Continuing with the seasonal Cakes & Bakes recipes, this week I made a Christmas Yule log. It’s the perfect sweet course alternative for people that don’t like dried fruit-filled Christmas pudding, Christmas cake or mince pies.
This cake is basically a chocolate Swiss roll with chocolate filling and chocolate icing on the outside. Apparently, a Yule log can trace its history back to the time of the Druids. It was later taken up by Christians: “As the fire grew brighter and burned hotter, and as the log turned into ashes, it symbolized Christ’s final and ultimate triumph over sin.”
I still don’t have a proper Swiss roll tin, so I used a rectangular, loose-bottomed tart tin. So that the sponge didn’t turn out too thin and biscuity, I didn’t allow the batter to spread all the way into the corners.
The trickiest part of the process was rolling up the still warm sponge with a clean, damp tea towel. It helps stop the sponge from cracking when rolling it up after filling. Don’t worry if it does though – it will be getting covered up with buttercream… which can hide a multitude of mistakes!
Serve it sliced with whipped or brandy cream. Save the recipe to Pinterest here.
- 3 eggs
- 75g caster sugar
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 50g plain flour
- 50g butter, softened
- 75g icing sugar
- 1 tbsp cocoa
- 75g butter, softened
- 75g icing sugar
- 75g dark chocolate
- Pre-heat the oven to 200°C, 180°C (fan), 400°F, Gas mark 6
- Line a 23x32cm/9x13" Swiss roll tin with parchment
- Separate the eggs into two bowls and beat the whites until stiff
- Add the sugar to the yolks and beat until thickened
- Sieve the cocoa powder over the yolks and beat again
- Gently fold the egg whites into the yolks with a metal spoon, using a cutting and turning action
- Sieve the flour into the bowl and gently combine by cutting and folding with the spoon
- Pour the mixture into the prepared tin, spreading it out to the edges
- Bake for 10-12 minutes
- Slightly dampen a clean tea towel
- Slide the hot cake, still on its parchment, onto the tea towel
- Roll up the sponge, on the parchment, in the tea towel and leave to cool
- Put the filling butter into a bowl and beat it until it is light and fluffy
- Sieve the icing sugar and cocoa powder into the bowl and beat until combined and soft
- Gently unroll the cold sponge and loosen it from the parchment paper
- Spread the filling evenly over the inside of the sponge
- Roll up the filled sponge
- Put the topping butter into a bowl and beat it until it is light and fluffy
- Sieve the icing sugar into the bowl and beat until combined
- Gently melt the chocolate and mix this into the bowl
- Spread the topping over the rolled up sponge
- Drag a fork or skewer through the icing to create a log texture effect
Decorating the safe way this holiday season
The holiday season is weeks away and that means many people are already preparing for the parties, presents, gatherings and, of course, the fun decorations that make the celebrations even more special.
When choosing decorations for the holiday season, there are a few things to keep in mind. You must purchase accessories that fall within your budget, that are safe and free from hazards, and also items that won’t draw pests in your direction.
Not only could a professional decorator be useful to help with your holiday decorating, you may also find the benefits of hiring a pest control company such as Joshua’s Pest Control Kansas City area. They can give your property a top to bottom check as part of your overall preparations and spruce up.
Great holiday decorating ideas
When it’s time to decorate for the holidays, there are many ways to instantly turn your home into a festive haven. Perhaps there are some long-standing holiday traditions that you incorporate into your interior scheme. Yuletide decorating can be a simple, fun way to express your festive spirit and keep customs alive and well.
A lovely tree is usually one of the first decorations added when December rolls around. There’s a range of trees, both real and artificial, in sizes from 2-ft. to 12-ft. high and some that are even taller. Over 3,000 fires occur each holiday season due to Christmas trees catching alight after all those beautiful baubles have been hung. The combination of lights and ornaments can be a fire hazard. Remember to switch the lights off at the wall socket and blow out candles and tea-lights before going to bed at night to reduce risks.
Once the tree is in place, lights usually follow. They can be hung both indoors and outdoors. It’s probably a good idea to call in a professional if you’re installing lights on the exterior of your home. They’ll ensure proper procedures are followed when carrying out the task – and reduce the risk of anything untoward happening.
It’s fun for kids to get involved in creating decorations so why not get the glue and glitter out and help them create those fabulous garlands, ornaments for the tree and other embellishments? Kids of all ages can join in! Working collectively brings family & friends closer together at this wonderful time of year… a shared experience which makes for fond memories that you’ll treasure for years to come.
There are many ways to bedeck your home for the holidays. Many decorations are easy to create yourself but don’t hesitate to pick up the phone to call the pros if the project puts your health and safety at risk… or if you simply want a design or level of expertise that’s beyond your capabilities.
When to hire a professional decorator
Professional decorators can create inviting holiday décor that really enhances the spirit of the season. Whilst many people prefer decorating their own homes, there are sometimes good reasons why hiring a professional is the better option. Perhaps you lack the same knowledge or eye for detail as a professional decorator, or maybe it’s safety concerns that are important. In either situation, the professional is there to offer their services when needed the most.
As we said earlier – over 3,000 fires occur as a result of trees catching fire every Christmas season. And then there are lights, candles, baubles, textiles, packaging materials, artificial snow and the like. When a trained decorator creates your design, there’s little worry about safety as professionals will ensure potential hazards minimised. Sometimes it’s best to call in the experts… then you can sit back and relax.
The bottom line
Don’t let pests or other potential headaches rain on your holiday parade. Use the ideas above when it’s time to decorate and create a scene that warms the heart and lifts the festive mood. Know when it’s time to call a professional. Whether it’s a decorator or a pest control expert, it’s important that you know when it’s time to pick up that phone or browse the internet for help.
[disclosure*]
Etsy List: Winter Solstice
It’s the 21st of December today – the winter solstice or, if we’re being pedantic, it happens at exactly 4:48am tomorrow morning. I for one am looking forward to a little more light in my life!
It’s a day (or night) that has been celebrated for millennia by people around the world. From the druids at Stonehenge to the family gatherings for the Dongzhi Festival in China.
Many of the winter solstice customs are intertwined with those of Christmas. The pagan Scandinavian celebration of ‘Jul’ or Yule celebrates the god, Odin – who, with his long white beard, bears a striking resemblance to Father Christmas.
Winter Solstice
Curated by H is for Home
