What is a Yule Log Cake?

Series Summary

The celebration of Christmas marks one of the most festive holidays of the year. Traditionally a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas has taken on a myriad of secular customs and activities. The exchange of gifts and presents placed under a Christmas tree by Santa Claus is certain to bring fond memories for many children in Western cultures, and tales of Rudolph leading eight reindeer on the roof are classics. Often Christmas activities incorporate winter activities like sipping hot cocoa or using winter foliage as Christmas decorations.

One traditional Christmas recipe that many family prepare each year is the Yule Log. This delicious cake is rolled up with whipped frosting and ganache. Our expert will show you how to make homemade ganache, homemade chocolate mousse and a sponge cake to create this festive holiday cake. You will also learn how to make your own marzipan decorations to adorn this tasty treat. If you are looking for a holiday dessert that is sure to please all of your family and friends, let our expert chef teach you how to create your own Yule Log Cake.

Video Transcript

"Hi. I'm Judy Brosco on behalf of Expert Village and today I'm going to show you how to make this yule log cake. This traditional holiday dessert is also known as the French buche de noel. It consist of a base of sponge cake also known in French as a genoise. That is a cake that's made with a little flour and eggs that are whipped which give the cake an airy and moist base. Perfect for this recipe. The filling is a rich chocolate mousse and it's iced with chocolate ganache. The dessert is then accented with marzipan decorations and is sprinkled with snow before serving. This yule log cake isn't just for the holidays. Any celebration would benefit from a chocolate log dessert."