Holiday Magic: Whip Up a Festive Chocolate Hazelnut Yule Log Recipe

Winter’s magical evenings call for a decadent chocolate hazelnut yule log that melts hearts faster than snow in sunlight.

Rich, velvety chocolate swirls around delicate hazelnut notes, creating a dessert that whispers elegance.

Generations of bakers have cherished this classic French pastry, perfecting its delicate rolled form and luxurious filling.

Delicate layers of soft sponge cake embrace a smooth, nutty cream that promises pure indulgence.

Each slice tells a story of culinary tradition and festive celebration.

The intricate design mimics a woodland log, transforming your table into a winter wonderland.

Dive into this irresistible dessert that blends comfort, sophistication, and pure deliciousness.

What Goes Into Chocolate Hazelnut Yule Log

• Eggs (Whole): Provide structure and richness, choose fresh farm eggs for best flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates tender cake texture, sift to prevent lumps.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep chocolate essence, use high-quality dark cocoa.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light and airy cake rise, check freshness before using.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity, use pure extract for best results.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes egg mixture, opt for fine-grain sugar.

• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious whipped texture, select high-fat content cream.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes whipped cream, sift to prevent clumping.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle aromatic undertone, choose pure Madagascar variety.

• Unsalted Butter: Provides smooth, rich base, use room temperature butter.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates silky frosting consistency, sift to eliminate lumps.
• Cocoa Powder: Intensifies chocolate flavor, select Dutch-processed for deeper color.
• Milk or Cream: Adjusts frosting spreadability, use whole milk for richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out chocolate flavor, use pure extract.

Tools You’ll Use for Chocolate Hazelnut Yule Log

• Electric mixer: Essential for whipping egg whites, beating egg yolks, and creating smooth, fluffy buttercream.
• Jelly roll pan: Perfect for baking the thin, flexible sponge cake.
• Parchment paper: Crucial for easy cake removal and preventing sticking.
• Kitchen towel: Helps roll the cake smoothly without cracking.
• Mixing bowls: Needed for separating ingredients and mixing different components.
• Sifter: Ensures smooth, lump-free dry ingredients.
• Spatula: Great for folding egg whites and spreading cream evenly.
• Fork: Helps create bark-like texture on the buttercream.
• Serving platter: Provides a beautiful presentation for the finished Yule log.

How to Create a Chocolate Hazelnut Yule Log from Scratch

• Cake Canvas

Whip up a delightful sponge base by beating egg whites into fluffy clouds and mixing them with a golden egg yolk foundation. Gently fold in cocoa-dusted flour for a rich, airy texture that will become the heart of your woodland-inspired dessert.

• Creamy Embrace

Craft a silky white filling that whispers of sweetness, transforming the sponge into a dreamy rolled masterpiece. Whip cream until it stands tall and proud, ready to be spread across the tender cake.

• Woodland Transformation

Carefully unfurl the cooled cake, lavish it with the cloud-like cream, and roll it into a magical cylinder. Let it rest and chill, developing its enchanting form.

• Chocolate Bark Coating

Create a luscious chocolate buttercream that will dress your log in rich, dark elegance. Spread it generously, using a fork to sculpt bark-like textures that tell a story of forest magic.

• Snowy Finale

Dust your woodland creation with a delicate sprinkle of powdered sugar, mimicking a fresh winter morning’s soft blanket of snow. Your Yule Log now stands as a stunning centerpiece of sweet artistry.

Ideas to Improve Your Chocolate Hazelnut Yule Log

• Baking Brilliance: Master the art of rolling the sponge cake while it's still warm to prevent cracking and ensure a perfect spiral.
• Cream Whipping Wisdom: Chill your mixing bowl and whisk beforehand for the fluffiest, most stable whipped cream that holds its shape beautifully.
• Texture Transformation: Create realistic bark texture by using a fork or offset spatula to make gentle, uneven strokes across the chocolate buttercream surface for an authentic log appearance.
• Festive Flair: Experiment with decorative touches like sugared cranberries, rosemary sprigs, or chocolate mushrooms to elevate the traditional Yule log design and add a personal artistic touch.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake and buttercream a day in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator to reduce day-of stress and enhance flavor development.

