Yule love this challenge…
A few years back now I got a gift. A beautiful box from a local Chocolatier all wrapped in festive wear. I went home secretly hoping they were caramels, only to open them up and find a chocolate Nativity scene…baby Jesus and all. I thought to myself, “What the @#$%? Who on Earth would eat a chocolate baby Jesus?” But apparently they are the biggest seller there around Christmas time.
And thus leads me to a phenomenon that I don’t quite understand….making food look like something real. I’m in favor of it when the food looks like food, ie a pumpkin cake made into the shape of a pumpkin…makes sense. But when we start making it in to animals, cars, people is where you start to lose me(exception being I love all food shaped like Mickey Mouse…some sort of childhood thing I guess).
Which brings me to the Yule Log. Now I will admit that I don’t really know the story behind it and I am to busy/lazy to look that up right now. But however it was invented, I’m sure large quantities of beer were consumed. Because really, how many times have you been walking into the forest and seen a log and thought, Damn I wish I could eat that wooden log. Or better yet…you wish you could eat that wooden log covered in fungus! So why the appeal of taking a cake and making it look like a wooden log caught on is beyond me…but then again I won’t eat a chocolate baby Jesus.
So when our founding Mothers, Ivonne(Cream Puffs in Venice) and Lis(La Mia Cucina) picked a Yule Log, I could do nothing but laugh. I should have known it would have been picked, it’s Christmas time, and they can often be a challenge..in this case a Daring Baker Challenge. Getting pass the fact that logs are for putting your butt on when you go camping and sit around a fire, the cake that was selected is actually very tasty.
For most people the biggest challenge is rolling the log. Mine did crack at the end…that is what frosting is for. I chose to add orange zest to my cake, but we could have added whatever flavor we wanted. The buttercream gave many a person a reason to swear. I have made this type of buttercream many a time so I did not have issue with it. I did add both chocolate and Grand Marnier to my buttercream. It was good. Good. Good. Good. I ate like 5 TBSP of it for lunch instead of something real. I chose to make mini meringue fungus…I mean mushrooms. They take the same amount of time to bake but way less time to dry out. I had hoped to find a small chainsaw to hack into my cake at dinner, you know for effect, but sadly no, I was left with just a cake knife. So much for realism. 
Be sure to check the Daring Baker Blogroll so you can see what the other 300 and something DBer’s came up with! And please this year, if someone gives you a chocolate Nativity scene, try not to eat the baby Jesus…it is his birthday after all. 
Yule Log
(from Perfect Cakes by Nick Malgieri and The Williams-Sonoma Collection: Dessert)
Recipe Quantity: Serves 12
Cake should be stored in a cool, dry place. Leftovers should be refrigerated
Recipes:
Plain Genoise:
3 large eggs
3 large egg yolks
pinch of salt
3/4 cup of sugar
1/2 cup cake flour - spoon flour into dry-measure cup and level off (also known as cake & pastry flour)
1/4 cup cornstarch
zest of 1 orange
one (1) 10 x 15 inch jelly-roll pan that has been buttered and lined with parchment paper and then buttered again
1.Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.
2.Half-fill a medium saucepan with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat so the water is simmering.
3.Whisk the eggs, egg yolks, salt and sugar together in the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer. Place over the pan of simmering water and whisk gently until the mixture is just lukewarm, about 100 degrees if you have a thermometer (or test with your finger - it should be warm to the touch).
4.Attach the bowl to the mixer and, with the whisk attachment, whip on medium-high speed until the egg mixture is cooled (touch the outside of the bowl to tell) and tripled in volume. The egg foam will be thick and will form a slowly dissolving ribbon falling back onto the bowl of whipped eggs when the whisk is lifted. Fold in orange zest.
5.While the eggs are whipping, stir together the flour and cornstarch.
6.Sift one-third of the flour mixture over the beaten eggs. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the flour mixture, making sure to scrape all the way to the bottom of the bowl on every pass through the batter to prevent the flour mixture from accumulating there and making lumps. Repeat with another third of the flour mixture and finally with the remainder.
7.Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
8.Bake the genoise for about 10 to 12 minutes. Make sure the cake doesn’t overbake and become too dry or it will not roll properly.
9.While the cake is baking, begin making the buttercream.
10.Once the cake is done (a tester will come out clean and if you press the cake lightly it will spring back), remove it from the oven and let it cool on a rack.
