The best chocolate log is the only yule log recipe you'll ever need. Easy to make and filled with chocolate ganache it's the perfect festive bake!
Folks, my easy to make best chocolate log recipe is the perfect festive bake for Christmas.
Based on the classic Yule log cake it's basically a rolled chocolate sponge cake filled with delicious chocolate ganache.
Each bite of this is a decadent delight. It's a dessert that captures the holiday spirit and adds a special touch to any Christmas table.
The best part? It's easy to make!
It doesn't require too much effort to make this from scratch.
Even if you're new to baking, this recipe doesn't require extensive skills or fancy tools.
Very soon you could soon be enjoying this beautifully decorated festive Yule log recipe that tastes just as good as it looks!
Traditionally "The Yule Log" or "Buche De Noel" was a specially selected actual log burnt in the fireplace as a Christmas tradition.
This tradition was especially popular in the U.K. and in parts of Europe, symbolizing warmth and light during the darkest part of the year.
A portion of the log was burnt each evening until Twelfth Night (January 6).
Afterward, the remaining piece of the log was often placed under the bed for good luck, believed to protect the household throughout the coming year.
Over time, this tradition inspired the beloved chocolate Yule log cake. A festive dessert that brings the spirit of the fireplace into the holiday feast.
My best chocolate Yule log recipe is based on this old tradition.
It embodies the warmth and coziness that the Yule log once symbolised only now in delicious, chocolatey form!
Well folks you'll be glad to know that we're not going to be playing about with any burning logs here!
No, fortunately we're going to bake a chocolate log based on that ancient tradition in the oven and eat it.
That's one thing that Christmas is all about isn't it? Eating chocolate.
This is my family recipe for Christmas log. One my granny used to make, and then my mum and now me!
So without further ado lets get on with this amazing Yule log style cake!
The calories in this chocolate log are only 198 per suggested portion. I've used no butter and reduced fat double cream.
You could use some kind of sweetener instead of the caster sugar to reduce the calories and fat further if you wanted to.
I haven't experimented with that yet. Besides it's Christmas and the holiday season so we all need a sweet treat every now and then!
You could also top your Christmas yule log with Chocolate icing or more Chocolate ganache.
As we're normally so full after Christmas dinner I just keep the topping simple with some icing sugar dusted over the top!
Nothing tastes better than chocolate log served on Christmas Eve with some delicious mulled wine!
We tend to alternate our Christmas dessert. One year we'll have this and then the next we'll have Christmas pudding with whipped cream.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Low Calorie Cooking Oil Spray
- Plain Flour
- Baking Powder
- Cocoa Powder
- Large Eggs
- Caster Sugar
- Reduced Fat Double Cream (U.S Heavy Cream)
- Dark Chocolate
- Icing Sugar (U.S Powdered Sugar or Confectioners' Sugar)
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions
- Low Calorie Cooking Oil Spray - you could also use a little olive oil or melted butter.
- Plain Flour
- Baking Powder
- Cocoa Powder
- Large Eggs
- Caster Sugar
- Reduced Fat Double Cream (U.S Heavy Cream)
- Dark Chocolate - you could use milk chocolate instead.
- Icing Sugar (U.S Powdered Sugar or Confectioners' Sugar)
How To Make Chocolate Log Cake
Detailed instructions for this chocolate log recipe are in the recipe card below. But here is a quick step by step guide of how to make the best chocolate yule log:
- Start by making the chocolate cake. This is basically a Swiss roll cake and will require you to use a Swiss roll tin (see equipment list) lined with baking parchment / greaseproof paper. The paper is needed to roll the cake up.
- Combine sifted flour, baking powder and cocoa powder. Whisk eggs and sugar together. Then fold these ingredients together.
- Pour mixture into Swiss roll tin, smooth over the top and bake in the oven until a firm sponge is formed. Whilst baking make the filling.
- Once cake has cooled turn over the tin onto another sheet of greaseproof paper on your work surface. Peel off the first sheet of greaseproof paper.
- Score a line near the bottom edge of the sponge and using the second sheet of greaseproof paper roll the cake up. Then unroll it gently.
- Spread half of the filling over the sponge and re-roll it. Do not worry if your sponge cracks. Then pour the rest of the filling over the top and place in the fridge for one hour.
- When ready to serve remove from fridge, dust with the icing sugar and top with holly or berries.
FAQ's
What Is A Chocolate Yule Log?
A Yule log or bûche de Noël is a traditional Christmas cake served as a chocolate cake treat in the UK during the days of christmas.