Ways to Serve Chocolate Hazelnut Yule Log Beautifully

• Festive Family Gathering: Slice this decadent Yule log during holiday celebrations, creating a stunning centerpiece that brings everyone together around the dessert table.
• Elegant Entertaining Plate: Garnish each slice with a sprinkle of crushed hazelnuts, a dusting of cocoa powder, and a small sprig of fresh mint for a sophisticated presentation that wows dinner guests.
• Seasonal Beverage Pairing: Serve alongside a warm mug of rich hot chocolate or a smooth espresso, enhancing the chocolate and hazelnut flavors while creating a cozy winter experience.
• Sweet Gift Idea: Wrap individual slices in festive parchment paper with a ribbon, making perfect edible gifts for neighbors, teachers, or holiday party hosts.

How to Plan Ahead and Store Chocolate Hazelnut Yule Log

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store the chocolate hazelnut Yule log in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover loosely with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent absorbing other food odors.
• Freezing Friendly Option: Wrap the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for maximum 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to preserve texture and flavor quality.
• Slice Separation Technique: Place wax paper between individual cake slices when storing multiple portions. This prevents sticking and maintains the buttercream's beautiful design while keeping each slice pristine.
• Room Temperature Timing: Keep the Yule log at room temperature for no more than 2 hours during serving to ensure food safety and maintain optimal cream and buttercream consistency. Return immediately to refrigeration after enjoying.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes

Calories: 341 kcal

Servings: 9

Elegant Chocolate Hazelnut Yule Log Recipe

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• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Delectable chocolate hazelnut yule log delight brings festive French holiday magic to winter celebrations. Elegant rolled cake layers combine rich chocolate ganache with silky hazelnut cream, promising pure seasonal indulgence you will savor.

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Ingredients

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• 4 large eggs (separated)
• 120 ml (½ cup) granulated sugar
• 40 g (⅓ cup) all-purpose flour
• 25 g (¼ cup) cocoa powder
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 240 ml (1 cup) heavy cream
• 15 g (2 tbsps) powdered sugar
• 113 g (½ cup) unsalted butter (softened)
• 180 g (1 ½ cups) powdered sugar
• 25 g (¼ cup) cocoa powder
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) milk or cream
• fresh cranberries
• edible mushrooms or meringue mushroom kit
• edible glitter or snow
• fresh sprigs of rosemary or evergreen

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Instructions

1. Whip Whites: Vigorously beat egg whites, gradually incorporating sugar until forming glossy, stiff peaks that maintain structural integrity.
2. Yolk Transformation: Blend egg yolks with sugar and vanilla until achieving a pale, silky consistency that promises richness.
3. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift flour, cocoa, rising agent, and salt into a uniform, lightweight powder ensuring cake’s delicate texture.
4. Batter Harmony: Gently fold dry ingredients into yolk mixture, then tenderly incorporate whipped egg whites, preserving maximum airiness.
5. Baking Preparation: Distribute batter evenly across parchment-lined pan, creating a smooth canvas for the upcoming culinary artwork.
6. Thermal Alchemy: Bake in preheated oven at 350°F until cake demonstrates resilience by springing back when lightly touched, roughly 10-12 minutes.
7. Shaping Technique: While warm, carefully roll cake within sugar-dusted towel, allowing it to cool and memorize its elegant curved form.
8. Filling Creation: Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until forming luxurious, pillowy peaks perfect for interior layering.
9. Cake Assembly: Unroll cooled cake, generously spread cream filling, then re-roll with precision, wrapping securely in plastic for chilling.
10. Buttercream Brilliance: Whip butter with cocoa, sugar, and milk until achieving impossibly smooth, decadent chocolate frosting.
11. Final Decoration: Retrieve chilled roll, position on serving platter, and coat comprehensively with chocolate buttercream.
12. Woodland Transformation: Sculpt bark-like textures using fork or spatula, converting cake into rustic, nature-inspired masterpiece.
13. Winter Finish: Dust entire creation with confectioners’ sugar, evoking a serene, snow-kissed landscape.

Notes

• Master Egg White Technique: Whip egg whites slowly and steadily, adding sugar gradually to create stable, glossy peaks that won’t deflate during mixing.
• Prevent Cake Cracking: Roll the warm cake immediately after baking while flexible, using a sugar-dusted towel to help prevent splitting and maintain smooth texture.
• Chill for Perfect Filling: Refrigerate the rolled cake before frosting to ensure clean, crisp edges and easier buttercream application.
• Texture Transformation Tip: Use a fork or offset spatula to create realistic bark-like patterns, turning the chocolate buttercream into a textured winter woodland design.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 341
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 75 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg