Yule Log

Bringing the Yule Log Tradition to Your Christmas Table

• Origin: France
• Ideal for: Festive Christmas desserts
• Average cooking time: 1-2 hours
• Main ingredients: Sponge cake, chocolate buttercream, ganache

No one can refuse a sweet chocolate piece of cake after a winter night dinner, especially when they are decorated so adorable with layers of cream. As a result, you should consider putting Yule Log on your top 10 best traditional dishes for Christmas served on your table.  The Yule Log is an age-old tradition that has spanned hundreds of years during the Christmas and New Year period. Known as the bûche de Noël in France, this delicious and festive cake has become a staple for holiday feasting.

A favorite amongst family and friends, the Yule Log is a roll cake that is made with sponge cake and frosting, resembling the wood from which the tradition originated. This famous holiday cake has taken on many forms over the years, ranging from traditional chocolate or mocha to the modern raspberry or pumpkin flavors.

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without the Yule Log. So, if you want to brighten up your Christmas table in true traditional style, this indulgent wonder will bring Christmas cheer to all who gather!

Bûche de Noël: Origins of the Yule Log Cake

The Yule Log tradition dates back to the pre-Christian era of Europe, when burning of an entire log of wood represented the sun's rebirth. Later, during the Renaissance in the 1500s, baking a cake to represent a log became more prevalent, and quickly grew into a festive custom for the Christmas season.

The tradition of the Yule Log officially became known as the Bûche de Noël, which translates to Christmas Log. Today, this cake is served most commonly on Christmas Eve and New Years Day, and is decorated to give the appearance of a real log. The Bûche de Noël is one of the best-loved traditions in any French home, and is slowly making a global resurgence from its Renaissance roots.

The Delights of the Yule Log Cake

The Yule Log cake, or Bûche de Noël, is a scrumptious holiday cake that brings a festive feel to any Christmas table. The traditional sweet-roll made of soft and fluffy sponge, and filled with cream or jam, makes it a delightful dessert for everyone involved.

The Christmas Log cake also feature delicious chocolate and mocha flavorings that add a layer of indulgence, and they are often decorated with chocolate shavings or festive holly and berries, as a reference to the chimney log that Santa Claus brings down.

For years, families have enjoyed making their own unique Yule Log cake, and each yearly iteration improving from the last. Its traditional flavorings pale in comparison to some of the more modern variations that have graced the festive table, from raspberry and pumpkin, to matcha and coffee, and all of these make for a delicious finish to your Christmas feast.