Yule Log Recipe : Chocolate and Orange
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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Table of Contents
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 on Roxana’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!
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Chocolate Orange Yule Log
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
Nutrition
Wishing you Happy Holidays! May your home be filled with friends and family. Your heart filled with love and joy.
Welcome!
Nicole Harris is the recipe creator behind WonkyWonderful, sharing fast, budget-friendly meals for busy families. Since 2012 she’s been developing 30-minute dinners, kid-approved favorites, and holiday dishes with flair - all with real ingredients and no fuss. She grew up stretching simple pantry staples into something delicious, and that shows up in every recipe: easy, affordable, and full of flavor. Read more...
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!
Thanks Julie! Happy Holidays to you as well 😀
I’ve been seeing these cake rolls on Pinterest too! This looks great! Love orange with chocolate!
Thanks Chris! Have a great weekend!
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.
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!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Merry Christmas To You Too 😀
gorgeous yule log and i love how u decorated with cotton candy!
Thanks! I had a lot of fun with this cake!
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.
Love your toast …. Mind if I borrow it? lol Thank You and Merry Christmas to you!
lol, Thanks! You can definitely use my toast … Merry Christmas!
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
Sounds Awesome!
This looks amazing- I cant wait to make it for Chistmas in a few days! I even have a cotton candy maker! My question is: how do you make orange cotton candy?? And is it flavored? HOW?? I’ve only ever made white cotton candy that tastes like sugar! Any advice? THANK YOU!!!