Stump de Noel, also known as Yule Log or Buche de Noel, is a traditional French Christmas cake that resembles a tree stump with a realistic bark-like texture. This festive dessert, often served on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, is made with a sponge cake base, rolled into a cylindrical shape and coated with a rich chocolate ganache. The cake is then decorated with meringue mushrooms, chocolate leaves, and powdered sugar "snow" to complete the illusion of a wintery forest scene. Discover the best recipe to create this stunning and delicious centerpiece for your holiday table.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
NOEL CAKE
Steps:
- Cake:
- Mix and bake 2 (8-inch) cake layers according to spice cake package directions. Cool completely. Mix the 2 boxes of chocolate cake together according to package instructions. Bake 2 (6-inch) and 2 (10-inch) cake layers and 1 (7-ounce) ramekin. Cool completely.;
- Cone Tree:
- In a medium bowl combine white chocolate and 4 drops of green food coloring. Place bowl in microwave and heat at 50 percent power in 20-second intervals until white chocolate is melted and smooth. Dip the sugar cone into the chocolate and spin it around so that it is evenly coated. Remove from bowl and let excess chocolate drip off. Place on a plate lined with waxed paper and let dry.;
- Assembly:
- In a large bowl stir together frosting and about 10 to 12 drops of green food coloring. The icing should be a pale green color. If too light in color, add a few more drops of food coloring. Transfer the icing to plastic releasable bags or a pastry bag. Cut 1/2-inch off the corner of the plastic bags and set aside. Cut off the top of each layer so that it is flat and even. To assemble cake, place 4-inch by 12-inch strips of parchment paper around the edge of the cake plate or stand. Place 1 (10-inch) cake layer on cake stand on top of the parchment paper. Spread a layer of frosting and top with remaining 10-inch layer. Frost cake with icing. Place 1 (8-inch) layer on cardboard cake round. Spread an even layer of frosting and top with remaining 8-inch layer. Frost cake with icing and place on top and in the center of the frosted 10-inch cake. Place 1 (6-inch) layer on a cardboard cake round. Spread with a layer of frosting and top with remain 6-inch layer. Frost cake with icing and place on top and in the center of the frosted 8-inch cake. Place the small cake that was baked in the 7-ounce ramekin (or the jumbo cupcake) on top of the 6-inch layer and frost with the icing. Place the cone tree on top. To decorate the cake, first carefully remove the parchment paper from underneath the bottom layer. Using the can of white decorating icing fitted with the star tip make small rosettes around the top and bottom edge of each cake tier and the bottom of the cone tree. Place a small rosette at the top of the cone tree. Drape the licorice whips like "garland" around the bottom 3 cake tiers using the 6-inch lengths for the top layer, the 8-inch lengths for the middle layer and the 10-inch length for the bottom layer. Using the yellow icing can fitted with a star tip, pipe rosettes where the garland strands meet. Place 1 small rosette on top of the cone tree. Using the red icing fitted with the round tip randomly place small red dots around the cake. Place candles in the yellow icing rosettes between licorice garlands.;
WOODLAND STUMP CAKE
Martha's modern version of the traditional yule log cake, or buche de noel, calls for rolling and filling chiffon cake with chocolate-hazelnut cream, covering in chocolate "tree bark," and decorating with candied "mushrooms" and pistachio "moss."
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cake Recipes
Yield Makes one 11-to-12-inch cake
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Chiffon Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush two rimmed baking sheets with butter. Line with parchment; butter parchment.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl, whisk together oil, egg yolks, milk, and vanilla seeds. Whisk egg-yolk mixture into flour mixture.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites on high speed until frothy. Add cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 3/4 cup granulated sugar, beating until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 5 minutes. Whisk one-third of egg-white mixture into batter. Gently but thoroughly fold in remaining egg-white mixture with a rubber spatula.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared sheets and spread to edges with a spatula. Bake until tops spring back when lightly touched, about 18 minutes. Dust two kitchen towels with confectioners' sugar. Invert one cake onto a towel; remove parchment. Dust with more confectioners' sugar. Starting at one short side, roll into a log, incorporating towel. Repeat with remaining cake. Let cool completely.
- White Modeling Chocolate: Stir together white chocolate and 3 tablespoons corn syrup until mixture has consistency of thick batter or very soft dough. If mixture is too thick, add remaining 1 tablespoon corn syrup. Pour mixture into center of a large piece of plastic wrap; use edges of plastic to gather into a disk. Wrap tightly and let stand until firm, about 1 hour or up to overnight. When ready to use, transfer to a surface dusted with confectioners' sugar; knead until smooth and pliable.
- Semisweet Modeling Chocolate: Stir together semisweet chocolate and corn syrup until mixture has consistency of thick batter or very soft dough. Pour mixture into center of a large piece of plastic wrap; use edges of plastic to gather into a disk. Wrap tightly and let stand until firm, about 1 hour or up to overnight. When ready to use, transfer to a surface dusted with cocoa; knead until smooth and pliable.
- Chocolate-Hazelnut Filling: In a small bowl, whisk together chocolate-hazelnut spread and 1/4 cup cream until thickened. In a large bowl, whisk together remaining 3 cups cream and confectioners' sugar until soft peaks form. Add chocolate mixture and continue whisking until stiff peaks form.
