How do you roll a Yule log cake?

The real secret to making a roulade is to pre roll the cake while it’s still hot out of the oven. Like this one because that trains the cake.

How do you keep a Yule log cake from cracking?

Just cover the hot cake with a clean dish towel and then gently roll it into a log. The cloth will prevent the cake from sticking to itself and will also absorb some of the moisture coming from the cooling roll. When it’s completely cool, gently unroll the cake, frost the inside, and roll it back up again.

Does a Yule log cake need to be refrigerated?

To store in the refrigerator: Loosely cover the yule log cake with plastic cling wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To store in the freezer: Place the yule log cake on a parchment-lined baking sheet until completely frozen, about 2 hours.

What does the Yule log cake represent?

Yule log cake, or bûche de Noël, is a Christmas cake with a ritualistic past. Cleverly shaped and decorated to look like a 3-D log, the cake represents a melding of ancient midwinter traditions: one that celebrated the end of winter, and another honoring the Norse god Thor.

Why did my Yule log crack?

If you overbeat the batter or bake the cake too long, it could become dense, gummy, or dry — and thus more likely to crack. Our yule log recipe has 1/4 cup (25g) oil in it, which provided some helpful moisture.

How long does a Yule log cake last?

3 days

Decorate with meringue mushrooms, sugared cranberries and rosemary, and a dusting of confectioners’ sugar just before serving. Cover leftover cake and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Why is my cake burnt on the outside and raw in the middle?

If you find that your cakes are brown on the outside but are still raw on the inside then it is likely that the oven is too hot. Most cakes are baked at around 180c/350F/Gas Mark 4 on the middle shelf of the oven.

How far in advance should you make Christmas cake?

Christmas Cake Tip #1: Make it well in advance of Christmas
It’s best to get baking around two or three months before Christmas. This gives you plenty of time to let it mature and ‘feed’ your Christmas Cake regularly as the big day approaches.

Why do the French eat Yule log at Christmas?

A custom of French culture, the bûche de Noël French Christmas tradition is thought to have stemmed from a Medieval feudal tax levied at Christmas. Called the “right of the log”, the peasants on Christmas Eve had to bring a large piece of wood from the forest to the feudal lord’s manor house.

Is the Yule log a pagan tradition?

Origins of Yule log tradition
As are most holiday traditions, the origins of the Yule log are believed to have stemmed from Germanic or Scandinavian paganism. The tradition of burning the Yule log began as an early winter solstice ritual, though the exact date the tradition started has been lost to us.

How do you roll a cake without a towel?

You’ll use the parchment paper later to roll your cake roll. NO TOWEL REQUIRED! Instead of flipping out a cake onto a towel, just lift the cake out of the pan and roll it into the paper it’s already sitting in. EASY PEASY!

Should you refrigerate a buche de Noel?

Does a Bûche de Noël Need to be Refrigerated? Whether or not a yule log needs to be refrigerated depends on the filling. If filled with mousse, it definitely needs to be refrigerated and not left out at room temperature for over 2 hours. Christmas is not the time to get food poisoning.

What is a Yule log made of?

The custom of the Yule Log spread all over Europe and different kinds of wood are used in different countries. In England, Oak is traditional; in Scotland, it is Birch; while in France, it’s Cherry. Also, in France, the log is sprinkled with wine, before it is burnt, so that it smells nice when it is lit.

Can you put a cake back in the oven if not done?

If you’ve taken your cake out of the oven and it’s undercooked, simply stick it back in the oven for five to ten minutes. If the bottom is undercooked only, wrap the cake with tinfoil before placing back in the oven.

Can I put an undercooked cake back in the oven?

Here’s a solution: If you find you underbaked your cake soon after removing it from the oven and it’s still hot, pop it back in and bake it at least another 10 to 15 minutes more. Remember to do the doneness test before removing from the oven and cooling.

How long should you soak fruit for Christmas cake?

It is ideal to leave the fruits soaking for 4-5 weeks before baking rich fruit cake. It can be stored at room temperature but also can be kept refrigerated for longer shelf life for upto a year.

What is the best alcohol to put in a Christmas cake?

You can use rum, brandy or whisky for spice, or if you like citrus flavours, try an orange liqueur. Cherry brandy and amaretto will also work well if you prefer these.

What is a traditional Yule log made of?

When should you eat a Yule log?

A Yule log or bûche de Noël (French pronunciation: ​[byʃ də nɔɛl]) is a traditional Christmas cake, often served as a dessert near Christmas, especially in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and several former French colonies such as Canada, Vietnam, and Lebanon.

What tree is a Yule log?

Popularly depicted as a birch log, a Yule log may have to be a more energy-dense kind of wood if you want it to burn all day. Especially if you want leftovers for next year. While birch is picturesque, it doesn’t compare with many other hardwoods in terms of the heat it gives off and how long it burns.

Is swiss roll a Yule log?

The main difference between yule log and swiss roll is their appearance. Yule logs are made to resemble Yule logs that are burned on the Christmas eve while Swiss rolls are just cylindrical cakes with a spiral cross-section.

Why does my roll cake crack?

The cake was under-baked: The cake will be very moist and difficult to handle. With the whipped cream it may have too much moisture and will fall apart easily. The cake was over-baked: If over-baked the cake will be a lot drier and more prone to cracks. A crack in your roll can cause the swiss roll to fall apart.

Is Swiss roll a Yule log?

Why do we make Yule log at Christmas?

It began as part of the winter solstice festivities. The candles and lights associated with Christmas, meant to symbolize guiding beacons for the Christ child, may have evolved from the Yule log, which was lit to entice the Sun to return as part of the jól (Yule) festival in Scandinavia.

What is the tradition of the Yule log?

The Christmas practice calls for burning a portion of the log each evening until Twelfth Night (January 6). The log is subsequently placed beneath the bed for luck, and particularly for protection from the household threats of lightning and, with some irony, fire.