What is a Bûche de Noël?

Looking for something new and different to serve for dessert at Christmas? Try a Bûche de Noël! 

Bûche de Noël means “Christmas log”, or maybe more commonly known as Yule Log. The tradition of the Yule Log is a Pagan ritual of burning a log at Winter Solstice to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck for the new year.  Somewhere in the 19th Century, French pastry chefs are credited with creating a beautiful log-shaped cake to represent the same good luck ritual and serving these delicious cakes at Christmas time. 

Some bakeries in America specialize in Bûches de Noël in various flavors and with lots of different decor options. If you'd like to try making your own at home, start with your favorite moist chocolate cake recipe that you bake on a sheet pan to about one inch thick. 

To your sheet cake, apply a liberal layer of your favorite kind of frosting and whatever amount you desire of anything from Reese's Pieces to chopped hazelnuts to candied ginger. The beauty of the Bûche is that anything works!

In France, after the Bûche de Noël is rolled into a log shape, it is traditionally covered with another layer of frosting, designed to look like the bark on a log, and then it is decorated with tiny decorations or ornaments. However you decorate yours, have fun making this French tradition your own!

Want to try making a Bûche de Noël but don't have an occasion? There's still time to host an impromptu holiday party or white elephant Christmas swap where the pièce de résistance is your Bûche de Noël. Start planning your holiday party today 

Joyeux Noël!