- Assembly: Unroll cooled cakes, remove kitchen towels, and reroll. Cut each cake crosswise into thirds. Unroll one piece of cake and spread with about 1 cup filling. Roll into a tight spiral and place, cut-side up, in center of a large serving platter. Unroll a second piece of cake, spread with another 1 cup filling, and wrap around perimeter of first piece. Repeat with remaining 4 pieces of cake. Spread remaining filling over top and sides of cake.
- Roll white modeling chocolate into a 1/4-inch-thick round, about 11 inches in diameter. Place on top of cake and fold overhanging edges down sides of cake. Lightly brush overhanging edges with water. Roll 1 1/2 cups semisweet modeling chocolate into a 6-by-8-inch rectangle. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to press a pattern crosswise on semisweet chocolate to resemble bark. Use a pizza wheel to cut a straight edge along one long side of semisweet chocolate. Affix bark to perimeter of cake, cut-side up, and gather bottom to resemble roots, placing small balls of semisweet chocolate in between bark and cake to create more dimension. Continue in this manner, working around sides of cake. Repeat process with remaining semisweet chocolate, then seam pieces of semisweet chocolate together by pinching and folding over each other to create a gnarled appearance.
- Using a paring knife, score lines onto surface of tree stump, radiating out from center, to resemble cracks. Use a soft bristled brush to dust white chocolate with cocoa. Mix a small amount of cocoa with water, one drop at a time, until it has consistency of thick paint. Dip the tip of a 2-inch-wide coarse brush into cocoa mixture; dry-brush tree rings onto surface of tree stump. Brush sides and roots of stump in some spots with corn syrup; sprinkle pistachios over brushed spots to create appearance of patches of moss. Place a few candy mushrooms on sides of cake. Decorated cake can be stored in refrigerator, covered, up to 1 day.
BUCHE DE NOEL
Buche de Noel is the French name for a Christmas cake shaped like a log. This one is a heavenly flourless chocolate cake rolled with chocolate whipped cream. Traditionally, Buche de Noel is decorated with confectioners' sugar to resemble snow on a Yule log.
Provided by TYRARACHELE
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European French
Time 1h30m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whip cream, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup cocoa, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until thick and stiff. Refrigerate.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat egg yolks with 1/2 cup sugar until thick and pale. Blend in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, and salt. In large glass bowl, using clean beaters, whip egg whites to soft peaks. Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar, and beat until whites form stiff peaks. Immediately fold the yolk mixture into the whites. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the cake springs back when lightly touched. Dust a clean dishtowel with confectioners' sugar. Run a knife around the edge of the pan, and turn the warm cake out onto the towel. Remove and discard parchment paper. Starting at the short edge of the cake, roll the cake up with the towel. Cool for 30 minutes.
- Unroll the cake, and spread the filling to within 1 inch of the edge. Roll the cake up with the filling inside. Place seam side down onto a serving plate, and refrigerate until serving. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 275.6 calories, Carbohydrate 27.6 g, Cholesterol 156.8 mg, Fat 17.7 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 5.1 g, SaturatedFat 10.4 g, Sodium 72.4 mg, Sugar 22.9 g
STUMP DE NOEL CAKE
Categories Chocolate
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Cake: Whisk together in a bowl: Flour Cocoa Powder Baking Powder Baking Soda Salt Set aside In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a flat beater: Butter on medium speed until smooth, 30-45 seconds. Reduce to low and add sugar,until blended. Increase speed to med. high until light & fluffy. Stop occasionally to scrape the sides. Add eggs, beating after each addition, until the batter is thick and creamy. Stop to scrape the sides. Add vanilla Reduce speed to low and add flour in 3 additions, adding sour cream alternately, beginning and ending with flour. Remove bowl and gently fold in melted chocolate. Pour into pan, tap to release air. Bake 60-70 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool about 10 minutes. Invert onto a cooling rack and cool for 1 hour. Glaze: Place chopped chocolate in a bowl. In a small saucepan(medium heat) bring cream to a simmer. Pour the cream over the chocolate and stir until melted and smooth. Set the rack with the cake over a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper and pour the glaze over it. Let it cool to room temperature, then dust with powdered sugar just before serving. Garnish the top and sides with fresh Holly Leaves.
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before you start baking, make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment you need. This will help you stay organized and avoid scrambling later on.
- Use High-Quality Ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly affect the taste of your cake. Use the best cocoa powder, chocolate, and butter that you can find.
- Don't Overmix the Batter: Overmixing the batter can make the cake tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Be Patient: Making a bûche de Noël cake takes time and patience. Don't rush the process, or you may end up with a cake that is not as good as it could be.
- Store the Cake Properly: Once the cake is made, store it in a cool, dry place. The cake can be stored for up to 3 days at room temperature, or for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Conclusion:
The bûche de Noël is a classic French Christmas cake that is sure to impress your friends and family. With its rich chocolate flavor and festive decoration, it's the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season. While the cake may seem difficult to make, it's actually quite simple if you follow the steps carefully. So, don't be afraid to give it a try!
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