Can I Make Chocolate Log In Advance?
Yes. You can make the holiday yule log a day ahead and keep it rolled and stored in cling film / plastic wrap in the fridge. Then take it out and allow it to return to room temperature before decorating the top of the cake ready to serve.
How To Make Christmas Chocolate Log Without Cream?
Replace the chocolate ganache filling with a chocolate spread like Nutella.
How Long Can A Log Cake Last?
This cake can be stored covered in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can You Freeze Chocolate Log?
Yes. You can freeze a chocolate log.
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📋 The Best Chocolate Log Recipe
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Equipment
Ingredients
For the Sponge: -
- Low calorie cooking spray
- 75 g white flour plain
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 5 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 3 large eggs
- 80 g caster Sugar
For the Chocolate Ganache Filling: -
- 125 ml reduced fat double cream
- 100 g dark chocolate 80% cocoa broken up
For Decoration: -
- 1 tablespoon icing sugar
Instructions
For the Sponge: -
- Preheat oven to 220C and using the cooking spray lightly grease a 22cm x 32cm swiss roll tin and line with greaseproof paper.
- In a small glass Pyrex bowl sift the flour, baking powder and cocoa powder together.
- In a large mixing bowl whisk the eggs and sugar together until thick and creamy. Use an electric whisk if you have one.
- Using a spatula, gently fold the flour and cocoa mixture into the whisked mixture. Make sure there are no lumps in the mixture.
- Pour the mixture into the swiss roll tin and smooth over the top.
- Bake in the oven for 8 - 10 minutes until a sponge is formed. Make the filling.
- Allow the cake to cool slightly then turn the cake out onto another sheet of greaseproof paper which has been lightly sprinkled evenly with some caster sugar.
- Peel off the backing greaseproof paper and trim the edges of the sponge.
- About 2.5cm from the bottom edge of the sponge score a line using a sharp knife but be careful not to cut all the way through.
- Fold over the scored line and use the paper to gently roll up the sponge. Then unroll it gently.
- Spread half of the filling evenly over the sponge and gently re-roll it. Then pour the rest of the filling over the top. Place in fridge for one hour.
For the Filling: -
- Pour the cream into a saucepan and gently heat the cream until steam is coming off the top. Do not allow the cream to boil.
- Once steam is coming off the top, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the broken-up chocolate until it has melted completely.
- Allow the ganache to cool a little before spreading.
For Decoration: -
- Remove from fridge, dust with the icing sugar, top with holly or berries.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Label
Nutritional information provided below is calculated using paid for online tools and the exact ingredients and quantities used above.
Rate The Recipe
If you’ve made this easy chocolate log recipe, or any other recipes on Neil's Healthy Meals, then please let me know.
I’d love to hear what you think of my recipe in the comments below and please do rate my recipe 5* if you like it! 🙂
Chef Mimi
The last time I made a Swiss roll, it was a disaster, so I swore I’d never make another one!!!There’s just something about me and baking.... but this is beautiful and festive.
Neil
Aw thanks Mimi! If you look closely at the log you'll see all the cracks. It barely stayed together for me! 😆
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
Even though this old tradition of burning a log was cool, I'm definitely glad you've chosen to demonstrate how to make a Christmas log instead! This cake looks and sounds divine. It's awesome that the cake isn't overly sweet, and you allowed the dark chocolate to be the main star. I am just thinking that an addiction of orange zest would be splendid, too!
Neil
Ha ha yeah Ben with everything that's gone on this year the last thing I would want to do is burn down the house. Adding a little orange zest sounds like a great idea!
Jeff the Chef
It's clear to me that this cake was made to be eaten bit by bit until Twelfth Night, and then the remainder shoul be placed under your bed for good luck. In my house, I'm sure we'd have very bad luck, because a cake like this would be eaten in one or two days. Thanks for the festive recipe!
Neil
My cat would eat any remainder cake if it was placed under the bed. He's a greedy thing! But no when I made this it didn't last long in our house either. Ha ha!
David @ Spiced
Interesting! I've never looked into the tradition behind the Yule Log - although I am well aware of the chocolate version that shows up during the holidays. I'm thinking I need to make this and then store it under my bed - you know, just in case I need a midnight snack! 🙂 This recipe sounds delicious, Neil!
Neil
I once read a fascinating book all about the Christmas traditions we still do, and the ones we no longer do so I was aware of this Yule Log tradition. Most of the traditions involve food which is fine with me! Hope you get a chance to make this David! 😀