Chocolate, Hazelnut & Caramel Yule Log
A festive rolled chocolate sponge cake filled with salted caramel whipped cream, chopped hazelnuts, and covered in silky dark chocolate ganache. Light yet indulgent, this yule log is a stunning holiday centerpiece.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes (including cooling/assembly)
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- For the chocolate sponge:
- Eggs, separated into yolks and whites
- Caster sugar
- Cocoa powder
- For the cream filling:
- Double cream (cold)
- Salted caramel
- Chopped hazelnuts
- For the ganache:
- 70% dark chocolate
- Double cream
- Unsalted butter
- For decorations:
- Icing sugar
- Frosted cranberries
- Frosted rosemary sprigs
- Edible fondant decorations
- Gold stars, glitter, or sprinkles
- Meringue mushrooms
Instructions
- Make the sponge: Preheat oven to 170°C (fan). Line a 15×10 inch tray. Whisk yolks with half the sugar until pale, then mix in cocoa. In another bowl, whisk whites to stiff peaks, gradually adding remaining sugar until glossy. Fold whites into yolk mixture. Spread in tray, bake 12 minutes. Flip onto cocoa-dusted tea towel, peel paper, roll from short side, and cool 1 hour.
- Make ganache: Melt chocolate, cream, and butter gently. Stir smooth, cool 30–40 minutes, then whisk to fluffy texture.
- Make filling: Whip cream to soft peaks, fold in salted caramel. Do not overwhip. Stir in chopped hazelnuts.
- Assemble: Unroll sponge, spread filling evenly, sprinkle hazelnuts, then re-roll tightly. Trim one end at an angle and attach to side for yule log shape.
- Decorate: Cover with ganache. Use fork or palette knife to create bark texture. Dust with icing sugar and garnish with festive decorations.
Notes
- Make nut-free by omitting hazelnuts or using crushed cookies.
- Add orange extract or espresso to ganache for flavor depth.
- Spike filling with Baileys or hazelnut liqueur for a boozy twist.
- Try white chocolate ganache for a sweeter version.
- Swap salted caramel with raspberry jam or Nutella for variety.
- Best eaten fresh, but can be frozen (wrapped tightly) before decorating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of recipe)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
