Winter Yule Log Cake
This stunning vertical carrot cake roll is the ultimate showstopper for your Christmas table! Soft spiced layers of carrot cake are wrapped around a luscious cream filling and frosted with a silky cream cheese frosting. Its unique upright design mimics a festive tree trunk, making it as beautiful as it is delicious. A wintery delight that’s sure to impress your guests!
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 6 medium eggs
- 330 g granulated sugar
- 220 g finely grated carrot
- 180 g plain flour
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- Icing sugar, for dusting
For the filling and frosting:
- 400ml whipped cream
- 85g icing sugar
- 1sp vanilla paste
- 400g mascarpone cream
Decorations (optional) - winter berries, pinecones, meringue mushrooms, rosemary/thyme
Instructions
Prepare the cake:
1. Preheat the oven to 160°C fan. Line two 23 x 33 cm baking trays with baking paper and lightly grease with oil.
2. In a large bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until thick and pale. Gently fold in grated carrot.
3. Sift in flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix gently until just combined.
4. Divide the batter evenly between the trays, spreading it into thin layers.
5. Bake for 12–15 minutes until the top is golden and springs back when lightly touched.
Roll the cakes:
1. Turn each cake onto a tea towel dusted with icing sugar. Peel off the baking paper, trim the edges, and dust the top with more icing sugar.
2. Roll each cake tightly from the short edge along with the tea towel. Let cool completely.
Make the Mascarpone cream:
1. Whip all ingredients together until smooth and stiff peaks.
Assemble the cake:
1. Unroll one cake layer and spread mascarpone cream filling evenly over it. Re-roll and stand it upright like a tree trunk. Place on a cake board or plate vertically.
2. Unroll another layer, spread it with filling, and wrap it around the first roll. Repeat with the remaining layers to form a thick, upright roll.
3. Spread the remaining frosting over the sides, adding texture with a spatula.
4. Decorate with Winter Berries, Rosemary, Meringue Mushrooms and Pinecones (optional)
Chill for couple of hour before serving. Enjoy!