Yule Log Cake

Our family Yule log cake, 2019

One of the most recognized Yule traditions, by both pagan and non-pagans, is the yule log. While a Yule log will also show up on our Rituals & Traditions post, I have to include it as a recipe as well!

CAKE INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prepare your favorite cake recipe – and yes, you CAN use a mix.
2. Lightly spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray and line with parchment paper, respraying the paper if you wish.
3. Pour the batter out onto the paper and spread until it evenly fills the pan.
4. Bake at 350 for approximately 20 minutes (remember – it’s thinner than a traditional cake), or until cake is firm and springy–be sure you don’t over bake it!
5. Allow cake to cool in the pan placed on a cooling rack for ten minutes, then invert it onto a large cloth towel dusted with powdered sugar.
6. Peel off the parchment paper from the bottom of the cake. dust again lightly with powdered sugar.
7. Roll the cake up inside the cloth towel, starting with one of the short sides.
8. Let the rolled-up cake cool completely on a wire rack.

TO FILL (recipes can be found here)

1. Gently unroll and spread filling on the inside of your roll (leaving about 1 inch from the edge of outside short edge)
2. Then roll it back up in the same direction as it cooled.
3. Place on a serving tray and allow to chill for a few hours before frosting.

TO FROST (recipes can be found here)

1. If using a pourable ganache, move to the cooling rack and pour ganache over your log, cooling between layers if necessary.
2. If using a spreadable frosting, gently cover sides of the cake generously with frosting.

DECORATING IDEAS

1. Frosting the ends of the cake is up to you. Some like that rolled look visible to represent the age lines on a tree.
2. Run a fork or other utensil through the set frosting to resemble bark.
3. Dust with powdered sugar to resemble snow.
4. Use candies to create holly clusters (gummy leaves & cinnamon hots) or mushrooms (marshmallows and chocolate kisses)