Chocolate Orange Coffee Buttercream:
4 large egg whites
1 cup sugar
24 tablespoons (3 sticks or 1-1/2 cups) unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoons instant espresso powder
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup melted chocolate, cooled
1.Whisk the egg whites and sugar together in the bowl of an electric mixer. Set the bowl over simmering water and whisk gently until the sugar is dissolved and the egg whites are hot.
2.Attach the bowl to the mixer and whip with the whisk on medium speed until cooled. Switch to the paddle and beat in the softened butter and continue beating until the buttercream is smooth. Dissolve the instant coffee in the liquor and beat into the buttercream. Add cocoa powder and chocolate, beat until fully incorporated.
Meringue Mushrooms:
3 large egg whites, at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup (3-1/2 ounces/105 g.) granulated sugar
1/3 cup (1-1/3 ounces/40 g.) icing sugar
Unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting
1.Preheat the oven to 225 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Have ready a pastry bag fitted with a small (no. 6) plain tip. In a bowl, using a mixer on medium-low speed, beat together the egg whites and cream of tartar until very foamy. Slowly add the granulated sugar while beating. Increase the speed to high and beat until soft peaks form when the beaters are lifted. Continue until the whites hold stiff, shiny peaks. Sift the icing sugar over the whites and, using a rubber spatula, fold in until well blended.
2.Scoop the mixture into the bag. On one baking sheet, pipe 48 stems, each ½ inch (12 mm.) wide at the base and tapering off to a point at the top, 3/4 inch (2 cm.) tall, and spaced about 1/2 inch (12 mm.) apart. On the other sheet, pipe 48 mounds for the tops, each about 1-1/4 inches (3 cm.) wide and 3/4 inch (2 cm.) high, also spaced 1/2 inch (12 mm.) apart. With a damp fingertip, gently smooth any pointy tips. Dust with cocoa. Reserve the remaining meringue.
3.Bake until dry and firm enough to lift off the paper, 50-55 minutes. Set the pans on the counter and turn the mounds flat side up. With the tip of a knife, carefully make a small hole in the flat side of each mound. Pipe small dabs of the remaining meringue into the holes and insert the stems tip first. Return to the oven until completely dry, about 15 minutes longer. Let cool completely on the sheets.
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:56 am
Heehee
I also thought it was weird to make a cake that looked like a tree and some fungi. Your buttercream is so silky. Happy Holidays!
December 22nd, 2007 at 1:01 am
Looks great! I don’t think I’m going to end up doing this challenge seeing as I have to do it tomorrow or the next day to do it…
December 22nd, 2007 at 2:12 am
Ahahaha Pea you crack me up. I don’t know about you, but every time I go hiking I wish I could eat the logs with a side of fungi.
Your log looks awesome. 
December 22nd, 2007 at 2:53 am
Looks wonderful! I love the decoration and the smoooth lines on the log. Very nice. Well done!
December 22nd, 2007 at 3:34 am
You made a pretty log despite your feelings about it!
December 22nd, 2007 at 3:44 am
That is beautiful! Love the rosemary twigs, and the buttercream sounds like heaven in the forest!
December 22nd, 2007 at 4:50 am
Your log looks great!
What did you end up doing with the chocolate baby Jesus? I wouldn’t be able to eat it, but it seems to me melting him or throwing him out would be just as bad.
December 22nd, 2007 at 4:53 am
Peabody,
Your log looks just great! I had troubles with my mushrooms staying crisp but I think that had something to do with the humidity. Great, great job - but then again, we all know you always churn out great cakes! Have a great Xmas!
December 22nd, 2007 at 5:58 am
Somehow I knew the amazing Peabody would produce an absolutely lovely yule log!
How I wish you’d have come up with a chainsaw to complete the picture!
December 22nd, 2007 at 6:38 am
That is one seriously good looking log to plant my butt on when walking in the forest………:) And your mushrooms are the most realistic I have ever seen. Well done Pea! And wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas in your shiny new home!!!
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:21 am
Your buttercream looks amazing! Great job on the challenge!
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:34 am
Chainsaw…eheheh!!! You are evil! Spectacular! Buttercream this good for lunch is a must!!
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:49 am
You are the very picture of self-control, only eating 5 tablespoons of that buttercream! I kept picking at mine and must admit: when it came time to frost the outer log, I was a bit short on buttercream
It looks absolutely luscious - awesome job! Grand Marnier and orange zest, mmmm…
December 22nd, 2007 at 8:30 am
Yeah! Well done. Your log looks good enough to eat. Or throw on the fire. My husband would have preferred yours with the Grand Marnier. Thanks for the tip, too, so I didn’t end up with a Yule stump.
