Not to toot my own horn, but I was thoroughly impressed with myself after making this beauty! I had never made a Yule log and this my mini masterpiece. Let's make sure it becomes the centerpiece of your holiday celebrations.
The Yule Log is a timeless tradition that brings joy and enchantment to every holiday table. In this recipe, I'm 'bout to guide you through the art of creating a stunning, log-shaped cake that not only looks spectacular but also tastes amazing. Whether you're an experienced baker or embarking on your first Yule Log adventure like me, I've got you covered with step-by-step instructions and tips.
Holiday Cocoa n' Cream Cheese Yule Log
My first yule log was extremely fun ya'll... happy holidays!
Equipment
- 1 Hand Mixer
- 2-4 Large Mixing Bowls you can use the same bowls for each step (washing them between steps of course), after making the cake or if you want to use new bowls for every step, that's between you and your sink!
- 1 Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 4 tablespoon salted butter melted
- 4 large eggs separated
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese room temperature
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract two if you're sexy
Frosting
- 4 tablespoon butter softened
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
Cake
- Preheat oven to 350℉ and butter a rimmed baking sheet. Line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on all sides. Butter the parchment.
- Separate your 4 eggs - don't throw away the yolk! We're gonna use it.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until frothy. Then add cream of tartar and salt with an electric mixer on medium-high speed. Add ¼ of granulated sugar and beat on high speed until stiff.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine whole milk, all purpose flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, egg yolks, remaining granulated sugar (¼ cup), powdered sugar, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Beat on high speed until thick and creamy. Then beat in melted butter. Fold in contents of egg white mixing bowl until combined.
- Pour contents into baking sheet and make sure cake batter is flattened evenly across the parchment paper. Put in oven for 10-12 minutes.
Filling
- Beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Slowly beat in the heavy whipping cream a little at a time. Add the vanilla and beat for a few more seconds to combine.
- When cake is done in oven, pull out and cool. Once cool, then spread filling across the cake's surface.
- Lifting the parchment paper to avoid breaking the cake and getting your hands too messy with filling, roll the cake into itself like a spiral log. (To watch an example, see my video below)
Frosting
- Whip heavy whipping cream until firm. Add softened butter and whip again. Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Mix one more time.
- Cover surface of cake log in frosting. I like to add lines of my frosting with a fork to make it look like a realistic version of a wooden log, but that's optional!
- Sift powdered sugar across the log to give it that snowy, frosty look.
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