The Dreamiest Chocolate Hazelnut Yule Log Delight Recipe

Chocolate hazelnut yule log delights capture winter’s most magical culinary moments with incredible sensory appeal.

Rich, decadent flavors dance across your palate like elegant winter snowflakes.

Delicate textures blend smooth cream and nuanced nuttiness into a spectacular dessert experience.

Professional pastry techniques merge with warm holiday traditions in this spectacular creation.

Elegant swirls and sophisticated layers promise a remarkable centerpiece that impresses everyone gathered around your festive table.

Each slice whispers stories of comfort, celebration, and pure indulgence.

Explore this extraordinary dessert and let pure deliciousness transport you to moments of sweet joy.

Steps to Make Chocolate Hazelnut Yule Log

Step 1: Craft the Magical Sponge Base

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350°F. Gently line your jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Separate egg whites and yolks into different bowls. Whip egg whites into fluffy clouds, gradually sprinkling sugar until they stand tall and proud. In another bowl, beat egg yolks until they transform into a pale, creamy mixture. Sift dry ingredients together like a gentle snow. Carefully fold everything together, keeping the airiness intact.

Step 2: Bake the Dreamy Cake Layer

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with love. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until perfectly golden. Watch it rise and become magical!

Step 3: Create the Luscious Cream Filling

Chill a mixing bowl and whip heavy cream until it forms luxurious peaks. Add a touch of powdered sugar and vanilla for extra deliciousness.

Step 4: Roll and Chill the Cake

Carefully unroll the cooled cake. Spread the whipped cream generously across the surface. Gently roll the cake back up, using a kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar. Wrap in plastic and let it chill in the refrigerator for one hour.

Step 5: Whip Up Decadent Chocolate Buttercream

• Powdered sugar
• Cocoa powder
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Blend until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Step 6: Transform into a Woodland Masterpiece

Unwrap the chilled cake and place on a serving platter. Frost with chocolate buttercream, using a fork or spatula to create textured bark-like patterns. Let your creativity flow!

Step 7: Add the Finishing Snowfall

Dust the entire Yule log with a delicate layer of powdered sugar, creating a magical winter wonderland effect.

Step 8: Serve and Celebrate

Slice and serve your stunning Chocolate Hazelnut Yule Log.

Tips for Baking Yule Log

• Master Egg Separation: Use cold eggs, then separate whites and yolks carefully to ensure no yolk contamination, which prevents proper egg white whipping.
• Gentle Folding Technique: Fold dry ingredients and egg whites with a light hand using a spatula, turning the bowl as you fold to maintain air bubbles for a fluffy sponge cake.
• Precise Rolling Method: Roll the warm cake in a powdered sugar-dusted towel immediately after baking to prevent cracking and help shape the log easily when filling.
• Buttercream Texture Trick: Ensure butter is at room temperature and beat ingredients gradually to create a smooth, spreadable chocolate buttercream without lumps.
• Decorative Bark Design: Use a fork or offset spatula to create realistic bark-like texture on the buttercream, mimicking the natural lines and grooves of tree bark for an authentic Yule log appearance.

Reheating and Storing Yule Log

• Refrigerate: Wrap the Yule log tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Cover Carefully: Place a layer of parchment paper between the log and plastic wrap to prevent sticking and preserve decorative details.
• Gentle Reheating: Let the Yule log sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to soften the buttercream and restore its creamy texture.

Pairings for Chocolate Yule Log

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Complement the rich chocolate and hazelnut flavors with a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or a sweet Port wine, enhancing the dessert's decadent chocolate notes.
• Match with Creamy Coffee Liqueur: Serve alongside a chilled Baileys Irish Cream or Kahlúa to echo the dessert's luxurious chocolate and cream elements, creating a harmonious flavor experience.
• Elevate with Nutty Espresso: Accompany the Yule Log with a freshly brewed espresso or cappuccino, allowing the coffee's intensity to balance the sweet, creamy texture of the dessert.
• Enhance with Spiced Mulled Wine: Offer a warm, spiced mulled wine to complement the winter holiday theme, bringing out the cake's rich chocolate and warm seasonal spices.

Chocolate Hazelnut Log Variations

• Festive Hazelnut Mocha Roulade: Replace vanilla cream with hazelnut mocha buttercream by adding espresso powder and hazelnut liqueur to the filling, creating a rich coffee-inspired holiday dessert.
• Nutty Chocolate Orange Log: Incorporate orange zest into the sponge cake batter and add orange liqueur to the chocolate buttercream, garnishing with candied orange peel and chocolate shavings for a citrusy winter treat.
• Peppermint Chocolate Roll: Mix crushed peppermint candies into the whipped cream filling and add peppermint extract to the buttercream, topping with candy cane pieces for a festive Christmas-themed dessert.
• Almond Raspberry Chocolate Log: Swap hazelnut for almond extract in the sponge cake, fill with raspberry preserves and almond-infused whipped cream, then cover with dark chocolate buttercream for a decadent winter celebration cake.

