Buche de Noel, or Yule Log Cake, is a traditional French dessert served during the Christmas season. Shaped to resemble a wooden log, this festive treat combines the elegance of French pastry with the warmth and charm of holiday traditions. Made with a light sponge cake rolled around a creamy filling and covered in chocolate frosting or ganache, the Buche de Noel is both a visual and culinary celebration.
The tradition of the Buche de Noel dates back to medieval French families who would burn an actual Yule log in their hearth to celebrate the winter solstice and bring good luck for the new year. As fireplaces became smaller and customs evolved, the burning log was replaced with a symbolic dessert, and the Buche de Noel was born.
Typically, the cake is made by baking a thin layer of sponge cake, spreading it with buttercream or whipped cream, and carefully rolling it into a log shape. It’s then frosted with rich chocolate icing and textured with a fork to resemble tree bark. Decorative touches often include meringue mushrooms, powdered sugar snow, berries, or holly leaves to complete the woodland look.
This French classic is more than just a dessert—it’s a centerpiece. The Buche de Noel captures the spirit of the holiday season with its rustic appearance and decadent flavors. Vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut, and coffee are popular flavor options, and some versions feature liqueur-infused fillings for an extra indulgent twist.
Whether you bake one at home or pick it up from a French patisserie, this cake is a beautiful way to end a holiday meal. It’s a delicious reminder of old-world French traditions and the magic of gathering with loved ones to celebrate the season with sweetness and joy.
Ingredients
- 5 large eggs separated into yolks and whites
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar divided
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour sifted
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups heavy cream for filling and frosting
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar for filling and frosting
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder for frosting
- Chocolate shavings or decorations for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks with 1/4 cup of sugar until pale and thick. Mix in vanilla.
- In another bowl, beat the egg whites with the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar and salt until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the sifted flour and cocoa powder into the yolk mixture, then carefully fold in the egg whites.
- Spread the batter evenly on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cake springs back to the touch.
- While the cake is baking, whisk together the heavy cream, cocoa powder and powdered sugar until it holds stiff peaks for the filling and frosting.
- When baked, remove the cake from the oven and roll it up with parchment paper, allowing it to cool in a rolled shape.
- Once cool, unroll the cake and spread a layer of cream filling over the surface. Roll the cake again without the parchment paper.
- Cover the rolled cake with the remaining whipped cream, mixed with cocoa powder for a chocolate frosting appearance.
- Decorate with chocolate shavings and other holiday garnishes as desired. Chill in the refrigerator before serving.
Nutrition
I don’t know about this. Looks complicated and I ain’t sure my cake will roll up like that.
So much work! Last time I tried a rolled cake it was a complete disaster. Hope this works out for me!
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it for Christmas dinner! 🎄
I don’t know… it seems kinda complicated for a Christmas dinner. 🤔
So excited for you! It really is a crowd-pleaser. 🎉
I tried this for Christmas and it was a hit! Super delicious and not as hard as I thought. Thanks!
My cake turned out flat and sad. Guess I’m not cut out for fancy desserts.
Don’t be too hard on yourself! Baking can be tricky. Maybe try whipping the egg whites longer next time? That can really help! 🍰
I didn’t find this very easy to make. The rolling part was a mess for me. 🙁
I totally get it! The rolling is tricky. Maybe try using a clean kitchen towel instead of parchment to help with the rolling? It could be easier. Hang in there! 🙂
Honestly, this looks way too complicated. Why not just buy a cake? Ain’t nobody got time for all this fuss! 🙄
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it for Christmas! 🎄
yummy!!! will make again, but maybe I’ll use whipped cream from can. lol!
Wow, this recipe looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it for Christmas.
What even is a bûche de Noël? Sounds fancy but it’s just a rolled cake, right? 🤔
I don’t trust recipes with so many eggs. Seems sketchy to me!
Too many eggs? I think that’s what gives it richness! 😂
I made this last year and it was a hit! So delicious and beautiful!
Looks too complicated for me! I might just stick to brownies, lol. But glad y’all liked it!
I’m so glad to hear that! I made it last year too, and it was gone in minutes! It’s just so festive and tasty. 🥳
Buche de Noel taste like heaven!! It was a hit at the family dinner. Worth every step!
So glad to hear it turned out well! It’s such a festive dessert. 🎉
I tried making this but it was too complicated. The cake just fell apart! 😩
Cake came out flat and sad… maybe I did something wrong? But I guess that’s a lesson learned. 2 stars.
Flat? Mine turned out perfect. You might’ve mixed too hard or somethin’. Next time, follow the steps closely!
Don’t worry! Cakes can be tricky. Maybe it was the egg whites not whipped enough? It’s all a learning process! Keep it up!
This recipe turned out amazing! Everyone loved it, and it looks so festive on the table. 5 stars!
So glad to hear that! It’s one of my favorite desserts. 🎉
Looks great but sounds complicated! Is it really worth it? 🤔
Why does everyone call it Bouch de Noel? Is that French? I’m confused.
I hate chocolate but my fam loves this. I just watch them eat it, lol!
Mine fell apart when I rolled it. Do you have any tips? 😩
Super easy to make! I love how it looks! My kids helped decorate. ❤️
Awesome recipe! But do I really need all that heavy cream? Seems like a lot.
This is basically a cake rolled up! What’s the big deal? I don’t get it.
It’s not just a rolled cake! It’s a tradition, and the flavors are amazing! You gotta appreciate the artistry in it! 🍰
Eh, it’s just a chocolate cake rolled up, right? I don’t get the hype.
It’s so much more than just a rolled cake! The flavors and the tradition really make it special. You should give it a try! 😋
Honestly, it seems complicated for just a cake. I might skip this one. 2 stars.
Did I miss something or where do you use the 2 cups of heavy cream? Sounds kinda dry without it… 1 star.
You actually use the heavy cream in the filling and frosting steps! It’s crucial to make it moist. Maybe check step 6 again! 🙂
I don’t like chocolate much, but even I loved this. Pretty good overall! 3 stars.
Just made it, and OMG so good! I’m not a baker but this was easy to follow. Yummy!
Made this with my kids! It was messy but they had a blast and we loved the taste. 4 stars!
4 stars? I think it deserves at least 5! This is an awesome recipe for the holidays. 🥳
Sounds like a fun time! My kids love helping in the kitchen too. Do you have any tips for keeping it less messy next time?