Bûche de Noël (Yule Log) with Chestnut Filling
Bûche de Noël
Ingredients
5 eggs separated
1 cup confectioner sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
3 tbsp. cocoa powder
Directions
Preheat the oven to a 400° Fahrenheit. Grease a 15 1/2 by 10 1/2 jelly roll pan. Line the jellyroll pan with greased and floured waxed paper. Beat the egg white until soft peak (at high speed). Slowly add the 1/2 cup confectioner sugar and remain beating (at high speed) until stiff. Set aside Beat the egg yolks (at low speed) until creamy and add salt, 1/2 cup confectioner sugar and cocoa powder. Slowly fold the yolk mixture onto the egg whites until blended.
Spread the batter into the prepared jelly pan and bake for 15 minutes or until batter is done (check with a knife)(be careful not to overcook). Place a clean towel on kitchen counter sprinkle with some cocoa powder (this will prevent the roll to stick). Slowly invert the roll onto prepared cloth and peel the waxed paper (do it slowly).
Roll towel with roll from narrow end until rolled. Let cool completely. When roll is cold, unroll very carefully (not to break the roll) and fill with the chestnut filling (see below). Roll the cake back and frost with the remaining chestnut filling. With fork design a stripe patter to resemble a log decorate with little meringue mushroom (optional) and sprinkle some confectioner sugar on top to look like snow.
Chestnut Filling Ingredients
1 1/2 cup whipping cream
1 15 oz. (439 grams) sweetened chestnut puree (available in most markets)
Filling Preparation
With mixer at high speed beat the whipping cream until stiff. In a bowl mix slowly the whipped cream with the chestnut puree until smooth. Fill the roll with filling as explain above.
Notes
Bûche de Noël with Chestnut Filling is best prepared a day in advance.
In France Bûche de Noël is a Christmas tradition. They are available in all the “Patisseries” (bakeries) and come in many different flavors such as: chocolate, vanilla, mocha or grand marnier filling. Some are prepared with butter cream and some with whipped cream and are beautifully decorated with little edible Christmas ornaments.
