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This classic Yule Log Cake is a tender chocolate sponge cake filled with mascarpone whipped cream and covered with whipped chocolate ganache! It’s delicious, festive and made completely from scratch!
What is a Yule Log Cake?
Burning a yule log is a Christmas tradition that dates back before Medieval Times. People would carefully select a Christmas tree, bring it into their home and place the largest end into the fire. The whole tree would be burned and keep the fire going for the day.
A Yule Log Cake, also known as a Bûche de Noël, is a cake made based on that old tradition. Fortunately for us, we won’t burn it – we’ll eat it! It’s basically a chocolate sponge cake roll that’s filled with cream and covered with chocolate ganache and made to look like a log.
The version I’m sharing with you today is a wonderfully tender chocolate cake filled with mascarpone whipped cream (to jazz it up a bit and give some awesome flavor) and covered with whipped chocolate ganache. It’s decorated with sugared cranberries and rosemary for a lovely rustic and Christmas-y look!
How to Make a Yule Log Cake
When making a Yule Log Cake, you’ll start by making the chocolate cake. If you’ve ever made a Pumpkin Cake Roll, it’s very similar, but uses a larger pan size. The larger size allows for you to later cut part of the log off and attach it to the side for a little branch. Be sure to line the pan with parchment paper, which will be used later to roll the cake in.
After the cake is baked and while it’s still hot, use the parchment paper to lift it out of the cake pan. Starting at one of the short ends, roll the cake up tightly using the parchment paper that it’s on. Allow the cake to cool completely. This will allow the cake to keep it’s shape and not break when you unroll and fill it.
Make the filling and spread it evenly over the cooled cake, then re-roll it. Wrap the cake in plastic wrap and refrigerate it until cool and firm.
How to Decorate a Yule Log Cake
When it’s take to decorate the cake, you’ll make the chocolate ganache. I whipped the chocolate ganache to make it a little lighter (in color and texture), but you could also use it as is – without whipping it.
So while the cake is chilling, make the chocolate ganache. Allow the ganache to come to room temperature, then whip it on high speed until lightened, fluffy and spreadable.
Cut a piece of the log off (about 3 inches in length) and use a little chocolate ganache to attach it to the side of the cake to make it look like a little branch.
Spread the chocolate ganache over the cake, leaving the ends exposed. Use a fork to create bark lines in the cake, then decorate with sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs.
When you’re done, you’ll have an amazing chocolate Yule Log to serve for Christmas!
Why Is This The Best Chocolate Yule Log Recipe?
There’s so much to love about this particular Yule Log Recipe.
- The cake itself. I tried so many cakes while testing this recipe and most just didn’t get me excited about eating them. They were tough and lacked flavor. This cake uses a little bit different method where only the egg whites are whipped and added at the end. It lends a much more tender cake. It also uses dark cocoa for better flavor.
- The filling. Rather than filling it with a simple whipped cream, I used a mascarpone whipped cream. It doesn’t take over the cake, but lends a flavor that is just a little more special and deserving of being your Christmas centerpiece.
- The whipped chocolate ganache. The whipped texture of the ganache lightens it up and keeps this cake from feeling heavy when eating it. Since the cake and filling are so light, it needs a light frosting. The whipped chocolate ganache has rich flavor, with a light texture. Perfection!
Watch How to Make Yule Log Cake (Bûche de Noël)
Yule Log Cake (Bûche de Noël)
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 42 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
This classic Yule Log Cake is a tender chocolate sponge cake filled with mascarpone whipped cream and covered with whipped chocolate ganache! It’s delicious, festive and made completely from scratch!
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- 3/4 cup (98g) all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup (38g) Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 large eggs, divided
- 3/4 cup (155g) granulated sugar
- 5 tbsp (72g) sour cream
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Mascarpone Whipped Cream Filling
- 1 1/4 cups (300ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 3/4 cups (86g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 8 oz (226g) mascarpone cheese, softened but still chilled*
Whipped Chocolate Ganache
- 8 ounces semi sweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- Sugared cranberries, optional*
- Sugared rosemary, optional*
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 17×12 inch jelly roll sheet pan with parchment paper. Make sure the parchment paper sticks up at least an inch above the sides of the pan on all sides. You’ll use the parchment paper later to lift the cake out of the pan and roll it up.
