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, similar to sour cream pound 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 making it but it didn’t roll properly. Maybe I overbaked it?
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! 😋
This was a huge hit at our family gathering! Everyone loved it!
Really? I tried it and it was too rich for my taste. Maybe I did something wrong? 🤔
So happy to hear that! It’s such a festive treat! 🎉
So good! Made it for Christmas and everyone asked for seconds.
Eh, it’s just a chocolate cake, right? Didn’t see the big deal!
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?
Not bad, but way too sweet for my taste. I think cutting down on sugar could help.
Looks fancy! Can I use cool whip instead of whipping cream? Gonna try that!
The instructions were kinda confusing. Like, how does the cake just ‘spring back’? But I enjoyed it overall.
Not sure about the chocolate shavings, what can I use instead? Anyone got ideas?
Can’t believe I messed this up! 🙁 Followed all the steps but it didn’t taste like chocolate. Weird.
Absolutely delicious! Didn’t even last a day at my holiday party! Everyone loved it.
I don’t get all the fuss. The cake didn’t roll up well and fell apart. Very frustrating! Maybe I did something wrong?
Are you supposed to eat it cold? Mine was kinda hard after it chilled. I dunno if I did it right.
This seems way too complicated. I’ll stick with my store-bought options – less messy!
Yum! My mother used to make this every Christmas. Brings back good memories!
Took me forever but it was worth it! I had to redo step 4 like three times. Why is it so hard to fold?
Disaster! My cake burned and the cream was runny. Never again with this recipe.
Sounds like you messed up big time. The cream should’ve whipped up right. Not everyone is cut out for baking, I guess!
I’m so sorry to hear that! Baking can be tricky at times. Maybe the oven temperature was off? Keep trying, and don’t give up!
Wow, so easy to follow! Loved the creamy filling, my kids want me to make it every week! 😂
Took longer than expected to bake. Make sure you watch it closely!
Just average. Not a fan of the taste.
I totally disagree! This is one of my favorites. The chocolate flavor is rich and perfect for the holidays. Maybe you didn’t make it right?
Way too sweet for my liking, not making it again. 😝
Too sweet? Like, how can that even be? It’s a dessert! But good for you trying something new!
I think it’s all about balance! Maybe cut the sugar next time? It can still be delicious without overwhelming sweetness. 🥳
Yum! Mine turned out beautiful! #proudbaker
Super easy and fun to make! My kids loved rolling the cake. Will definitely make again!
Sounds fancy but not too hard. I’ll give it a shot!
Never made a rolled cake before. Do you think it could taste good if I use vanilla instead of chocolate?
I have no idea what a ‘Buche de Noel’ is but it looks pretty. I might try it.
Yummy 🥳, but so much sugar! I feel like I’m bouncing off the walls! 😂
Haha, right? 😂 It’s like a sugar high waiting to happen! But totally worth it for the taste!
Best Buche de Noel recipe ever! Everyone loved it! I added a sprinkle of cinnamon to the cream.
I love chocolate! Can’t wait to make this for Christmas!
Absolutely loved this recipe! It was a hit at our holiday dinner!
I think you forgot to add the butter in the instructions, right?
I think it looks fine as is, butter isn’t always necessary. Besides, this recipe is called a ‘Buche de Noel,’ not a butter-cream log! Give it a try without it!
I tried it, but mine fell apart. Any tips?
Did you really fold the egg whites in gently? If you’re too rough, it can fall apart. Just a thought.
Make sure to let it cool completely before rolling it up! That might help it stay together.
This recipe is amazing! My family loved it! Definitely a keeper!
So glad to hear it! This dessert is a classic and perfect for the holidays. 🎄
Looks good but ain’t it hard to make? My cakes never come out right. 🤔
Why do we need to separate the eggs? Seems like too much work for a cake.
Yum! Can’t wait to try it! 🎉
Not really what I expected, the cake was a bit dry. Maybe I messed up?
Don’t be too hard on yourself! A little dryness can happen, especially if the baking time is off. How long did you bake it?
I had a similar problem before. I think the eggs might’ve been too beaten or something? Just keep practicing, it’s all about trial and error!
I was a bit confused by the steps, but it turned out okay. Next time, I might watch a video to help.
Absolutely delicious! I made this for Christmas, and everyone loved it. Will definitely make again! 🍰
How can a cake be that good? Sounds too fancy for my taste. Guess I’ll stick to brownies! 😅
So glad you enjoyed it! It really is a festive favorite! 🎄✨
This is so difficult! I don’t think I did it right. It tasted fine, but it fell apart! 😩
Wow, this looks complicated! Can I just buy a ready cake instead??
My grandmother used to make this every Christmas. She always added a bit of brandy!
Can you make this without eggs? I’m allergic.
A tree cake? Sounds fancy! But is it really a traditional thing? Hear it’s French.
Yes! The Buche de Noel is indeed a traditional French cake. It’s a Christmas staple in France and really looks impressive on the table!
Why is it called a Yule log? I thought it was made of wood! 🤷♂️
I just used store-bought frosting, and it still looked amazing! Not sure about all this whipping cream stuff. 😂
Great recipe! But mine came out a bit dry. Maybe I left it too long in the oven?
I tried this and it came out really flat 😢. Did I do something wrong?
Tastes amazing! But I didn’t have heavy cream, used milk instead. Still good!
This looks absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to try it for Christmas dinner!