Introduction
The holidays are here, and what better way to celebrate than with a delicious chocolate yule log with cream cheese filling? This classic holiday treat is perfect for any festive occasion and is sure to impress your guests. Plus, with our easy-to-follow recipe, you can whip up this dessert in no time.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 6 large eggs, separated
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
For the cream cheese filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
For the chocolate ganache:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 15×10 inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the longer sides. 2. In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks with granulated sugar until pale and thick. Add cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt, and mix until well combined. 3. In another bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. 4. Sift the flour and baking powder over the egg yolk mixture and gently fold in. Add 1/3 of the egg whites to the mixture and fold in to lighten the batter. Then, carefully fold in the remaining egg whites. 5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cake is firm to the touch. 6. Meanwhile, sprinkle a clean kitchen towel with powdered sugar. When the cake is done, invert it onto the towel and carefully peel off the parchment paper. Roll up the cake, starting from the short end, with the towel inside. Let it cool completely. 7. To make the cream cheese filling, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar and mix until well combined. 8. Carefully unroll the cake and spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the cake. Roll up the cake again and place it seam-side down on a serving platter. 9. To make the chocolate ganache, heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until it comes to a simmer. Remove from heat and add the chocolate chips. Stir until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. 10. Pour the ganache over the cake, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes to set the ganache. 11. Serve the chocolate yule log with cream cheese filling chilled, garnished with fresh berries and a dusting of powdered sugar.
Nutritional Information
This recipe yields 12 servings. Each serving contains approximately:
- Calories: 478
- Total Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
- Sodium: 156mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 54g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 47g
- Protein: 6g
Cooking Time
Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 15 minutes Chilling time: 30 minutes
Equipment
- 15×10 inch jelly roll pan
- Parchment paper
- Electric mixer
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- Sifter
- Clean kitchen towel
- Saucepan
- Spatula
- Serving platter
Serving Suggestions
Serve this chocolate yule log with cream cheese filling chilled, garnished with fresh berries and a dusting of powdered sugar. It pairs well with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
Variations
For a lighter version, substitute half of the cream cheese with Greek yogurt. You can also add chopped nuts or dried fruit to the cream cheese filling for added texture and flavor.
Substitutions
If you don’t have semisweet chocolate chips for the ganache, you can use chopped chocolate instead.
Storage
Store any leftover chocolate yule log with cream cheese filling covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Tips
Make sure to beat the egg yolks and granulated sugar until pale and thick to ensure a light and fluffy cake. When rolling up the cake, use a clean kitchen towel sprinkled with powdered sugar to prevent sticking. To make the ganache, heat the cream until it comes to a simmer, then remove from heat before adding the chocolate chips. This will prevent the chocolate from burning.
Notes
This recipe requires some patience and skill, but the end result is well worth it. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully and don’t rush the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this chocolate yule log with cream cheese filling ahead of time and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze this dessert?
No, this dessert is not recommended for freezing as it may affect the texture and flavor.
Can I use a different type of filling?
Yes, you can use a different type of filling such as whipped cream, chocolate mousse, or fruit curd.
Final Thoughts
This chocolate yule log with cream cheese filling recipe is the perfect dessert for any holiday occasion. With its rich chocolate cake, creamy filling, and decadent ganache, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So why not try it out for yourself and indulge in a little bit of holiday magic? You won’t regret it.