A Yule Log is a great alternative to Christmas cake .
You can buy them ready made, but why not make your own ?
No bake , just decorate .
If you'd like to make your own Swiss Roll, here's how
SWISS ROLL looks great on a tea table
3 medium eggs
75g caster sugar, plus 2 tbsp extra for sprinkling
55g plain flour
20gg cocoa powder
Heat the oven to 190c
Grease and line a Swiss roll tin that measures about 25cm x 37cm
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and caster sugar with a pinch of salt for 6-7 minutes or until the mixture has become pale, thick and leaves a trail when you take the whisk out of the mix. A handheld electric whisk works best for this
Sieve the flour and cocoa over the top and use a metal spoon gently fold it in.
This takes 1 or 2 minutes to do properly – don’t rush it, you need to keep the air.
Pour the mix into the lined tin and tilt it to cover all the tin. Pop it straight into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, keeping a close eye on it.
It's ready when it is pale golden in colour, slightly risen and gently springy.
When it is cool enough to handle (after about 5 minutes), sprinkle the extra 2 tablespoons of caster sugar over another sheet of baking paper
Tip the cake onto the paper, then peel the lining paper from the cooked sponge. Carefully roll the warm sponge (starting from one of the short ends), using the new piece of paper as an aid to lift it. Leave to cool in the rolled-up position.
When cold unroll spread with jam and cream ( if using)
Then re-roll
You can buy ready-made frosting or make your own ganache or be like me and use melted chocolate
GANACHE RECIPE
250ml double cream
250g 70% dark chocolate
Heat the cream in a heavy-bottomed pan until it is warm but not boiling (you don’t want to overheat the chocolate, so be careful not to overdo it).
Remove the pan from the heat, then add the chocolate to the pan with the cream and leave to melt for a while, then beat with a wooden spoon.
At first, it will look like it won’t go smooth, but it will. Leave to cool and set.
You can also chill it, but take it out of the fridge before attempting to spread it
Serve this on Christmas day tea for a treat everyone will love
