Yule Log Recipe : Chocolate and Orange

December 20, 2013 By Nicole Harris 15 Comments

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Yule Log. Roll Cake. Bûche de Noël. Whatever you prefer to call it, this traditional Christmas Cake is festive and fun! This Yule Log Recipe is chocolate cake, filled with orange buttercream frosting and topped with chocolate ganache.

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Holiday Cake Recipe

This Yule Log is sure to be a show stopper! It is a unique Christmas Cake, especially with the Cotton Candy Flames.

Check out the giveaway at the bottom of this post for a chance to win your own Cotton Candy Maker!

I love the way roll cakes look but thought that the process of making one would be complicated.

It wasn’t complicated at all. These cakes are made over several steps. But, none of those steps are terribly difficult.

In fact, this is my first attempt at a Yule Log Recipe. I followed the instructions onRoxana’s Home Baking Strawberry Chocolate Roll Cake Recipe. So if you are hesitant to attempt your own Yule Log, I say give it a try!

So the cotton candy flames on the end of the cake make it look more like a rocket. I prefer a kitchen to a campfire. I never claimed to be the outdoorsy type. It’s been awhile since I lit a fire!

Blast Off!

My cake has less of a spiral pattern and more of a horseshoe look. Most folks roll the cake from the short side and I rolled mine from the longer side. But, it’s a cake that is filled with cream, rolled, topped with ganache and stayed in one piece.

That is a win in my book!

This cake was so much fun to make! I plan on making many more {and perfecting my rolling method}. The cotton candy flames really put this festive Christmas cake over the top!

Chocolate Orange Yule Log

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

Cake

1/2 Cup Flour
1/4 Cup Cocoa Powder
1 tsp Baking Powder
4 Eggs
1/3 Cup Sugar

Frosting

1/2 Cup Softened Butter, 1 stick
1½ Cups Powdered Sugar
1 tsp Orange Emulsion Flavoring*

Ganache

1/3 Cup Heavy Cream
1/2 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips

Instructions

Cake

Preheat oven to 400°
Line a 15x11 jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Spray with non-stick and set aside.
Sift together the flour, cocoa and baking powder. Set aside.
Mix the eggs and sugar on high for 3-4 minutes.
Fold in the sifted dry ingredients.
Spread the batter evenly on the prepared jelly roll pan.
Bake for 7-8 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 1-2 minutes.
Sprinkle powdered sugar on a clean kitchen towel that has been spread out flat.
Invert the jelly roll pan onto the towel to release the cake. {Be very careful, I burned my hand during this step!}
Peel off the parchment paper.
Gently roll the cake {from the short side for a more spiraled middle}. Roll the cake and towel together.
Allow cake to cool completely.
Unroll the cake and spread the prepared buttercream frosting in an even layer.
Carefully roll the cake and the frosting together as firm as possible (without breaking the cake).
Refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
Top the rolled cake with chocolate ganache. Create a wavy tree bark pattern with the back of a spoon (or use a fork for a rougher bark effect)
Return cake to the fridge for 30 minutes or until the ganache is firm.
{optional} Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Garnish with fresh fruit, nuts or Cotton Candy Flames!

Frosting

Whip the butter in your mixer for 3-4 minutes.
Add the orange flavoring and the powdered sugar (a half cup at a time).
Whip the heck out of it until smooth and creamy.
*This will be a very thick buttercream. If you prefer a thinner frosting, add a small splash of milk or cream*

Ganache

Heat the heavy cream in a medium pot over medium/low heat.
Once the cream begins steaming, add the chocolate chips.
Remove from heat and whisk constantly until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
Let cool for 1 minute before pouring over the roll cake.

Notes

*I use this Orange Flavoring: LorAnn Oils

Nutrition Information

Yield 10Serving Size 1
Amount Per ServingCalories 304Total Fat 17gSaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 108mgSodium 155mgCarbohydrates 35gFiber 1gSugar 27gProtein 4g

Nutritional information on WonkyWonderful is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.

Wishing you Happy Holidays! May your home be filled with friends and family. Your heart filled with love and joy.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Julie @ This Gal Cooks says
December 20, 2013 at

This reminds me of a Swiss cake roll! I loved those things when I was a kid! I love how you made this look like a burning log by adding the cotton candy flame. Great job, Nicole! Pinned. Have a lovely weekend and a great holiday!
Reply
- Nicole Harris says
  December 20, 2013 at
  See Also
  Julia’s Bûche de Noël Recipe with Improved Directions
  
  Thanks Julie! Happy Holidays to you as well 😀
  Reply
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
December 20, 2013 at

I’ve been seeing these cake rolls on Pinterest too! This looks great! Love orange with chocolate!
Reply
- Nicole Harris says
  December 20, 2013 at
  
  Thanks Chris! Have a great weekend!
  Reply
Judy P says
December 21, 2013 at

I was looking at the cake roll wondering how I could possibly make the “flames”, when I scrolled down and noticed the cotton candy maker. I ordered one for my granddaughter for Christmas and it
still has not arrived (I guessthey are pretty popular as a gift). worry, worry that it won’t get here by Christmas. Anyway, it had not occured to me that I would want one also. After seeing the flavored “flames”, I am thinking I would really like one of my own appliances.
Reply
- Nicole Harris says
  December 21, 2013 at
  
  Oh, I hope your granddaughter’s gift arrives in time! I’m glad you like the cotton candy flames. This cake was so fun to make. Happy Holidays!
  Reply
Auntiepatch says
December 21, 2013 at

Merry Christmas everyone!
Reply
- Nicole Harris says
  December 25, 2013 at
  
  Merry Christmas To You Too 😀
  Reply
cakewhiz says
December 23, 2013 at

gorgeous yule log and i love how u decorated with cotton candy!
Reply
- Nicole Harris says
  December 25, 2013 at
  
  Thanks! I had a lot of fun with this cake!
  Reply
JoeyfromSC says
December 24, 2013 at

It looks so cool & delicious!! I’d love to have this cotton candy maker! thanks for the chance to win it!
Happy Holidays!
Joey J.
Reply
Sharon G says
December 24, 2013 at

Love your toast …. Mind if I borrow it? lol Thank You and Merry Christmas to you!
Reply
- Nicole Harris says
  December 25, 2013 at
  
  lol, Thanks! You can definitely use my toast … Merry Christmas!
  Reply
Sa says
January 2, 2020 at

I kicked mine up a notch by making candies orange slices to garnish, but also used the orange simple syrup that was left over to brush in the cake before rolling it up. It was fantastic. Wish I could post the picture, it was beautiful
Reply
- Nicole Harris says
  January 7, 2020 at
  
  Sounds Awesome!
  Reply