Looking for a festive and decadent dessert to wow your friends and family this holiday season? Look no further than these black forest yule log recipes! These delicious treats are a twist on the classic yule log cake, featuring a rich chocolate sponge cake filled with whipped cream and cherries, and topped with even more whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and maraschino cherries.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 can cherry pie filling
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Chocolate shavings, for garnish
- Maraschino cherries, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 10×15 inch jelly roll pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually beat in the flour mixture, alternating with the milk, until the batter is smooth. Fold in the melted butter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cake is set and springs back when touched.
- While the cake is still warm, sprinkle a clean towel with powdered sugar and gently invert the cake onto the towel. Remove the pan and carefully roll up the cake in the towel. Let cool completely.
- Unroll the cake and spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the cake. Roll the cake back up without the towel, and transfer to a serving platter.
- In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Spread the whipped cream over the cake.
- Garnish with chocolate shavings and maraschino cherries. Serve and enjoy!
Nutritional Information
Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 367
Total Fat: 21g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 124mg
Sodium: 218mg
Total Carbohydrates: 41g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 30g
Protein: 5g
Cooking Time
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Equipment
- 10×15 inch jelly roll pan
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- Clean towel
- Serving platter
Serving Suggestions
This black forest yule log cake is perfect for serving at holiday parties, gatherings, or as a festive dessert for your family. Serve with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee for the ultimate holiday treat!
Variations
Looking to switch things up? Try using different fruit fillings, such as raspberry or strawberry, or swap out the whipped cream for cream cheese frosting. You can also add chopped nuts or drizzle with caramel or chocolate sauce for added flavor.
Substitutions
- You can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour for a gluten-free version of this cake.
- If you don’t have cherry pie filling, you can use fresh or frozen cherries instead. Simply pit and chop the cherries before spreading them over the cake.
- For a lighter version, you can use whipped coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
Storage
This cake can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply let it come to room temperature before serving.
Tips
- Be sure to roll the cake up while it’s still warm to prevent it from cracking.
- Use a clean towel that’s been generously dusted with powdered sugar to prevent the cake from sticking.
- For best results, chill the mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for a few minutes before whipping the cream.
Notes
This recipe makes 10-12 servings, depending on how thick you slice your cake. If you’re feeding a larger crowd, you can easily double the recipe and bake two cakes at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a yule log?
A yule log is a traditional dessert that originated in France, typically served during the Christmas season. It’s a sponge cake that’s rolled up and filled with whipped cream or buttercream frosting, then decorated to look like a log with frosting, powdered sugar, or other decorations.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! You can bake the cake and roll it up with the cherry filling ahead of time, then cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. Add the whipped cream and garnishes just before serving.
Can I freeze this cake?
Yes, this cake can be frozen for up to 1 month. Simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil before freezing. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
These black forest yule log recipes are a delicious and festive twist on the classic yule log cake. With a rich chocolate sponge cake, sweet cherry filling, and fluffy whipped cream, this dessert is sure to impress your guests and satisfy your sweet tooth. Give it a try this holiday season and enjoy!