Gingerbread yule log recipe (2024)

Vegan, quick & easy.

Even though it’s only October, I am already starting to see advent calenders in the supermarkets, Christmas recipes on social media and presents in the shops. I wanted to create a delicious gingerbread recipe, as gingerbread is one of my favourite festive flavours.

Gingerbread yule log recipe (1)

This is a gingerbread sponge with a ginger & cinnamon buttercream filling, coated in a dairy-free white chocolate ganache, dusted in ground ginger and snow (Icing sugar).

I also made some of my mini gingerbread men to go alongside this delicious yule log.

Get the gingerbread men recipe here.

The sponge is super quick & easy to make and is light, full of spice flavour and bakes within 20 minutes!!!Gingerbread yule log recipe (2)Gingerbread yule log recipe (3)Gingerbread yule log recipe (4)

This cake looks absolutely stunning, tastes exquisite and is perfect for sharing.

The roll itself is perfectly moist and light with a creamy filling, just how you want a yule log!

It’s packed full of moorish, spicy flavour, you’ll want another slice of cake…I’m sure!

To view a step-by-step guide of the recipe (including photos), how to roll the sponge etc… check out my previous yule log recipe here.

Preparation:10 minutes

Baking time:18-20 minutes

Serves:8-10

Level:Medium

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Ingredients for the sponge

-240ml of dairy-free milk (I use unsweetened almond milk)

-1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar

-210g of self-raising flour

-100g of golden caster sugar

-1 teaspoon of ground ginger

-1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

-1/2 teaspoon of baking powder

-1/2 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda

-60g of coconut oil (Melted)

Ingredients for the filling

-100g of dairy-free butter

-160g of icing sugar

-1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

-1 teaspoon of ground ginger

-1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

-1 teaspoon of dairy-free milk (optional)

Ingredients for the chocolate ganache (coating)

-50g of dairy-free white chocolate (melted & cooled)

-100g of dairy-free butter

-115g of icing sugar

-1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract

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Method (sponge)

Step 1- Preheat your oven to 180 degrees c and line a large baking tray with greaseproof paper.

Step 2- In a small bowl, combine the almond milk with the apple cider vinegar and whisk until fully combined.

Set aside for 10 minutes to curdle. This creates a vegan ‘buttermilk’.

Step 3- In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, sugar, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda.

Mix well to combine.

Step 4- Add the melted coconut oil to the ‘buttermilk’ and whisk to combine.

Step 5- Add the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until a smooth batter.

Step 6- Pour into the lined tray and level with an offset spatula, making sure to spread it in-to the corners.

Tap the tray on the worktop to remove any air bubbles.

Step 7- Pop the tray into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes.

You will know its done when you put a knife or skewer in and it comes out clean and it is springy to the touch.

Step 8- Lay a large piece of greasepaper on your work surface, sprinkle over icing sugar and invert the sponge onto the paper, peel away the original baking paper.

Step 9- Trim the edges of the sponge with a sharp knife.

Step 10- Roll up (from the longer edge) using the paper, rolling it up with the paper inside. Set aside to cool.

Rolling it up with the paper inside helps the cake not to stick to itself.

Set aside.

Method (filling)

Step 1- Cream the butter in a bowl, on a high speed until creamy. I use my stand mixer with the balloon whisk attachment.

Step 2- When your butter/margarine is creamy & light in colour, add in the icing sugar, vanilla extract, ground ginger and ground cinnamon,

Whizz together until fluffy & fully combined.

Add a splash of milk if the buttercream is too thick.

Step 3- Once the sponge is cool, unroll the sponge and spread a thin layer of the filling then re-roll tightly without the paper inside.

Pop into the fridge while you make the ganache (coating).

Method (ganache)

Step 1- Melt the dairy-free white chocolate, then set aside to cool.

Step 2- Cream the butter in a bowl, on a high speed until creamy. I use my stand mixer with the balloon whisk attachment.

Step 3- When your butter/margarine is creamy & light in colour, add in the icing sugar, vanilla extract & melted white chocolate.

Whizz together until fluffy & fully combined.

Add a splash of milk if the buttercream is too thick.

Step 4- Transfer the yule log onto a serving plate or tray and using a offset spatula or knife, spread the ganache all over the yule log.

I used my spatula to create bark texture by creating lines. It looks really realistic and effective.

I decorated my yule log with a sprinkling of snow (icing sugar), ground ginger, homemade white chocolate trees (which I made tempering some white chocolate and piping them onto greaseproof paper), and added on some homemade gingerbread cookies decorated with vegan royal icing- Get my recipe here.

Go all out and serve with some sparklers for a special occasion!

Store in a sealed container in the fridge and best eaten within a few days.

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Make sure you follow me on my social media

My Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/thelittleblogofvegan/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/littleblogofvegan/

Twitter- https://twitter.com/BlogofVegan

Gingerbread yule log recipe (5)

Gingerbread yule log recipe (6)

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You may also enjoy:

  • Vegan Chocolate Ombré Mousse Cake

  • Vegan Gingerbread Cake

  • Vegan Wreath Cookies

  • Vegan Lemon Sheet Cake

Gingerbread yule log recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the pagan tradition of the yule log? ›

Origins of Yule log tradition

The burning of a special log in a fireplace for luck and fortune has been a holiday tradition long before the arrival of Christianity in Europe. As are most holiday traditions, the origins of the Yule log are believed to have stemmed from Germanic or Scandinavian paganism.

What kind of wood is used for Yule logs? ›

In England, Oak is traditional; in Scotland, it is Birch; while in France, it's Cherry. Also, in France, the log is sprinkled with wine, before it is burnt, so that it smells nice when it is lit.

What day do you burn the yule log? ›

Just before supper on Christmas Eve (where furmety is eaten), while the Yule log is burning, all other lights are put out, and the candles are lit from the Yule log by the youngest person present. While they are lit, all are silent and wish.

What does yule log symbolize? ›

Embracing Tradition: The Story Behind the Yule Log. rce of warmth; it was a symbol of hope, renewal, and the turning of the seasons. In the heart of medieval Europe, the Yule log played a role in both pagan and Christian beliefs.

What are the 12 days of Yule pagan? ›

Gradually Yuletide was extended to span a full 12 days and nights, blending several other traditions. The 12 days between the winter solstice and the beginning of the next solar year were considered a sacred period, belonging neither to the old year nor the new year.

What do pagans put on top of Yule tree? ›

Eight Things to Hang on a Pagan Holiday Tree
  1. of 08. Yule Ornaments. Inscribe ornaments with symbols, or decorate with icing before you hang them on your tree. ...
  2. of 08. Herbal Sachets. ...
  3. of 08. Suns and Solar Symbols. ...
  4. of 08. Lots of Lights. ...
  5. of 08. Magical Items. ...
  6. of 08. Fertility Symbols. ...
  7. of 08. Gods' Eyes. ...
  8. of 08. Natural Items.
Jun 25, 2019

What is a bakery Yule log? ›

The Yule log cake is a rolled Genoise sponge cake, filled with buttercream and decorated with chocolate frosting or ganache, which is combed with a fork to create a bark-like texture.

What is a modern Yule log? ›

It is thought that the original Yule log was a large log that burned throughout the entire multiday festival, for as many as 12 days. A popular modern take on the Yule log is a roulade-style cake decorated to look like a log.

What nationality is a Yule log? ›

Edible Yule Logs are thought to be the invention of the French, where the cake is known as Buche de Noel. Our bakers will have their own versions of the Yule Log. Place your orders now, to avoid disappointment. Check out our list of bakers here.

Do Aldi sell Yule logs? ›

Specially Selected Hand Finished Belgian Chocolate Yule Log 815g | ALDI.

What should I put on my Yule log? ›

You can use natural materials such as pinecones, holly, or evergreen branches to decorate your log. You can also add ribbons, beads, or other decorations that have personal significance to you. As you decorate your log, think about what you want to manifest in the coming year.

Why is it called Yule? ›

Yule comes ultimately from an Old English word geōl. The Old English word, and its etymological cousin from Old Norse (jōl) were both likely used to refer to a midwinter pagan festival that took place in December.

Is Swiss roll a Yule log? ›

I usually associate a Yule Log with being chocolate or devil's food cake with a cream based filling and decorated to look like a log (with chocolate icing). A Swiss Roll can have any flvor sponge cake and often has fruit or jam in the filling.

What is the difference between Yule and Christmas? ›

Yule: Yule is a pagan festival with no specific religious ties to Christianity. It often involved various nature-based rituals and celebrations to mark the changing of seasons. Christmas: Christmas is a Christian holiday that holds religious significance for Christians.

What is the Yule log burning ritual? ›

During the blessing of the log, wine is poured on the fire to ward off spirits and to protect the house from “ghosties and ghaisties and things that go boomp in the night.” Then each guest throws their sprig into the fire to symbolize the banishing of last year's woes.

How do you celebrate Yule as a pagan? ›

Here are some customary ways to celebrate the solstice—you might notice that some resemble beloved Christmas traditions.
  1. Build a Yule Altar. ...
  2. Make an Evergreen Yule Wreath. ...
  3. Burn a Yule Log. ...
  4. Decorate a Yule Tree. ...
  5. Exchange Nature-Based Gifts. ...
  6. Give Back to Nature. ...
  7. Celebrate in Candlelight. ...
  8. Set up a Meditation Space.
Dec 19, 2023

What are the pagan candles for the Yule log? ›

Basically, pagan 'Yule' celebrations were all about fire – bonfires, burning logs. This celebration was calling light back into the world, during these really short, dark days. The Yule Candle was later co-opted and repurposed for Christian celebrations as a symbol of Christ, the 'light of the world.

In which culture did the Yule Log tradition originate? ›

While the French bûche de Noël is a yule-log-shaped Christmas cake now commonly found on holiday tables across the United States, the origins of the yule log tradition go back centuries to Scandinavia.

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