Festive Chocolate Orange Yule Log Christmas Dessert

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
2. Whisk egg yolks and sugar until pale and thick. Sift flour, cocoa powder, and salt together. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg yolk mixture. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture in two additions.
3. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
4. Immediately invert cake onto a clean kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar. Carefully peel off the parchment paper. Starting from one of the short ends, roll the cake up tightly in the towel. Let cool completely.
5. In a large bowl, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, orange liqueur (if using), and orange zest until stiff peaks form.
6. Carefully unroll the cooled cake. Spread the orange cream filling evenly over the surface, leaving a small border at the edges. Reroll the cake tightly.
7. Melt chocolate and butter in a saucepan over low heat or in a double boiler, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in milk and vanilla extract. Let cool slightly until it thickens to a spreadable consistency.
8. Cut off a small piece of the log diagonally (this will be the branch). Frost the entire log with the chocolate bark frosting. Attach the branch piece to the side of the log. Create bark-like texture by dragging a fork through the frosting. Dust with powdered sugar. Decorate with rosemary sprigs, candied cranberries, and/or chocolate shavings as desired.
9. Refrigerate the yule log for at least 30 minutes before serving.