Buche De Noel Yule Log Recipe from Real Simple (2024)

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I’m excited to share with you a fabulous Christmas dessert recipe: Buche De Noel Yule Log Recipe from Real Simple. If you have always dreamed of putting together a Yule log during the holiday season, I hope you find this tutorial extremely helpful.

Want another Christmas dessert idea? Check out my amazing Eggnog Pie recipe.

Buche De Noel Yule Log Recipe from Real Simple (1)

Buche De Noel Yule Log Recipe from Real Simple

Note: This post was originally written and published in 2013, but it was updated with better pictures in 2024 for your convenience. “This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Cooking Light, Real Simple, and Sunset Magazines, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #SafewayHoliday https://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.”

Buche De Noel is French for “Yule Log.” This dessert will be the perfect addition to your recipe collection this Christmas season. It’s beautiful, but the balance of rich chocolate and creamy whipping cream is perfect.

I was hired to find a recipe to make from the Real Simple December 2013 issue I purchased at Safeway to showcase some of the fabulous recipes available in this magazine. I was able to make this Yule log dessert for a Christmas season fundraiser, and it was a huge hit.

Buche De Noel Yule Log Recipe from Real Simple (2)

“Buche De Noel” – Yule Log Ingredients (Serves 12)

Hands-on time: 60 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 25 minutes

  • Butter, for the pan
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 4 large eggs, separated
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon sour cream
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 3 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped

How to Make thisBuche De Noel Yule Log Recipe from Real Simple

  1. Heat oven to 350. Butter a 9×13 jelly roll pan and line with parchment; butter the parchment. I used a silicone mat.
  2. Whisk together the flour, cocoa, and salt in a small bowl.
  3. Beat the egg yolks, vanilla, and 1/4 cup of the sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high until light yellow, 3-4 minutes.
  4. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites (with clean beaters) on medium-high until foamy, 1-2 minutes. Gradually add 1/2 cup of the remaining sugar and beat until stiff peaks form, 2-3 minutes or more.
  5. Gently fold the egg yolk mixture into the egg whites. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and use an offset spatula to smooth the surface. Bake until the cake springs back lightly when pressed, 8-10 minutes (mine actually took about 12 minutes). Cool.
  6. Whip the heavy cream, sour cream, and the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high until stiff peaks form, 1-2 minutes.
  7. Spread the whipped cream on the cake, leaving a 2-inch border along one of the short ends. Starting at the other short end, roll up the cake toward the uncovered border (letting the parchment fall away as you roll…I actually took off the silicone mat before this moment). Place the cake seam-side down on a serving platter. Drizzle with chocolate ganache over the top (recipe to follow). Let set for 5 minutes. Run the tines of a fork through the ganache to create “bark.” (“Buche de Noel” is French for “Yule log”).
  8. Make the chocolate ganache by bringing 1/3 cup heavy cream to a boil in a small pot.Do not over-cook. Remove from heat, add the chocolate, and let stand for 5 minutes. Whisk to combine. Cool slightly before using.
  9. Optional: For toppings of candied rosemary and candied raspberries, I followed this tutorial. Candied cranberries would be another beautiful addition.

Step-by-Step Visual Instructions for Making a Busche De Noel Yule Log

I love having a visual overview of all the steps of making a dessert.

I went to Safeway to shop to buy ingredients for a dessert I needed to make for a fundraiser at our church. A friend and her family are going on a mission trip to Uganda to work with kids. I started in the magazine aisle to find the magazines I wanted. My kids looked at the books on the shelf while I thumbed through magazines to find something tantalizing to make for the jazz evening.

I checked out the new issues of Real Simple, Cooking Light, and Sunset magazines. I grew up in a family that had magazines. My mom would have several cooking magazines, and she would dog-ear or mark the ones she wanted to try. I’m sure I inherited some of this from her.

Currently, I rip out the recipes I am interested in, then glue them to a piece of paper, put them in a plastic cover, and organize them in a binder. You can look back to see more about my methods.

Cooking Light has been a staple for my mom and me, but I love Real Simple and Sunset too. Although the other magazines I found had great recipes and fun travel information, I discovered this fabulous Buche De Noel recipe from the Real Simple magazine.

When I saw the image and read the recipe, I knew immediately this was what I wanted to make for the fundraiser. Thankfully, Real Simple hired me to share their fabulous recipe.

I cannot emphasize enough how much kids will grow, learn, and create memories with you as you have them help in the kitchen. My kids love this time, and I do too.

Buche De Noel Yule Log Recipe from Real Simple (6)

If you need to know what stiff peaks look like, I added this helpful picture.

As you roll up the cake, it will crack a bit. Be careful and gentle as you roll, but don’t worry. This dessert is covered in chocolate ganache to cover any imperfections.

This is what your cake will look like all rolled up and ready to set on the serving dish.

Beautiful.

Buche De Noel Yule Log Recipe from Real Simple

I’ve made ganache before, but I haven’t used the method of boiling the cream first. This was super easy. Just make sure to not over-boil the cream.

The ganache you can drizzle along the top. You will then spread the ganache to give a smooth look on the top and sides of your yule log.

Using a fork will create a log-like feel.

This “Buche de Noel” is beautiful and will promise to delight your friends and family this Christmas season.

Buche De Noel Yule Log Recipe from Real Simple (14)

Recipe Card for Buche De Noel Yule Log

Buche De Noel Yule Log Recipe from Real Simple (15)

Buche De Noel Yule Log

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Prep Time 1 hour hr

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Cooling Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Baking

Servings 12 servings

Ingredients

  • Butter for the pan
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 4 large eggs separated
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon sour cream
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 3 oz semisweet chocolate chopped

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 350. Butter a 9×13 jelly roll pan and line with parchment; butter the parchment. I used a silicone mat.

