Traditional Christmas Vanilla Yule Log Cake Recipe

The vanilla yule log cake recipe is a traditional Christmas dessert that dates back to the 19th century.

About three weeks before Christmas, the yule log is carved into a cake and decorated with fruit, flowers, or ribbons.

The logs look similar to an upside-down wedding cake. A star-shaped sugar mold tops each log, then placed on a cake stand.

How To Prepare Vanilla Yule Log Cake Recipe?

Serving Size: 10 people

Equipment:

• A saucepan
• A mixing bowl
• A whisk
• An electric mixer or a wooden spoon
• A spatula
• A serrated blade

Ingredients:

• 200 g butter
• 3 large eggs
• 200 g sugar (1½ cups)
• 125 ml milk
• 250 g flour (2 cups)
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder (½ tsp)
• 2 tsp vanilla essence

For the frosting:

• 120 g soft butter or margarine
• 60 g icing sugar or confectioner’s sugar (3 ¼ tbsp)
• 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon or nutmeg peppermint essence to your taste.

How To Make

For Cake:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 170 C.

Step 2: Line the bottom of the cake pan with baking paper or grease with butter.

Step 3: Melt butter over low heat and add eggs, sugar, and vanilla essence. Mix until well combined. Set aside for 10-15 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken.

Step 4: In a mixing bowl, combine flour and baking powder, then stir in milk by hand before adding to the egg mixture by whisking (they must be well blended now).

Step 5: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan and bake for about 50 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched.

For Frosting:

Step 1: In a mixing bowl, cream butter over low heat until well combined with sugar, cinnamon, and peppermint essence.

Step 2: Stir in icing sugar by hand until completely mixed. Spread onto the cake with a spatula or sprinkle onto the cake using a piping bag before serving.

Nutrition Facts Of Vanilla Yule Log Cake Recipe

• Calories: 190 kcal
• Fat: 6.5g (sat 1.5 g)
• Carbohydrates: 31.4 g
• Protein: 2.4 g
• Cholesterol: 42 mg
• Sodium: 176 mg
• Potassium: 128 mg
• Fiber: 0.7 g
• Sugar: 26.

What Does The Yule Log Cake Represent?

In traditional Christianity, it’s believed that the log signifies Jesus, the offspring of the Father and Mary. The yule cake fell off a pole during a hunt by the father as he chased after a white stag.

It is also believed that the yule cake was burned while on the hearth, representing Jesus’ death on the cross at Calvary.

But most importantly, the yule log cake symbolizes love during Christmas, especially between family members and friends.

What’s The Difference Between Swiss Roll And Yule Log?

The vanilla yule log cake is traditionally prepared and decorated using a Swiss roll. The traditional recipe for the Swiss roll requires a special cream cheese filling.

The filling contains cream cheese and almonds, but you can use another filling like Nutella (chocolate spread).

The cake is rolled, usually by hand, then sliced into even slices before serving. Yule log refers to the eight weeknight nights before Christmas and is in preparation for Christmas Eve, also known as Twelfth Night.

What Is Yule Log Flavour?

In most European countries, the yule log flavor is made with cinnamon and nutmeg. However, the vanilla yule log cake recipe in the United States features a custard-like frosting flavored with vanilla extract.

Is Yule Log A Viking Tradition?

Although the yule log cake is a Christmas tradition in most parts of Europe and the United States, it’s a modern creation.

The origin of the Germanic Yule log is unclear, as there are legends that speak of a Christmas tree.

What Does The Yule Log Cake Represent Pagan?

Yule log cake is a Christian tradition that’s been around for hundreds of years. Although some may believe the yule log cake to be an old pagan tradition,

there are many variations of the yule log cake, including its ingredients and appearance, reflecting Christmas traditions in the Christian religion.

Why Do We Eat Yule Log At Christmas?

The reasons for eating the yule log during Christmas are varied. Some say it’s to commemorate Jesus’ death, while others believe it represents the ashes of the yule log burning on the fireplace.

Others believe it was a pagan tradition based on celebrating the solstice and the winter solstice.

Conclusion

The vanilla yule log cake recipe is a traditional Christmas cake that many people worldwide eat during Christmas.

The flavor of the vanilla yule log cake may vary in each region due to the traditional decoration and garnish used.

This is especially true in Spain, where laurel leaves or pine cones are used as garlands.

The fact that it’s a Christian tradition adds another level of meaning when eating this cheesecake.

FAQ