Name: Festive Chocolate Yule Log Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 37 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 4 large eggs, separated; 1/2 cup granulated sugar, divided; 1/3 cup all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup cocoa powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup heavy cream; 2 tablespoons powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 1/4 cup cocoa powder; 1 tablespoon milk or cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Fresh cranberries; Edible mushrooms or meringue mushroom kit; Edible glitter or snow; Fresh sprigs of rosemary or Evergreen

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 22 reviews

If you’re looking for a dessert that truly steals the show this holiday season, you’ve got to try this Festive Chocolate Yule Log Recipe. There’s something magical about baking and decorating a Yule Log that fills the kitchen with cozy vibes and the smell of pure chocolaty goodness! Whether it’s your first time making a roll cake or you’re a seasoned pro, I promise this recipe is both approachable and absolutely delicious — I love how every bite feels like a festive hug.

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Why This Recipe Works

Light and Fluffy Sponge: Using beaten egg whites gives the cake a delicate texture that’s perfect for rolling without cracking.
Whipped Cream Filling: The softly sweetened cream adds a lovely contrast, keeping the dessert from feeling too heavy.
Rich Chocolate Buttercream: The frosting is smooth, decadent, and textured like tree bark for that classic Yule Log look.
Festive Decorations: Fresh cranberries, rosemary, and edible mushrooms bring a beautiful, natural holiday touch on top.

Festive Chocolate Yule Log, Christmas Yule Log, Holiday Chocolate Cake, Festive Roll Cake, Chocolate Dessert for Holidays - A long chocolate log cake sits on a wooden board, decorated to look like a tree trunk. The outside is covered in dark chocolate frosting with textured swirls mimicking tree bark, while the cut end reveals smooth chocolate cream swirled in a circular pattern. Small mushroom-shaped sweets dusted with powdered sugar, bright red berries, and pinecones are placed on top and around the cake for decoration. Sprigs of green pine needles add a festive touch, and soft white candles glow blurred in the background. The whole setup rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Festive Chocolate Yule Log Recipe uses simple ingredients that come together beautifully. Picking quality cocoa powder and fresh eggs will really up your game, and don’t skip on the heavy cream—it’s the key to that luscious filling.

Festive Chocolate Yule Log, Christmas Yule Log, Holiday Chocolate Cake, Festive Roll Cake, Chocolate Dessert for Holidays - Flat lay of four large brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of rich brown cocoa powder, a small white bowl of baking powder, a small white bowl of salt, a small white bowl of vanilla extract, a small white bowl of heavy cream, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, a small white bowl of softened unsalted butter, a small white bowl of milk or cream, fresh bright red cranberries scattered naturally, a few fresh green rosemary sprigs, and delicate edible mushrooms arranged neatly, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Eggs: Separating whites and yolks lets you create that airy sponge; fresh eggs make a difference in texture.
Granulated Sugar: Dividing it helps stabilize the eggs and sweeten without weighing down the batter.
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the sponge, sifted to keep it light and lump-free.
Cocoa Powder: Choose a good-quality unsweetened cocoa for that deep chocolate flavor and rich color.
Baking Powder & Salt: Small touches that balance rise and flavor perfectly.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and complements the chocolate.
Heavy Cream: Whipped into the filling for that airy, sweet contrast against chocolate.
Powdered Sugar: For gently sweetening both the filling and buttercream without grit.
Unsalted Butter: Softened butter blends smoothly into the frosting, providing richness without salt overpowering the chocolate.
Milk or Cream: Added to the buttercream to achieve perfect spreadability and creaminess.
Decorations (optional): Fresh cranberries, rosemary, and edible mushrooms make the cake look as wonderful as it tastes.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I always like to play around with the filling and decorations based on who I’m sharing it with. You can easily make this Festive Chocolate Yule Log Recipe your own by swapping flavors or adding your favorite festive touches — and I encourage you to experiment!

Variation: One holiday, I tried adding a splash of coffee liqueur to the chocolate buttercream, and wow, it felt so grown-up and indulgent — definitely something to try if you love mocha flavors.
Dietary Modifications: If you’re dairy-free, coconut cream whipped with a bit of maple syrup replaces the heavy cream beautifully in the filling.
Seasonal Twist: Add a pinch of cinnamon or orange zest to the sponge batter for a subtle holiday spice kick.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Chocolate Yule Log Recipe

Step 1: Master the Perfect Sponge

This step really sets the foundation. I start by patiently beating egg whites until soft peaks form, then I add sugar gradually until they’re stiff but glossy — this creates the airiness your sponge needs. In a separate bowl, I beat egg yolks with sugar until pale and fluffy. Mixing sifted cocoa, flour, baking powder, and salt into the yolks gently keeps the texture tender. Folding in the egg whites carefully, without deflating, takes some practice, but trust me — it’s worth it for that soft, rollable cake. Spread the batter evenly on a parchment-lined pan and bake just until springy to the touch, about 10–12 minutes.

