Bûche de Noël

Bûche de Noël, or Yule Log, is a traditional French dessert that resembles a log, crafted from a light sponge cake and filled with a rich chocolate ganache. This vegetarian version is perfect for celebrating the festive season with its delightful flavors and charming presentation.

Ingredients

• Eggs - 2 large
• Granulated sugar - 50 grams
• All-purpose flour - 40 grams
• Cocoa powder - 10 grams
• Baking powder - 1/4 teaspoon
• Salt - a pinch
• Butter - 30 grams, melted
• Heavy cream - 100 milliliters
• Dark chocolate (70% cocoa) - 100 grams, chopped
• Vanilla extract - 1/2 teaspoon
• Powdered sugar - for dusting
• Fresh berries (for garnish) - a handful

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a 30x20 cm baking tray with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
3. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, then gently fold into the egg mixture.
4. Add the melted butter and fold until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared baking tray and spread evenly.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Place a clean kitchen towel on a flat surface and dust it with powdered sugar.
7. Carefully invert the sponge cake onto the towel, peel off the parchment paper, and roll it up with the towel, starting from one of the short ends. Let it cool completely in this rolled shape.
8. Meanwhile, prepare the chocolate ganache by heating the heavy cream in a saucepan until just simmering. Remove from heat and add the chopped dark chocolate and vanilla extract, stirring until smooth.
9. Once the cake has cooled, unroll it carefully and spread a layer of the chocolate ganache evenly over the inside. Roll the cake back up without the towel.
10. Trim the ends of the rolled cake to create a clean edge. Place it seam-side down on a serving platter.
11. Use the remaining ganache to cover the outside of the log, then use a fork to create bark-like textures on the surface.
12. Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh berries before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 380
• Protein: 5 g
• Carbs: 41 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 55 mg
• Cholesterol: 120 mg
• Total Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Water: 0.1 L

Health Benefits

• Contains antioxidants from dark chocolate that may improve heart health.
• Provides a moderate amount of protein from eggs and cream, supporting muscle maintenance.

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