Yule Log FAQs

• Can I make this Yule Log ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the cake 1-2 days in advance and store it wrapped in the refrigerator. Just add final decorations right before serving.

• How do I prevent my sponge cake from cracking when rolling?

Roll the warm cake in a powdered sugar-dusted kitchen towel immediately after baking. This helps create flexibility and prevents cracking.

• What if I don't have a jelly roll pan?

You can use a large rectangular baking sheet with raised edges. Just ensure you line it with parchment paper for easy cake removal.

• Can I substitute hazelnuts in this recipe?

While the recipe doesn’t specifically mention hazelnuts, you can sprinkle chopped toasted hazelnuts on top or between layers for extra crunch and flavor.

Chocolate Hazelnut Yule Log Summary

• This chocolate hazelnut Yule log transforms baking into a festive art form, creating a stunning dessert that looks like a woodland masterpiece right on your table.
• The recipe teaches advanced baking skills like precise egg whipping, gentle folding, and creating intricate decorative textures that elevate your pastry expertise without overwhelming complexity.
• Rich chocolate sponge combined with silky whipped cream and decadent buttercream delivers a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that melt smoothly in every heavenly bite, making it a showstopping holiday centerpiece.
• This dessert isn't just about taste – it's an interactive experience that brings loved ones together, encouraging playful decorating and sharing a traditional festive treat that sparks joy and creates lasting memories.

Ingredients for Yule Log

• Egg Whites, Egg Yolks: Essential for creating light, airy sponge cake texture with perfect structure.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps stabilize egg whites for fluffy cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, rich flavor to enhance overall taste.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates foundation for cake's structure and softness.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep chocolate flavor and rich dark color.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become light and tender.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.

• Heavy Cream: Provides rich, smooth base for whipped cream filling.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes whipped cream and buttercream.
• Softened Butter: Creates smooth, creamy texture for chocolate buttercream.
• Milk or Cream: Helps achieve perfect buttercream consistency.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds intense chocolate flavor to buttercream.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall depth of flavor in frosting.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Creates delicate snow-like dusting on final dessert.

Chocolate Hazelnut Yule Log Delight Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Festive chocolate hazelnut yule log delight whisks winter magic onto elegant dessert plates. Rich French pastry skills blend smooth chocolate ganache with toasted hazelnuts, promising delectable holiday indulgence for celebratory tables.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs (separated)
• ½ cup (120 ml) granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (40 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (25 g) cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Cream and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons (15 g) powdered sugar
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 ½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar
• ¼ cup (25 g) cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) milk or cream

Decorative Ingredients:

• Fresh cranberries
• Edible mushrooms or meringue mushroom kit
• Edible glitter or snow
• Fresh sprigs of rosemary or evergreen

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Instructions

1. Craft a foundation for the delicate sponge by whisking egg whites into a cloud-like consistency, incorporating sugar gradually until peaks stand tall and glossy.
2. In a separate vessel, transform egg yolks into a pale, velvety mixture by blending with sugar and a hint of vanilla essence.
3. Sift together the dry ingredients – flour, cocoa, rising agent, and salt – creating a featherlight powder that will give structure to the cake.
4. Delicately incorporate the dry mixture into the yolk base, then gently fold in the whipped egg whites, preserving the airiness of the batter.
5. Spread the silky batter across a parchment-lined pan, ensuring an even landscape for baking.
6. Bake in a preheated oven until the cake springs back with a gentle touch, approximately 10-12 minutes.
7. While still warm, carefully roll the cake within a sugar-dusted kitchen towel, allowing it to cool and memorize its curved shape.
8. Whip heavy cream into pillowy peaks, sweetened with powdered sugar and vanilla, creating a luxurious filling.
9. Unroll the cooled cake and lavish it with the cream, then re-roll with precision, wrapping securely in plastic to chill.
10. Conjure a rich chocolate buttercream by whipping butter with cocoa, sugar, and a splash of milk until impossibly smooth and fluffy.
11. Retrieve the chilled roll and place it on a serving canvas, then coat generously with the chocolate buttercream.
12. Sculpt bark-like textures using a fork or spatula, transforming the cake into a woodland-inspired masterpiece.
13. Dust the entire creation with a delicate veil of confectioners’ sugar, evoking a serene winter landscape.

Notes

• Master this delicate sponge cake technique by ensuring egg whites are whipped to stiff peaks without overbeating, which prevents a deflated cake texture.
• Create smooth filling by chilling the mixing bowl beforehand, guaranteeing perfectly whipped cream with stable, elegant peaks.
• Prevent cake cracking during rolling by using a powdered sugar-dusted kitchen towel and rolling the cake while still warm and pliable.
• Achieve realistic bark-like texture by using a fork or offset spatula to create intentional, uneven chocolate buttercream patterns mimicking tree bark.
• Store the completed Yule log in the refrigerator, covering loosely with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Enhance presentation by garnishing with chocolate shavings, sugared cranberries, or meringue mushrooms for an authentic woodland-inspired design.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 70 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg