Are you ready to add some feline fun to your holiday celebrations? Look no further than Happy the Cat Yule Log 2022! This dessert is sure to delight cat lovers and dessert enthusiasts alike. With a fluffy sponge cake base, a creamy filling, and adorable cat decorations, this dessert is the purrfect addition to any holiday gathering.
Ingredients:
- For the sponge cake:
- 4 eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the filling:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the decorations:
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut, dyed green
- 12 chocolate wafer cookies
- 24 candy eyes
- 12 candy noses
- 24 candy ears
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 15×10 inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and mix until just combined.
- Stir in the milk and vanilla extract.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the cake springs back when touched.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Carefully remove the cake from the pan, peel off the parchment paper, and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until well combined.
- Spread the filling evenly over the cooled cake.
- Starting with the short end of the cake, carefully roll it up, using the parchment paper to help you. Roll it tightly and place it seam-side down on a serving platter.
- Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- Before serving, decorate the cake with the shredded coconut, chocolate wafer cookies, candy eyes, noses, and ears. Use toothpicks to secure the decorations in place.
Nutritional Information:
Serving size: 1 slice
Calories: 345
Total Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 104mg
Sodium: 245mg
Total Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 28g
Protein: 5g
Cooking Time:
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Chilling time: 2 hours or overnight
Equipment:
- 15×10 inch jelly roll pan
- Parchment paper
- Electric mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Wire rack
- Serving platter
- Toothpicks
Serving Suggestions:
This cake is best served chilled, straight from the fridge. Enjoy with a hot cup of tea or coffee, or a glass of cold milk. Serve as a dessert at your holiday party, or enjoy a slice on a cozy winter evening.
Variations and Substitutions:
For a chocolate version of this cake, replace 1/4 cup of the flour with cocoa powder. You can also use different colored coconut for the decorations, or use different candy shapes to create your own unique cat design. If you don’t have candy eyes, noses, or ears, you can use mini chocolate chips, raisins, or sliced almonds instead.
Storage:
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The decorations may soften over time, but the cake will still be delicious.
Tips and Notes:
- Make sure to roll the cake tightly to avoid any gaps in the filling.
- Be gentle when handling the cake, as it can be fragile when rolled.
- Use toothpicks to secure the decorations in place, but make sure to remove them before serving.
- Feel free to get creative with your cat decorations! Use different colors and shapes to make your cake truly unique.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I make this cake ahead of time?
- Can I freeze this cake?
- Can I use a different filling?
Yes! This cake can be made up to a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve it.
While you can freeze this cake, the decorations may not hold up well in the freezer. It is best to store it in the refrigerator.
Absolutely! You can use any filling you like, such as chocolate ganache, fruit preserves, or whipped cream.
Final Thoughts:
Happy the Cat Yule Log 2022 is a fun and festive dessert that is sure to bring a smile to your face. With its fluffy sponge cake, creamy filling, and adorable cat decorations, this dessert is a perfect addition to any holiday gathering. Whether you’re a cat lover or simply a dessert enthusiast, this recipe is a must-try. So gather your ingredients, put on some holiday tunes, and get ready to create a deliciously purrfect dessert!