Do you know why the French cut a log at Christmas and enjoy it immensely? The tradition of the Christmas log has its roots deep in the past and combines fire, family and happiness into one symbol
From the lit stove to the pastry table
The tradition of the Christmas log, which is called in France Yule loghas its roots deep in the past and is associated with the warmth of the family hearth. Originally, this log did not belong on the plate, but in the hearth.
On Christmas Eve, a large piece of wood was lit in the houses, ideally burning for as long as possible to protect the house from misfortune and ensure abundance for the family in the coming year. People treated it with great respect, pouring wine over the wood or hiding the ashes as protection against lightning.
If you are also attracted by others, you will find that the fire in the stove had its magical power during the holidays. Czech traditions used to be no less poetic.
When open fireplaces began to disappear from households in the 19th century, the log symbol did not disappear, but only moved to the kitchen. Clever French confectioners came up with the idea of creating a dessert that would resemble real wood in its shape and decoration.
You can see how the preparation of the dessert can look quickly in a post from the Tasty YouTube channel.
Sponge roll with the scent of chestnuts
The basis of this festive pastry is fluffy sponge rollwhich is filled with soft cream. Over time, many variations have emerged, from chocolate to fruit, but one of the most traditional versions relies on chestnut puree.
Edible chestnuts are inextricably linked to winter in France. If you want to make your baking easier, you can see how to make your log really stand out on the festive board.
Christmas diaper or bûche de Noël
What will you need for the cake? Prepare:
- 4 eggs,
- 100 g of sugar and
- 100 g plain flour.
- Beat the eggs with the sugar until light foam and carefully mix in the flour.
- Spread the dough on a sheet with baking paper and bake briefly at 180 degrees until the sponge is slightly pink.
- While it is still warm, roll it up with a towel and let it cool.
To prepare the honest cream, i.e. for the filling, you will need:
- 250 g of chestnut puree,
- 150 g of butter and
- 80 g of powdered sugar.
- Rub the butter with the sugar and gradually add the puree.
- Then roll out the sponge cake, spread it with cream and roll it again into a log shape.
- Final decoration like tree bark
The most important step is to create the appearance of real wood. Spread the surface of the roll with the remaining cream or chocolate ganachewhich you prepare from melted dark chocolate and cream.
With a regular fork, draw grooves in the cream that will resemble the rough bark of a tree. Finally, you can lightly dust the dessert with powdered sugar like fresh snow. The Christmas log will not only be a sweet spot on your table, but also a nice reminder of the tradition that celebrates the warmth of the home and the moments spent together.