December 22nd, 2007 at 8:36 am
Light the fire! That is a perfect yule log.
But we wouldn’t expect anything less from You.
Merry Christmas y’all!
December 22nd, 2007 at 8:40 am
Very pretty presentation!
December 22nd, 2007 at 8:41 am
Your cake looks so much prettier (if a log can be pretty!) than mine does. I wasn’t very artful with the pictures. Yours looks wonderful. BTW, I was more than half-way done rolling and a lovely crack decided to appear. Oh, well!
December 22nd, 2007 at 8:45 am
Oh, that is a lovely yule log, Peabody. I should have thought of rosemary instead of sitting there cutting fruit roll ups for 20 minutes
The minute I saw it posted on the DB blog, I *knew* it was yours!!
December 22nd, 2007 at 8:58 am
Your mushrooms are absolutely awesome (and totally realistic!). I’m in awe of you:)
Julie
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:13 am
Looks amazing! Love the meringue mushrooms, too cute!
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:31 am
So that’s how I should have assembled the “log”! That is really spectacular!
I’m all with you on the don’t eat a baby Jesus but I’m ok with eating this log or at least I would like you have had a taste.
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:43 am
a chocolate nativity scene, let alone a chocolate baby Jesus?? now I’ve heard of everything :0D
Peabody, what can I say - your Yule Log is so beautifully and meticulously executed!! Great job on yet another fascinating Daring Bakers Challenge! :0)
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:00 am
I love your bark indentations— beautiful!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:08 am
Beautiful! I love how put it together. I bet it looked beautiful in your new kitchen!
Happyu Holidays!
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:18 am
Your Yule Log looks great! This was my very first challenge. It has been fun peeking at everyone elses! I love your blog!
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:48 am
Beautiful log! Great pics too!
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:54 am
Oh Peabody, I can always count on your daring baker posts to be both educational and entertaining. A chocolate baby Jesus?!? And I’m considering hauling out the electric knife to hack into my log on Monday. You know, for effect.
Your yule log is gorgeous… if I saw it walking through the forest, it WOULD whet my appetite, fungi and all.
Best wishes for a Merry Christmas celebration and a happy, healthy, prosperous 2008!
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:56 am
It looks fantastic!! This was my first “food that looks like something I wouldn’t eat” making experience, & yule logs are pretty cool, LOVE the idea of adding orange to the butter cream- YUM!
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:21 pm
As always a great lookin challenge - also the orange flavor is an awesome addition!
December 22nd, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Peabody, I love your Yule Log and the dusted rosemary is wonderful touch.
Thanks for baking with me the past year as a Daring Baker and one of my close blogging friends. Happy New Year and looking forward to baking together next year.
December 22nd, 2007 at 2:28 pm
I think I’d have a lot of trouble eating the baby Jesus, too! Your Yule log is AMAAAAAAAAAAZING! It looks so real! And so chocolatey and good! Bravo!
Peabody, if I don’t speak to you before Christmas, have an amazing one in your new home. All be the best to you, my sweet!
December 22nd, 2007 at 3:01 pm
I think your log has a very nice whimsical look. If I were Gretchel, and I saw this log by the candy house, I’d give it a try!
December 22nd, 2007 at 3:35 pm
great job as always, peabody!
December 22nd, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Great looking yule log. I like the use of the orange and chocolate.
December 22nd, 2007 at 4:23 pm
i grew up loving this dessert…but it never occured to me until now that it IS a little odd that it is shaped like a tree log! i guess there just aren’t many things that are shaped in a roll in real life so someone figured they should just make it look like a log
yours looks beautiful and i love the combination of chocolate and orange 
December 22nd, 2007 at 5:16 pm
No pictures are popping up. Im sure it looks great by the sound of it and despite your annoyance. Youll be weirded out by mine as I went crazy with the realism.Will check back again to see the pictures.
December 22nd, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Haha a chocolate baby Jesus? Seriously?
When you mentioned the campfire I was sure you were going to say something at some point about having set your log on fire!
Nice work Peabody!
December 22nd, 2007 at 6:55 pm
I’m so glad you said it, because I had the same issues with this challenge!! I mean, why would anyone want to eat a log, and the mushrooms that are growing around the log?? They seem to be quite popular, but I’ve never understood it… But you are right, this was one tasty log! Yours looks amazing! The orange sounds like a wonderful addition as well.