2. Whisk the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine the egg yolks and sugar and whisk together until well combined.
4. Add the sour cream, melted butter and vanilla extract and whisk together until well combined.
5. Add the dry ingredient mixture (previously set aside) to the wet ingredient mixture and gently whisk together until well combined, then set aside.
6. Add the egg whites to a large mixer bowl and whip on high speed until stiff peaks form.
7. Gently fold about 1/3 of the whipped egg whites into the chocolate mixture to loosen up the batter.
8. Add the remaining egg whites and gently fold together until well combined.
9. Spread the cake batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the top of the cake springs back when toughed and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
10. Remove the cake from the oven and immediately lift the cake out of the pan using the parchment paper and place it on the counter.
11. While the cake is hot, use the parchment paper the cake was baked in and start at the shorter end of the cake to slowly roll the cake up. Set the cake aside to cool completely.
12. When the cake has cooled and is ready to be filled, make the filling. Add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract and salt to a large mixer bowl and whip on high speed until soft peaks form.
13. Add the mascarpone cheese to the whipped cream and whip until stiff peaks form. It will happen fairly quickly.
14. Unroll the cake roll very carefully, looking out for areas where it may be sticking to release it. You can use an offset spatula or something similar and run it along the parchment paper as you unroll the cake to help release it as it unrolls.
15. Spread the filling evenly onto the unrolled cake, then roll it back up without the parchment paper.
16. Wrap it up in plastic wrap with the seam side down and refrigerate for at least an hour to firm up.
17. When you’re read to decorate the cake, make the chocolate ganache. Add the chocolate to a medium sized bowl and set aside. Heat the cream in the microwave just until it begins to boil, then pour it over the chocolate.
18. Allow the chocolate and cream to sit for a few minutes, then whisk until smooth. Let the ganache cool to about room temperature (or cooler, you don’t want it too warm/thin), then transfer to a large mixer bowl.
19. Whip on high speed until lightened in color and thick enough to spread.
20. To decorate the cake, use a large serrated knife to gently cut off a piece of the log about 3 inches in length. Make the cut with a slight diagonal.
21. Use some of the chocolate ganache to attache the small log to the side of the larger log.
22. Spread the remaining chocolate ganache all over the cake, then use a fork to create bark-like lines all over it. Decorate with sugared cranberries and rosemary (instructions in notes), if desired.
23. Refrigerate the cake until ready to serve.
Notes
- To make sugared cranberries and rosemary, add 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, until sugar has melted. Remove from heat and let cool for about 10 minutes. Spread 1/2 cup of sugar evenly on a shallow dish. Dip cranberries and rosemary springs to the sugar water, then roll in the sugar. Let dry before adding to the cake. I also used some of the clumps of sugar left behind to add “snow” to the cake.
- I prefer to use the mascarpone cheese when still cool, but softened, so that it’ll in corporate without chunks, but not get too warm. The warmer mascarpone cheese is, the more likely it is to soften to the point that it won’t firm up well again and can make too soft of a whipped filling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 502
- Sugar: 38.7 g
- Sodium: 462.6 mg
- Fat: 31.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 50.5 g
- Protein: 8.3 g
- Cholesterol: 142.1 mg
Merry christmas! I had to come tell you (like you didn’t know already) that this turns out amazing! I followed your recipe and instructions (started yesterday and it worked out great), and the family is eating this with lots of happy noises as i write. The cake itself is moist, tender and so flavorful against the filling and ganache. Everyone is loving the whipped filling and frosting, and that it’s not the typical overly-sweet buttercream… just this perfectly delicious fluffyness.
I had absolutely no problems making this with your instructions.. my first jelly-roll style cake, and it’s just wonderful. Thank you so much!
I apparently bought just heavy cream rather than heavy WHIPPING cream and the ganache will not whip. Everything is closed – any thought on what I could add to thicken it?
