How To Make A Yule Log

Step 1: You will need…

Step 2: Preheat the oven

Set the oven to 180ºC (350ºF/ gas mark 4)

Step 3: Break the chocolate

To begin making the chocolate sauce, break the chocolate roughly into pieces into the metal bowl then add the water.

Step 4: Melt the chocolate

Place a saucepan onto a high heat, half filled with water and bring it to a simmer. Put the bowl of chocolate on top of the pan and allow it to melt, stirring occasionally which will take about 5 minutes. Once melted remove from the heat and mix into a smooth paste.

Step 5: Mix with egg yolks

Pour the two egg yolks into a separate large bowl and taking your whisk, beat them lightly. Spoon in the melted chocolate and stir well.

Step 6: Whip the egg whites

Tip the two egg whites into a large bowl and with your mixer on a high setting, whip into soft peaks.

Step 7: Add egg whites

Into the bowl of melted chocolate, spoon in the stiffened egg whites with your spatula and gently begin to fold in. This keeps the air in and creates a light, fluffy consistency.

Step 8: Seal and chill

Cover the bowl with cling film and seal tightly, then place in the fridge and chill for 1 hour.

Step 9: Grease the paper

Coat the paper on the baking tray with a layer of butter.

Step 10: Make the sponge

Add the six egg yolks into a large bowl and whisk briefly until they begin to slightly thicken. Add the caster sugar and whisk again for roughly 30 seconds. Finally add the cocoa powder and whisk well.

Step 11: Whip the egg whites

Take the egg whites from the six eggs and put them into a large bowl. With your mixer on a high setting, whip until they form soft peaks.

Step 12: Add egg whites

Add the stiffened egg whites to the chocolate mix and fold in with your spatula.

Step 13: Layer the chocolate mix

Pour the chocolate mix into the relined baking tray and smooth to the edges with your spatula.

Step 14: Bake

Place the tray into the centre of the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until it becomes spongy. Once baked allow to cool in the tray, for roughly 30-45 minutes.

Step 15: Dust the tray

Whilst the sponge is cooling, liberally dust the second relined baking tray with icing sugar. Then lay the cooled chocolate sponge onto the dusted tray, parchment paper side up and remove the paper.

Step 16: Whip the cream

Pour the cream into a bowl and with your electric mixer switched onto a high setting, whip the cream for roughly 3 minutes to form soft peaks.

Step 17: Spread the mix

Spread the chocolate mix evenly, all over the sponge, then spread over the whipped cream.

Step 18: Roll into a log

Carefully roll up the cake to make a log, rolling from the shortest side. Don't worry if it cracks, it just gives it a more rustic look.

Step 19: Dust and serve

Sprinkle some icing sugar over your Yule log and it's ready to serve!