is still a Christmas tradition in some cultures; a large log is traditionally burned in the fireplace on Christmas Eve. For other cultures, the Yule log is a log-shaped chocolate cake enjoyed as a Christmas dessert.