The Ultimate Chocolate Orange Yule Log

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook: Fancy a Christmas Bake Off Challenge?

Ever felt like Mary Berry was judging your every Christmas bake? Honestly, this Festive Yule Log Cake Christmas is your ticket to impressing everyone! It's got that rich chocolate and zesty orange combo that's just pure Christmas magic.

Brief Overview: A Christmas Classic with a Twist

The Yule Log, or Buche de Noel Recipe Chocolate Orange if you're feeling fancy, has been a Christmas tradition for ages.

Originating from the French tradition of burning a log, now it's cake! This recipe is a medium effort, takes around 2 hours, and makes 8-10 servings.

Main Benefits: Christmas Cheer on a Plate

This cake is more than just delicious; it's also a festive spectacle and the rich chocolate is good for your soul, right?.

Perfect for your Festive Christmas Cake Ideas , it’s a guaranteed crowd pleaser, and I tell you, this Chocolate Orange Christmas Dessert is special because of the burst of citrus.

Ingredients: Your Christmas Arsenal

Ready to get your bake on? You'll need flour, cocoa, eggs, sugar, milk, oil, vanilla, boiling water, butter, powdered sugar, orange extract and zest, semi sweet chocolate, and heavy cream.

Plus, grab some decorations like powdered sugar and rosemary. I know what you think, do i have all that? don't worry, let's make a run for it.

Let's get started.

Gear Up: Equip Yourself for Success

You will need: a 9x13 inch baking pan, parchment paper (a must!), an electric mixer (handheld works too), a rubber spatula (your best friend), an offset spatula (for smooth frosting), a saucepan, a heatproof bowl, a serrated knife, and a rolling pin.

That's all, pretty basic to get this Christmas Yule Log Cake Recipe done and delicious.

Preparing the Sponge: Let's Get Baking

First, preheat your oven to 350° F. Grease your pan and line it with parchment. No one likes a cake that sticks.

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures everything is evenly distributed.

Now, let's make the chocolate sponge.

That Orange Buttercream: The Zesty Heart

While the cake cools, we'll get that incredible orange buttercream going. Beat softened butter until fluffy. Slowly add in the powdered sugar until smooth.

Mix in milk, orange extract, and orange zest. That burst of citrus really cuts through the richness of the chocolate.

This Classic Yule Log Recipe will make your day for sure!

That Ganache: The finishing touch

We also need that gorgeous ganache!

Decorating the Cake: Unleash Your Inner Artist

Time to get creative! You can go simple with some powdered sugar or go all out with chocolate shavings, rosemary sprigs, and edible decorations.

Use a fork to create a bark like texture. Honestly, have fun with it! That Yule Log Cake Decorations are really a personal thing.

Final thoughts: A Christmas Triumph

So there you have it your very own Homemade Yule Log Christmas cake. It's a bit of a project, but trust me, the results are so worth it.

Get ready to impress your friends and family with this show stopping dessert! After the Chocolate Frosting For Yule Log you will never buy another log again.

Happy Baking!

Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get Started!

Alright, so you want to bake a Festive Yule Log Cake Christmas , eh? Don't worry; it's easier than it looks! Think of it as a grown-up Swiss roll with a fancy makeover.

The Chocolate Yule Log Recipe will definitely wow everyone. It might even make you feel like you're on the Great British Bake Off! Here's what you will need:

Main Ingredients for This Classic Yule Log Recipe

Let's break down the ingredients. It’s all about making this Chocolate Orange Christmas Dessert taste amazing. I always find that using good quality ingredients makes a massive difference.

• For the Chocolate Sponge:

  • All-purpose flour: 1 cup (125g), sifted makes it light and fluffy
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder: ½ cup (50g), sifted go for a good quality one. It's worth it
  • Baking powder: 1 teaspoon
  • Baking soda: ½ teaspoon
  • Salt: ¼ teaspoon
  • Large eggs: 4 , separated freshness matters, trust me
  • Granulated sugar: ¾ cup (150g), divided
  • Whole milk: ½ cup (120ml)
  • Vegetable oil: ¼ cup (60ml)
  • Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
  • Boiling water: ½ cup (120ml) don't skip this; it makes the sponge super moist

• For the Orange Buttercream Filling:

  • Unsalted butter: 1 cup (2 sticks/226g), softened needs to be properly soft, not melted
  • Powdered sugar: 3 cups (360g), sifted for a smooth frosting
  • Milk or cream: 2 tablespoons
  • Orange extract: 1 teaspoon – this gives you that Buche de Noel Recipe Chocolate Orange flavour
  • Orange zest: from 1 large orange

• For the Chocolate Ganache:

  • Semi sweet chocolate: 8 ounces (225g), finely chopped again, quality is key!
  • Heavy cream: 1 cup (240ml)

Seasoning Notes: The Flavor Boosters

Honestly, the right seasoning is like the secret handshake to flavour town. These are super important for this Easy Yule Log Cake Recipe .

• Orange extract is a must for that zesty kick. If you're feeling adventurous, try adding a tiny pinch of sea salt to the ganache.
• Spice combinations for the sponge can include a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg.
• Flavor Enhancers and Aromatics: Vanilla extract in the sponge, and orange zest in the buttercream.
• If you can't find orange extract, you can use orange juice concentrate.

