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A Yule log cake is the perfect addition to your Christmas spread. Also known as bûche de Noël, this festive treat is made of sponge cake and is intended to resemble a miniature tree trunk.
In many parts of Northern Europe, dating back to pre-Christian times, a large log would be burned for several days during winter as an offering to guarantee a good harvest.
It was also believed that this ancient custom, tied to the winter solstice festivals, could protect the home from lightning, as long as a piece of charred wood was kept in the house.
In Scotland, some even carve the face of Cailleach, a Celtic goddess of the cold and winds, onto a log before letting it burn to symbolise leaving the year's difficulties behind and embracing a new beginning.
Rich and decadent
Today, the tradition is honoured with a chocolate log cake. The main ingredients for the base are butter, eggs, sugar, flour and cocoa powder. Cream cheese, sugar and cream are used for the filling. The exterior “bark” is made from chocolate, double cream and syrup.
Kathy Ng Yiu-fan is a senior nutritionist at Kat-Spirit Nutrition Centre in Hong Kong.
She explained that the Yule log cake, like most rich and decadent holiday desserts, does tend to be quite high in calories, fat and sugar.
“The frosting … a rich chocolate buttercream or ganache, is usually the most calorie-dense part. It also has the highest amounts of fat and sugar,” Ng said.
For example, one slice of a Yule log cake with chocolate ganache frosting would be around 471 calories, 31 grams of fat and at least 37 grams of sugar. There should also be around seven grams of protein.
A variation with buttercream frosting may seem more nutritious, but still comes in at around 200 calories, six grams of fat, 18 grams of sugar and two grams of protein.
Similarly, other holiday treats like fruitcake and gingerbread can be high in hidden sugar, carbohydrates and fats, so it is worth being mindful, especially if you eat something bought from a store.
“But don’t forget that food is culture and celebration. You should enjoy them,” Ng said, adding that you can also choose to make a healthy Yule log cake at home.
Wholesome Yule log
Ingredients
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1 cup of pitted dates
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½ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
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½ cup of rolled oats
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½ cup of plain Greek yogurt
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1 tablespoon of honey
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a handful of mint leaves
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a handful of dried cranberries, fresh raspberries or strawberries
Directions
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Add one tablespoon of water, dates, cocoa powder and rolled oats to a food processor.
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Process until the mixture forms a thick, sticky dough ball. It should hold together easily when pressed.
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Lay out a piece of cling film or parchment paper.
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Press the dough out onto the film into a rough rectangle, about ¼ inch thick.
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In a small bowl, mix the Greek yogurt and honey until smooth.
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Spread the yogurt filling evenly over the chocolate dough rectangle, leaving a 1cm border along the edges.
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Use the cling film to gently lift and roll the log tightly from the short end.
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Wrap the log tightly and refrigerate for at least two hours to let it firm up.
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Unwrap the cake and dust it with more cocoa powder. Use a fork to drag lines across the log to mimic the texture of bark. Decorate with mint leaves and your choice of berries.
