Butterscotch yule log: A retro Christmas dessert recipe from the 60s - Click Americana (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of the Yule log dessert? ›

The Yule log was originally part of Celtic culture. During the Winter Solstice – the shortest day of the year – the Celts would keep a wooden log burning throughout the night to celebrate the rebirth of the sun. The first rolled, log-shaped cakes appeared in France in the late 19^th century.

The most common combination is basic yellow sponge cake and chocolate buttercream, though many variations that include chocolate cake, ganache, and icings flavored with espresso or liqueurs exist.

Yule log cake, or bûche de Noël, is a Christmas cake with a ritualistic past. Cleverly shaped and decorated to look like a 3-D log, the cake represents a melding of ancient midwinter traditions: one that celebrated the end of winter, and another honoring the Norse god Thor.

As a dessert, the bûche de Noël has a relatively short history, but its namesake dates back much further. The original yule log was just that — a large, heavy piece of wood that was burned during the festive season. It was lit on Christmas Eve and rekindled each day until Twelfth Night was reached.

Traditional Yule Log Recipe

Made from a heavenly mix of light chocolate sponge, filled with chocolate cream and covered with a thick coating of chocolate buttercream icing, especially scrolled to resemble the patterns of tree bark, then often dusted with icing sugar for a snowy effect.

The Yule log, Yule clog, or Christmas block is a specially selected log burnt on a hearth as a winter tradition in regions of Europe, and subsequently North America.

A Log of Symbolism and Belief

Celts believed that as the sun seemingly stood still during the twelve days at the end of December, keeping the Yule log aflame would persuade the sun to move again, lengthening the days and heralding the return of spring.

​The ancient Irish version of the Yule log (or “Bloc na Nollaig”) tradition took a more literal form: it was originally an entire tree chopped down, trimmed into a log, and brought into the house. But these weren't what we think of as Christmas trees!

Pagan and Medieval Origins: The Yule log cake's history is closely tied to the tradition of burning an actual Yule log during the winter solstice, which was a pagan practice in many European cultures. The Yule log symbolized the year's turning point, with the sun's return and longer days.

The lighting of the Yule log was used to symbolize the birth of Jesus by some while others claimed it symbolized Jesus's triumph over sin. Today the burning of the Yule log is seen more as a secular holiday tradition though it is still performed by those of Christian and pagan beliefs alike during the holidays.

What are some fun facts about the Yule log? ›

Interestingly, the Yule log was originally an entire tree! Families would bring the trunk of the Yule tree inside and stick the big end of it into the fireplace. The log would feed the fire through the 12 Days of Christmas (from Christmas Day through the evening of the 5th of January—known as Twelfth Night).

What is a 'Bûche de Noël', commonly eaten in France at Christmas? It is a sheet cake that is rolled up into a cylinder with icing inside. Then it is decorated like a log (buche), and eaten as a dessert. Sometimes it has little candy Christmas figures on it, like deer or elves.

Bûche de Noël 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 and decorated with confectioners' sugar to resemble snow on a yule log.

The Celts believed the sun stood still during the winter solstice. They thought by keeping the Yule log burning for these 12 days encouraged the sun to move, making the days longer.

Norse celebrations of Yule included evergreen trees, particularly fir trees, to symbolize the perseverance of life through winter. Germanic tribes utilized evergreen branches and trees for decoration, viewing them as protective symbols against malevolent spirits during the harsh winter months.