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple

You don't need every fancy gadget. A Christmas Yule Log Cake Recipe can be done with the basics.

• 9x13 inch baking pan – This is key for the sponge
• Parchment paper To line the pan, makes life so much easier.
• Electric mixer (stand or hand held) For the buttercream and cake batter
• Rubber spatula For folding ingredients
• Offset spatula For spreading the frosting smoothly
• Saucepan For the ganache
• Heatproof bowl For melting the chocolate
• Serrated knife For trimming the cake
• Rolling pin

Alternatives? A regular dinner knife for the offset spatula, and a whisk if you don't have an electric mixer. For the Yule Log Cake Decorations , just use whatever looks festive.

So, grab your ingredients and let's get baking this amazing Homemade Yule Log Christmas cake!

Unleash Your Inner Baker: Mastering the Cooking Method for Our Festive Yule Log Cake Christmas

Alright, let's dive into the nitty gritty of making this Festive Yule Log Cake Christmas . You know, the bit that can make or break your showstopper.

Honestly, the cooking method is key. A proper bake means no soggy bottoms, as the ever wise Mary Berry would say! I've seen so many attempts at a Christmas Yule Log Cake Recipe go wrong.

Let's avoid that, shall we?

Prep Steps: Operation Mise en Place!

First, mise en place , darling. It's French for "everything in its place". Get all your ingredients measured. This is key for our Easy Yule Log Cake Recipe! Soften your butter, sift your cocoa and flour.

Trust me. It'll save you loads of time, and will even impress Mary Berry!

Safety Reminder : Oven gloves! We are dealing with 350° F ( 175° C) ovens and boiling water!

step-by-step: Baking That Perfect Sponge

1. Preheat your oven to 350° F ( 175° C) . Grease and line your 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. Whisk together your flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Dry ingredients first!
3. Beat egg yolks with 1/4 cup of sugar until pale. We want a nice, creamy base.
4. Whisk in milk, oil, and vanilla. Wet ingredients added to the creamy base.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined.
6. Stir in boiling water. The batter will be thin. Don’t panic!
7. Beat egg whites until stiff, glossy peaks form, gradually adding the remaining 1/2 cup sugar.
8. Gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate batter. Be careful not to deflate them!

Bake for 20- 25 minutes . A toothpick should come out clean. That's how we know it's done! Critical temperature is when the internal part of the cake reaches approximately 210° F ( 99° C)

Pro Tips: Bake Like a Boss

• Don’t overbake! Overbaking leads to a dry, crack prone sponge. Set a timer!
• Roll the cake while it's still slightly warm. It's more pliable then!
• Remember you can prepare elements ahead of time. Make the ganache or buttercream a day ahead to save time.

I once tried to rush the cooling process. Disaster! The cake cracked so badly, it looked like the San Andreas Fault. Learn from my mistakes.

So, there you have it. Master the baking, and you're halfway to a stunning Chocolate Yule Log Recipe . Go forth and bake a Festive Christmas Cake Ideas that'll knock everyone's socks off!

Recipe Notes for the Ultimate Festive Yule Log Cake Christmas

Alright, let's talk shop about our Festive Yule Log Cake Christmas creation. Here are some extra tips and tricks to ensure your Christmas Yule Log Cake Recipe is a roaring success.

I've learned these from a few kitchen mishaps and triumphs. Honest to goodness, sometimes things go sideways but that's how we learn.

Serving Suggestions Fit for Santa Himself!

Want to make your Chocolate Orange Christmas Dessert presentation extra special? First, use a rustic wooden platter to serve the cake.

Dust generously with icing sugar to mimic snow. Maybe even add a few sprigs of fresh rosemary. They look like tiny pine branches.

Get it? I always like to serve mine with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A tangy raspberry sauce also cuts through the richness so nicely.

A glass of mulled wine is always a winner with chocolate.

Storage Tips to Keep the Magic Alive

You know how it is with leftovers during Christmas. Honestly, there are never any. But if you have any leftover Chocolate Yule Log Recipe , here's the lowdown.

Pop the Yule Log into an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. For longer storage, freezing is an option.

Wrap it tightly in cling film, then foil. It can last up to a month. To defrost, place it in the fridge overnight.

If it doesn't get eaten before!

Variations to Keep it Fresh

Fancy a twist on the Classic Yule Log Recipe ? For a peppermint version, swap out the orange extract in the buttercream with peppermint extract.

Crush some candy canes on top for that extra festive kick. Looking for a gluten-free option? No worries. Just use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in the sponge.

No one will even notice the difference.

Nutrition Basics - A Little Bit of Christmas Cheer

Okay, so let's be real, this isn't exactly health food. But a little indulgence is good for the soul, right? One slice of this Homemade Yule Log Christmas has about 450-550 calories.

It has around 5-7g of protein, 30-35g of fat, and 50-60g of carbs. Remember, that's just an estimate. The actual values depend on your ingredients and serving sizes.

So, enjoy in moderation and savour every bite.

This Buche de Noel Recipe Chocolate Orange is a labour of love. It's totally worth the effort. It’s all about creating a memory.

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your Yule Log Cake Decorations . Honestly, even if it's not perfect, it will still taste amazing.

Go on, bake something amazing and give Mary Berry a run for her money with your Easy Yule Log Cake Recipe !