The holiday season is almost upon us and what better way to celebrate than with a classic quote from one of our favorite holiday movies, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Clark Griswold’s line, “That there is an RV” has become iconic, but did you know that it can also inspire a delicious holiday treat? That’s right, we’re talking about the Clark Griswold Yule Log Quote, a festive dessert that will light up your holiday table.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 eggs, separated
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/2 cup crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 15 x 10-inch jelly roll pan.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks until thick and lemon-colored. Gradually add the granulated sugar, beating until well combined.
- Stir in the water and vanilla extract.
- Add the dry ingredients to the egg yolk mixture and stir until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cake springs back when lightly touched.
- While the cake is still warm, sprinkle with powdered sugar and lay a clean kitchen towel on top.
- Starting at one end, roll the cake and towel together. Let cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, beat the butter until light and fluffy.
- Add the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and peppermint extract. Beat until smooth.
- Unroll the cake and spread the peppermint buttercream evenly over the surface.
- Sprinkle with crushed candy canes.
- Roll the cake back up and transfer to a serving platter.
- Sprinkle with additional powdered sugar and crushed candy canes, if desired.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutritional Information
Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 280
Total Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 95mg
Sodium: 120mg
Total Carbohydrates: 36g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 27g
Protein: 4g
Cooking Time
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Cooling Time: 45 minutes
Equipment
- 15 x 10-inch jelly roll pan
- Electric mixer
- Medium and large mixing bowls
- Spatula
- Clean kitchen towel
- Serving platter
Serving Suggestions
This yule log quote is a festive and delicious dessert that is perfect for the holiday season. Serve it with a cup of hot cocoa or a glass of milk for a cozy and comforting treat.
Variations
If you’re not a fan of peppermint, you can swap out the peppermint extract and candy canes for other flavors and toppings. Try using vanilla extract and chopped nuts, or almond extract and toasted coconut.
Substitutions
If you don’t have unsalted butter on hand, you can use salted butter and omit the additional salt in the recipe. You can also use buttermilk or sour cream instead of heavy cream in the buttercream filling.
Storage
This yule log quote can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
Tips
- Make sure to beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, but be careful not to overbeat them or they will become dry and grainy.
- When rolling the cake, make sure to roll it tightly but not too tightly, or it may crack.
- If you’re having trouble with the cake cracking, you can trim the edges before rolling it up to make it easier to roll.
- If you don’t have a jelly roll pan, you can use a rimmed baking sheet instead. Just make sure to line it with parchment paper and grease it well.
Notes
This recipe makes one yule log quote, which serves 8-10 people.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
- Can I freeze this recipe?
- Can I use a different filling?
Yes, you can make the cake and buttercream filling ahead of time and assemble the yule log quote just before serving.
Yes, you can freeze the unrolled cake for up to 1 month. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before filling and rolling.
Yes, you can use any filling you like, such as chocolate ganache, whipped cream, or fruit preserves.
Personal Thoughts
The Clark Griswold Yule Log Quote is a fun and festive dessert that is perfect for the holiday season. The combination of rich chocolate cake and creamy peppermint filling is absolutely delicious, and the crushed candy canes add a nice crunch and festive touch. This recipe may seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite easy to make and the result is a show-stopping dessert that will impress your guests. So why not light up your holiday table with this classic movie quote turned dessert?