Yule Log Queries

Asked by kirklac. Answered on 16th December 2015

Full question

I would like to make Nigella's Yule Log for Christmas, but as I haven't made one before I'm going to do a trial run. Reading through the ingredients list for the icing, I see that it says a tablespoon of vanilla extract. Is that definitely a tablespoon or should that be a teaspoon?

I'm wondering whether it's best to roll the cake part of the Yule Log, let it cool and then spread with the filling, or cool while flat and then fill and roll? Thanks

Our answer

Nigella's Yule Log (from Christmas and on the Nigella website) is a fairly traditional "buche de Noel" made with a light chocolate sponge cake and a rich chocolate icing. The icing stipulates a tablespoon of vanilla extract and this is correct, though you could use slightly less if you prefer.

Once the sponge cake has baked, it should be turned out onto a clean piece of baking parchment (parchment paper), covered with a clean tea towel and left to cool flat. The icing should only be spread over once the sponge cake is fully cooled, otherwise the icing could become too soft. The cake may crack slightly as it is rolled, but as the whole cake is covered completely in icing, any cracks will not show on the finished Yule Log.