Description
This Gingerbread Yule Log features a spiced cake, orange-cardamom cream filling, and a caramelized ginger glaze, creating a festive and flavorful holiday dessert. It’s a show-stopping centerpiece perfect for celebrations.
Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour (150g / 5.3oz): Provides structure, with 1 tsp (5g) baking powder for lightness.
- Ground Ginger (1 tsp / 2g): Adds warm spice.
- Ground Cinnamon (1 tsp / 2g): Complements the ginger.
- Ground Cloves (½ tsp / 1g): Adds depth.
- Ground Nutmeg (¼ tsp / 0.5g): Provides a nutty aroma.
- Salt (¼ tsp / 0.5g): Enhances flavors.
- Granulated Sugar (100g / 3.5oz): Adds sweetness.
- Dark Brown Sugar (80g / 2.8oz): Adds molasses flavor and moisture.
- Unsalted Butter (100g / 3.5oz, softened): Provides richness.
- Large Eggs (2): Binds ingredients.
- Molasses (2 tbsp / 30ml): Essential gingerbread flavor.
- Plain Yogurt (2 tbsp / 30ml): Adds moisture and tang.
- Vanilla Extract (1 tsp / 5ml): Enhances flavor.
- Cream Cheese (200g / 7oz, softened): Base for the filling.
- Powdered Sugar (80g / 2.8oz): Sweetens the filling.
- Fresh Orange Zest (2 tbsp / 30ml): Adds citrus aroma.
- Ground Cardamom (½ tsp / 1g): Complements orange.
- Orange Juice (1 tbsp / 15ml): Enhances orange flavor.
- Light Brown Sugar (150g / 5.3oz): For the glaze.
- Unsalted Butter (60g / 2.1oz): Adds richness to glaze.
- Heavy Cream (2 tbsp / 30ml): Creates a glossy glaze.
- Orange Juice (1 tbsp / 15ml): Adds citrus to glaze.
- Freshly Grated Ginger (1 tsp / 2g): Adds spice to glaze.
- Ground Cinnamon (½ tsp / 1g): Enhances glaze spice.
- Salt (pinch): Balances glaze sweetness.
- Sliced Almonds (30g / 1oz, toasted): Adds crunch.
- Extra Orange Zest: For dusting.
Instructions
- Prepare Oven & Pan: Preheat to 180°C (350°F), line a jelly-roll pan with parchment, and butter it.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
- Cream Butter & Sugars: Beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate eggs, molasses, yogurt, and vanilla.
- Combine Mixtures: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients.
- Bake Gingerbread: Spread batter evenly and bake for 12-14 minutes.
- Roll Cake: Invert onto powdered sugar-dusted towel, peel parchment, and roll tightly.
- Make Orange-Cardamom Cream: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, orange zest, cardamom, and orange juice.
- Assemble Yule Log: Unroll cake, spread cream, re-roll, and refrigerate.
- Make Ginger Glaze: Simmer sugar, butter, cream, orange juice, ginger, cinnamon, and salt.
- Glaze & Decorate: Pour glaze over log, scatter almonds, and dust with orange zest.
- Serve & Enjoy: Let glaze set before slicing.
Notes
Rolling the cake while warm is crucial to prevent cracking. Experiment with different fillings like chocolate ganache or coffee buttercream.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: yule log,gingerbread,christmas,dessert,bûche de noël,orange,cardamom,holiday,baking