I was intimidated by this recipe because it seemed like a big undertaking, but decided to give it a try and I’m so glad I did. It was absolutely delicious and I was the star of the Christmas Eve dinner. The wow factor was definitely there! And so so yummy! Thank you!
I wasn’t able to get marscapone so I used 2 oz. Cream cheese in the filing, just to help stabilize it. I didn’t want the flavor of the cream cheese to come through much. It ended up being perfect!
I have also used in place of sour cream in the past greek or Icelandic yogurt and I like to use the vanilla ones because I like the vanilla flavor. both sub well for sour cream (though today I used the sour cream). ALSO if you want to kick up the chocolate flavors, add a wee bit of espresso powder to with the cocoa powder. I don’t like coffee, so I don’t use very much – use a bit more if you want it mocha – but it amps up the chocolate!
Made it tonight Christmas Eve . will fill and leave in fridge for tomorrow then ganache. Going to decorate with candied raspberries and mint leaves instead of cranberries since my fam won’t eat those tart things. (but they eat sour patch kids?) I’m thinking the creamy filling will also moisten the cake as it sits a bit. I use a stoneware bar pan lined with parchment for baking and flip it right onto cocoa powdered paper towels right away, don’t let it cool in the pan; it will take forever and get rubbery. waiting for it to cool completely before filling. My mom makes a vanilla jelly roll and I wanted this to offer a choice for the family get together! Has been easy so far, and nicely spongy cake. Didn’t have dark powder but the crumbs tasted good anyway! Thanks for a good recipe and can’t wait to try it!
My daughter made this for the Winter Solstice. The comments we received from guests is that it is deceptively light. And it is. The filling also contrasts nicely with a very rich, chocolatey sponge.
Really enjoyed making this recipe. I tried another one last year with a heave chocolate filling and it was just too much chocolate. (if you can imagine) We ate it for Christmas desert and it sat in the fridge for a few days before I tossed it. This one is a keeper. Cannot wait to share it.
I added some orange emulsion to the filling for a little twist.
Merry Christmas Lindsay.
!I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Can I use a 10×15 inch pan?
The problem would be that you will have too much cake batter.
Just made one yesterday as a test and my second just came out of the oven for Christmas Eve! It’s delicious!
Awesome! I’m so glad!
I’m so excited to make this! Im looking to make these into cupcakes instead. Do you think I need less batter? Or should this be just fine? Thank you for sharing!
If you’re going to make cupcakes, I’d suggest this recipe – https://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/moist-homemade-chocolate-cupcakes/
Do you leave your ends exposed or cover with frosting?
I like the look of them exposed, but either way would be fine.
I’m excited to make this for Christmas this year! I’m planning on making it Christmas Eve to eat on Christmas Day. When I keep it in the fridge overnight (and with the leftovers), should I cover it with plastic wrap/keep it in a closed container, or should I leave it uncovered? Thanks!
A closed container is probably the most ideal. Wrapping it with something might mess up the ganache on the outside a little bit. You could also leave it uncovered if it’s just for a day. The ganache on the outside will keep it pretty well insulated.
Can I Use other substitutes for sour cream or leave it out completely?
Sour cream adds the best amount of moisture, but you could try replacing it with milk.
I used plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and mine worked fine.
I made this tonight and it is such a good recipe! It was easy to follow and the cake is so beautiful and delicious! The only change I made was that I used an espresso mascarpone cheese. This was unintentional, as the store was out of the original kind. But it turned out amazing! I’m looking forward to making this again but with the original mascarpone instead. Thank you for posting this wonderful recipe. It’s a keeper!
I’m so glad to hear that! Glad you enjoyed it!
My ganache seems pretty soupy compared to other times I make ganache, is this because I will whip it up? Or should more chocolate be added?
Yes, it is thinner than typical. Once whipped, it should be fine.
This looks amazing! I would like to make it using gluten free ingredients, (allergy) any reason you can think of as to why it wouldn’t work?
I don’t work with gluten-free ingredients much, so I’m not sure.