The holidays are a time for delicious treats, and nothing says “festive” quite like a yule log. This classic dessert is a staple of holiday tables around the world, and for good reason: it’s festive, delicious, and surprisingly easy to make. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make a butter icing yule log that will impress your guests and satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
- Butter icing:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and line a 10×15-inch (25x38cm) jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add vanilla extract and melted butter, and beat until combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared jelly roll pan and spread it out evenly.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cake is golden and springs back when touched.
- Dust a clean kitchen towel with confectioners’ sugar. Invert the cake onto the towel, remove the parchment paper, and roll up the cake in the towel. Let it cool completely.
- Meanwhile, make the butter icing: In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and milk, and beat until smooth.
- Unroll the cooled cake and spread the butter icing evenly over the surface.
- Roll the cake back up, gently peeling the towel away as you go.
- Transfer the yule log to a serving platter and dust with confectioners’ sugar. Serve and enjoy!
Nutritional Information
Serving size: 1 slice
Calories: 420
Total fat: 21g
Saturated fat: 13g
Cholesterol: 120mg
Sodium: 95mg
Total carbohydrates: 56g
Dietary fiber: 0g
Total sugars: 50g
Protein: 3g
Cooking Time
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 12 minutes
Total time: 32 minutes
Equipment
- Medium bowl
- Large bowl
- Mixer
- Jelly roll pan
- Parchment paper
- Clean kitchen towel
- Serving platter
Serving Suggestions
Butter icing yule log is a beautiful and delicious dessert that is perfect for any holiday gathering. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream and some fresh berries for a festive touch.
Variations
If you want to mix things up a bit, you can add some cocoa powder to the cake batter to make a chocolate yule log. You can also add some chopped nuts or dried fruit to the butter icing for a bit of crunch and texture.
Substitutions
If you don’t have all-purpose flour, you can use cake flour instead. You can also substitute the unsalted butter for salted butter, but be sure to reduce the amount of salt in the recipe accordingly.
Storage
Store any leftover yule log covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving.
Tips
- Be sure to grease and line your jelly roll pan with parchment paper to prevent the cake from sticking.
- Dust the kitchen towel with plenty of confectioners’ sugar to prevent the cake from sticking.
- Let the cake cool completely before rolling it up.
- Don’t overfill the cake with butter icing, or it may crack when you roll it up.
Notes
This recipe makes one yule log, which serves about 8-10 people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a yule log?
A yule log is a traditional dessert that is typically served during the holidays. It is made of a sponge cake that is rolled up with a filling and decorated to look like a log.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the cake ahead of time and freeze it for up to 1 month. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before filling and rolling it up.
Can I use a different filling?
Yes! You can use any filling you like, such as whipped cream, cream cheese frosting, or fruit preserves.
The butter icing yule log is a classic dessert that will never go out of style. With its light and fluffy sponge cake and creamy butter icing, it’s the perfect treat to enjoy during the holidays. This recipe is surprisingly easy to make, and it’s sure to impress your guests. So why not give it a try this holiday season? Your taste buds will thank you!