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Peabody, gorgeous creation as usual! Such wonderful decorations! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Mmmm chocolate Jesus… I mean, er, excellent yule log…
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:55 pm
Your log looks great!
We don’t have this Christmas “tradition! in Germany, but that makes food blogging interesting: To see what others do.
December 23rd, 2007 at 12:16 am
Your post had me laughing out loud. The log is spectacular, whether for eating or for seating.
December 23rd, 2007 at 12:32 am
Just one word: Stunning!
Merry Christmas to you.
December 23rd, 2007 at 2:07 am
Hahaha yes! I can’t imagine why anyone would want to eat a chocolate baby Jesus either! Sounds vaguely disturbing. I love the look and colour of your Yule log!
December 23rd, 2007 at 2:55 am
BAHAHAHAA! I can so see your face opening that Xmas gift. teeeee!!
Lovely log- I knew it would be! And yeah.. really, I can’t say as I’ve ever looked at a fallen tree limb and thought it’d be delicious slathered in frosting. Go figger.
Happy holidays my sweet Gracie!
xoxoxo
December 23rd, 2007 at 4:38 am
Okay, while I wouldn’t think of making a cake that looks like a log, I sure wouldn’t mind tasting a piece of yours — it looks divine! Wishing you and your family a very happy holiday season….
December 23rd, 2007 at 6:24 am
cool buttercream!
December 23rd, 2007 at 6:28 am
Well your log does in fact looks very yummy. Well done. The part I don’t get is the extra bits on the log. I always make what I call a buche de noel, which is really a chocolate roulade filled and covered with whipped cream and has no extension, which just would get in the way of cutting.
December 23rd, 2007 at 7:59 am
So funny. I was thinking about the whole putting your butt on the log while you’re camping thing, too. And HEY! I recognize those cranberries and that rosemary. I did think of adding the orange to the buttercream, too, and should have because that is probably why we didn’t like ours. We did a burial at sea and waved as it slid into the trash after three days of sitting on the counter.
December 23rd, 2007 at 8:19 am
It looks wonderful!!! Great job. Merry Christmas.
December 23rd, 2007 at 8:40 am
Beautiful job! The rosemary is especially lovely.
December 23rd, 2007 at 10:34 am
Your log looks brilliant and your frosting is so smooth and silky. The Yule Log was traditionally a real wooden log that was burnt at Christmas as part of the ‘Yule Tide’ festivities. It then got turned into a dessert to eat at the festive period.
December 23rd, 2007 at 10:38 am
Nice decorative touches, the only thing missing are some moss. Have a Merry Christmas!
December 23rd, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Like you I added all the extras to my butter cream without a problem! Booze, melted choc and espresso powder. Now I want a chain saw! Hilarious!
December 23rd, 2007 at 1:36 pm
You actually ate it?? It looks to pretty to eat…great fungus…I mean mushrooms. Was sort of expecting a chocolate baby Jesus tucked under one of the stumps, but still this is spectacular. Merry Christmas!
December 23rd, 2007 at 2:27 pm
wow… your log looks amazing! i like the light colour - mine was chocolate so looks very different! well done you!
December 23rd, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Awesome log! And beautifully photographed.
December 23rd, 2007 at 3:40 pm
i too think eating a log-shaped cake with goofy decoratons is weird, but so weird that i love it! yours looks really stunning!
December 23rd, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Your log makes me miss the northwest - I think its the “holly” berries and the “fir” - ingenious, as always.
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:14 pm
love the buttercream idea, the decor and everything! Your bakes are always inspiring.
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Hi Peabody,
Another spectacular work!
I love your blog and reading about your DB challenges.
Happy Holidays to you.
Julius
http://occasionalbaker.blogspot.com
December 23rd, 2007 at 7:01 pm
oh my thats one mean looking log !!! superb ! u are really talented , i’m very impressed with that presentation.
Wish You n your family a Merry Christmas , and a Happy New Year.
December 23rd, 2007 at 7:26 pm
This certainly took much effort ~it is beautiful!
December 23rd, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Hilarious!! Looks delicious.
December 23rd, 2007 at 9:41 pm
If the logs I stumbled upon in the forest looked like yours–I would surely try to eat them. Just beautiful!
Now, the chocolate baby Jesus? What on earth were they smoking when they came up with that?
December 23rd, 2007 at 9:50 pm
Peabody- Your post had me chuckling. A chocolate baby Jesus, indeed!
