Christmas log

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Sponge Cake

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 15×10-inch baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the vanilla extract and continue to whisk until combined.
4. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into the egg mixture, gently folding the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to deflate the batter.
5. Pour the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cake springs back when touched lightly.
7. While the cake is baking, prepare a clean kitchen towel by dusting it with powdered sugar. Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and immediately turn it out onto the towel, peeling off the parchment paper. Starting from one short edge, carefully roll the cake up with the towel inside. This will help the cake retain its shape as it cools. Let it cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Filling

1. While the cake is cooling, prepare the filling. In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
2. In a separate bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese until smooth and soft.
3. Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone cheese until the mixture is well combined and smooth. Set aside.

Step 3: Make the Chocolate Ganache

1. Chop the dark chocolate into small pieces and place it in a heatproof bowl.
2. In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and let it sit for a minute.
3. Stir the cream and chocolate together until smooth. Add the butter and stir until the ganache is glossy and fully combined.
4. Let the ganache cool slightly before using it to frost the cake.

Step 4: Assemble the Christmas Log

1. Carefully unroll the cooled sponge cake. Spread the mascarpone cream filling evenly over the surface, leaving a small border around the edges.
2. Re-roll the cake gently, using the towel as a guide, and place it seam-side down on a serving platter.
3. Frost the entire rolled cake with the chocolate ganache, using a spatula to create a “bark” texture by dragging the spatula along the surface.
4. To make the log look more realistic, you can score the ganache with a fork to mimic the texture of tree bark.

Step 5: Decorate and Serve

1. For extra holiday charm, decorate the Christmas Log with edible holly leaves, meringue mushrooms, or any other festive touches you like.
2. Optionally, dust the top of the log with powdered sugar to resemble snow.
3. Slice the log into generous portions and serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Tips for a Perfect Christmas Log

• Roll the cake carefully: When rolling the cake with the towel, be gentle to avoid cracking the sponge. It’s essential to let it cool in the rolled-up shape so it doesn’t break when you unroll it later.
• Use quality chocolate: For the ganache, choose a high-quality dark chocolate to ensure a rich, deep flavor.
• Make it your own: Feel free to add your own twist to the filling! You can swap out mascarpone for whipped cream cheese for a tangier flavor or add a hint of liqueur like Grand Marnier for a festive kick.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The Christmas Log is a stunning, delicious dessert that brings all the flavors of the season together in one festive package. With its light sponge cake, creamy filling, and rich ganache, it offers the perfect combination of textures and flavors that everyone will love. It’s a beautiful showstopper for your holiday table, and the best part? It’s not as difficult to make as it looks!

Whether you’re celebrating with family, hosting a holiday dinner, or bringing a sweet gift to a friend’s home, this Christmas Log will certainly become a new favorite holiday tradition.