Step 2: Roll ‘Em Up While Warm

Right out of the oven, I flip the warm sponge onto a powdered sugar-dusted clean kitchen towel. Starting at the short end, I roll the cake up with the towel inside — this tricks the sponge to “remember” the rolled shape so it doesn’t crack later. Letting it cool completely like this is key. Don’t skip this trick; it saved me from many broken logs in the past!

Step 3: Whip and Spread the Filling

In a chilled bowl, I whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until I get stiff peaks that hold their shape. Gently unroll the cooled sponge and spread the whipped cream evenly—greater thickness means more luscious bites! Then, I carefully roll the cake back up without squeezing out the filling, wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap before refrigerating to set.

Step 4: Chocolate Buttercream Magic

To frost the Yule Log, I beat softened butter with powdered sugar, cocoa, milk or cream, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. Spreading this over the chilled roll is so satisfying, and using a fork to create “tree bark” texture gives it that classic rustic look. It’s the little touches here that make this Festive Chocolate Yule Log Recipe so charming.

Step 5: Decorate and Impress

I love topping the cake with fresh cranberries and sprigs of rosemary for pops of color and fragrance. Sometimes I use edible meringue mushrooms—they look impressive but are surprisingly easy to make or buy. A light dusting of powdered sugar over everything creates the perfect snowy finish. Try presenting it on a wooden board to amp up that cozy holiday vibe.

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Pro Tips for Making Festive Chocolate Yule Log Recipe

Don’t Overbake the Sponge: It should spring back lightly—overbaking makes rolling tough and cracks happen.
Fold Gently: When folding the egg whites in, use a spatula and slow motions to preserve all that lovely air.
Chill Before Frosting: Wrapping and chilling the roll helps the filling set and keeps your buttercream from sliding off.
Use the Kitchen Towel Trick: Rolling the hot cake in the towel first avoids cracks and makes rolling later a breeze.

How to Serve Festive Chocolate Yule Log Recipe

Festive Chocolate Yule Log, Christmas Yule Log, Holiday Chocolate Cake, Festive Roll Cake, Chocolate Dessert for Holidays - The image shows a rolled chocolate cake with four visible layers: a dark brown chocolate outer layer with a textured, ridged pattern; a white creamy layer inside that is smooth and thick; another dark brown cake layer that is soft and spongy; and a final white cream layer in the center that looks fluffy. The top of the cake roll is dusted with white powdered sugar and decorated with small red berries and green leaves, adding color contrast. The cake is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I stick with fresh cranberries and rosemary because their colors pop against the dark chocolate, and they add that lovely holiday aroma. Edible meringue mushrooms are a fun touch if you’re feeling fancy—they bring the forest vibe to life. A light dusting of powdered sugar as “snow” is not just visually pleasing but adds a subtle sweetness too.

Side Dishes

Pairing this festive dessert with a mug of hot mulled cider or salted caramel coffee is my favorite cozy combo. Sometimes, I serve petit fours or spiced nuts alongside for guests to nibble on before slicing into the log.

Creative Ways to Present

During last Christmas, I placed the Yule Log on a rustic wooden board surrounded by pine cones and fairy lights for a warm centerpiece look. Another time, I wrapped the serving platter with a burlap runner and scattered cranberries around—it’s a simple trick that impresses every time!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (which might be rare!), wrap the Yule Log well in plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator. I’ve found it stays fresh and moist for up to 3 days, making this a great make-ahead holiday treat.

Freezing

Freezing works surprisingly well! I wrap the log tightly in cling wrap and then aluminum foil. When ready to serve, I thaw it in the fridge overnight—texture and flavor hold up if you’re careful.

Reheating

This cake is best served chilled but if you want to warm it slightly, I recommend letting it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it can melt the buttercream unevenly and make the sponge too soft.

FAQs

Can I make the Festive Chocolate Yule Log Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can bake the sponge and prepare the fillings a day ahead. After assembling and decorating, keep it refrigerated and it will stay fresh for up to 3 days, making it super convenient for holiday entertaining.
What if my sponge cracks when rolling?

Don’t worry, sponge cracking is common for beginners. To avoid it, roll the cake while it’s still warm using a powdered sugar–dusted kitchen towel. If cracks do happen, you can patch them with frosting or whipped cream—they’re usually not noticeable once decorated.
Can I use a different filling instead of whipped cream?

Yes! Buttercream or cream cheese-based fillings work beautifully. Just keep in mind that whipped cream is lighter and balances the rich chocolate sponge nicely, so altering the filling might change the overall texture and flavor profile.
How do I decorate the Yule Log beautifully?

Try natural decorations like fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs for color and aroma. Adding edible meringue mushrooms or dusting the cake with powdered sugar creates a woodland, snowy effect that guests will adore.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Chocolate Yule Log Recipe has become my go-to holiday treat because it’s as beautiful as it is delicious. I love the ritual of gently rolling the warm sponge and the joy of decorating it with simple yet elegant touches. If you want a showstopper dessert that invites smiles and compliments, give this recipe a try — you’ll feel so proud pulling it out at your next holiday gathering, and everyone will be asking for seconds!