  • Whisk together the flour, cocoa, and salt in a small bowl.

  • Beat the egg yolks, vanilla, and 1/4 cup of the sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high until light yellow, 3-4 minutes.

  • In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites (with clean beaters) on medium-high until foamy, 1-2 minutes. Gradually add 1/2 cup of the remaining sugar and beat until stiff peaks form, 2-3 minutes or more.

  • Gently fold the egg yolk mixture into the egg whites. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and use an offset spatula to smooth the surface. Bake until the cake springs back lightly when pressed, 8-10 minutes (mine actually took about 12 minutes). Cool.

  • Whip the heavy cream, sour cream, and the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high until stiff peaks form, 1-2 minutes.

  • Spread the whipped cream on the cake, leaving a 2-inch border along one of the short ends. Starting at the other short end, roll up the cake toward the uncovered border (letting the parchment fall away as you roll…I actually took off the silicone mat before this moment). Place the cake seam-side down on a serving platter. Drizzle with chocolate ganache over the top (recipe to follow). Let set for 5 minutes. Run the tines of a fork through the ganache to create “bark.” (“Buche de Noel” is French for “Yule log”).

  • Make the chocolate ganache by bringing 1/3 cup heavy cream to a boil in a small pot. Do not over-cook. Remove from heat, add the chocolate, and let stand for 5 minutes. Whisk to combine. Cool slightly before using.

  • Optional: For toppings of candied rosemary and candied raspberries, I followed this tutorial. Candied cranberries would be another beautiful addition.

Keyword yule log

Want More Christmas Dessert Ideas?

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Buche De Noel Yule Log Recipe from Real Simple (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a Yule log and a bûche de Noël? ›

The name bûche de Noël originally referred to the Yule log itself, and was transferred to the dessert after the custom had fallen out of popular use. References to it as bûche de Noël or, in English, Yule Log, can be found from at least the Edwardian era (for example, F. Vine, Saleable Shop Goods (1898 and later).

What was the original Yule log? ›

The original yule log was just that — a large, heavy piece of wood that was burned during the festive season. It was lit on Christmas Eve and rekindled each day until Twelfth Night was reached.

Why do the French eat Yule log at Christmas? ›

The log was specially selected for the occasion, originally to mark the winter solstice, and carried in the main room to provide maximum lasting and reassuring warmth. The ceremony was celebrated by gathering friends and family together to enjoy dinner, dancing and singing.

Why did my Yule log crack? ›

Making the cake

You want your cake to be light, airy, and moist so that it's flexible enough to roll easily. If you overbeat the batter or bake the cake too long, it could become dense, gummy, or dry — and thus more likely to crack.

What is the golden buche de Noel? ›

1 Golden Buche de Noel800g. This year's Christmas showstopper: a luxurious take on the classic French patisserie Bûche de Noël, with layers of rich blonde chocolate mousse and silky salted caramel and caramelised biscuit sauce, on a milk chocolate base speckled with crunchy caramelised biscuit.

Why do the French eat bûche de Noël? ›

This traditional Christmas cake originated in France during medieval times to honor the burning of the Yule log, a giant and heavy log that was placed in the hearth and not allowed to ever burn out completely. Families would take little pieces of the remaining log to bring them luck and prosperity in the year ahead.

Why do people eat buche de Noel? ›

Originating in France, this popular log-shaped sponge cake is also known as a Yule Log, and it is steeped in history. It is thought that the Bûche de Noël comes from an ancient Celtic tradition of finding a large tree log and burning it on the shortest day of the year, in celebration of the Winter Solstice.

What is the Yule log for Christians? ›

For Christians, the Yule log took on a symbolic role, representing the stable's warmth where the Infant Christ was born.

What is a norse Yule log? ›

The log itself, typically a large, carefully chosen piece of wood, symbolized the hearth and the life-sustaining fire within the home. In Norse cultures, the Yule log was often part of the larger Yuletide celebrations, and its burning symbolized the return of the sun.

What nationality is a Yule log? ›

Edible Yule Logs are thought to be the invention of the French, where the cake is known as Buche de Noel. Our bakers will have their own versions of the Yule Log. Place your orders now, to avoid disappointment. Check out our list of bakers here.

What religion is the Yule log? ›

The burning of a Yule log is a beloved Christmas tradition today, but its origins trace back to ancient pagan celebrations of the winter solstice. Yule logs can mean different things for different people. For some, yule logs mean warm, crackling fireplaces.

What is another name for the yule log? ›

The term "Yule log" is not the only term used to refer to the custom. It was commonly called a "Yule Clog" in north-east England, and it was also called the "Yule Block" in the Midlands and West Country and "Gule Block" in Lincolnshire. In Cornwall, the term "Stock of the Mock" was found.

Why does a bûche de Noël look like a log? ›

The Decorations

A classic buche de Noel cake is decorated with berries, leaves or pine needles, and mushrooms to make it looks like log layer in the ground in winter.

What is the meaning of bûche de Noël? ›

The Bûche de Noël — or, Christmas Log — is said to date back to around 1870, when a Parisian pastry maker was inspired by the Christmas eve ritual of burning a log in the fire (a tradition that can in turn be traced back to the winter solstice rituals of ancient Celts).

What is a yule log also called? ›

In French, the yule log is referred to as bûche de Noël, which in modern times became the Christmas cake that's now beloved across the globe. The chocolate roulade with cream filling is often decorated in meringue mushrooms or pistachio-nut "moss" and makes for an impressively festive centerpiece at holiday gatherings.

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