Your Yule Log looks beautiful. A lot more realistic than mine, lol.
Happy Holidays to you!
December 24th, 2007 at 4:36 am
If wooden stump would be like your yule log, I surely would like to taste
Great job and great photos!
Merry Christmas!
December 24th, 2007 at 5:28 am
I’m amazed at how perfect the ridges on your log looked. Mine cracked too while rolling. Love the candied rosemary!
December 24th, 2007 at 7:20 am
Beautiful! Your frosting looks great and the flavor combo sounds delicious.
December 24th, 2007 at 8:48 am
Absolutely gorgeous! Your decorating skills are enviable!
December 24th, 2007 at 9:07 am
I think you’ve hit upon a potential gold mine with that min-chain saw idea of yours - yule log lovers the world over will pay good money for that kind of authenticity. Looks as great as an edible bit of tree ever could.
December 24th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Your fungus cake, I mean yule log, is stunning as I expected. I wouldn’t eat the baby Jesus either.
December 24th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
This yule log is definitely one of my favorites that came out of this challenge… It just looks so perfect, I don’t know how you could cut into it and dig in!
December 24th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Your cake looks great, Peabody. Merry Christmas!
December 24th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
That is just mouth watering!! Great work, great log! =)
December 25th, 2007 at 6:44 am
Yours is one of the best looking yule logs. Love your bark texture! Thanks for the comment on my first daring baker challenge.
December 25th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Oh, it is just beautiful!
December 25th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Oh I love the cute little mushrooms!
I’ve never quite understood the yule log either… was it good?
December 25th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Great post! We had chocolate Santas in the stockings today, but it’s pretty freaky to me, too. Your log looks quite edible and lovely and the rosemary is the perfect detail.
December 26th, 2007 at 12:18 am
If I was stomping around the forest and found this log you’ve made I would definitely whip out my mini-chainsaw and eat it up!!!
But no, I don’t think I could eat a chocolate baby Jesus…
December 26th, 2007 at 12:49 am
That is a lovely looking Yule Log! Love the idea of a chocolate orange butterceam! Sounds positively delicious!
Marie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/
December 26th, 2007 at 6:39 am
Beautiful! I love the shrooms:) My nephew, five, also wanted to know why we were eating a log cake!
December 26th, 2007 at 6:50 am
Ha ha ha ha! I couldn’t eat a chocolate baby Jesus, either! Too weird.
Your yule log looks scrumptious!
December 26th, 2007 at 8:25 am
just beautiful!
December 26th, 2007 at 9:05 am
Your yule log is simply fabulous. I love your pictures too. You did a wonderful job on the yule log.
Happy Holidays!
Natalie @ Gluten A Go Go
December 26th, 2007 at 11:15 am
great job - very 3d! Love the rosemary touch. happy new year.
-Sabra
December 26th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
What a beautiful log! I love the “holly” and tried so hard to think of how to make it, but you did it so simply. I also think the mushrooms on a cake are a bit odd and most people did not know if it was a sweet or savory dish when I brought it in!
December 27th, 2007 at 6:26 am
Your log looks fabulous! Very neat and pretty!
Cheers and Happy Holidays!
Rosa
December 27th, 2007 at 6:52 am
He he, Chocolate baby jesus indeed. I’ve never seen one of those but that is kind of disturbing. Your log, as expected, looks fantastic, but really I would have been very surprised if it hadn’t. Happy Holidays!
December 27th, 2007 at 7:10 am
As usual your challenge turned out wonderfully!! Great job.
December 27th, 2007 at 7:28 am
Looks great Peabody! I love your little decorations. I decorated mine with rosemary too!
December 27th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Haha Peabody-love your post!
I’m with you on the chocolately baby Jesus thing!
Your Yule log does inspire me to drool though.
Hope you have the loveliest of new years!
xoxo
Gabi
December 28th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
wow your log is making me swoon! it’s fantastic. and your post…hilarious! sweetest wishes for the new year
December 30th, 2007 at 3:11 am
Your log looks fantastic. I also went the Grand Marnier line on my first attempt. The second I used a hazelnut syrup - the Grand Marnier was better.
December 30th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
Your Yule looks great. Grand Marnier is a great idea. I’ll be doing that next time. It was so good, that would make it even better. Happy New Year.
January 3rd, 2008 at 10:08 am
Man, yours looks great. I had no cracking problems, and my buttercream came out great, but… well, I had ugly problems. Oops.