19 Days Left to bake before Christmas. "Yule Log" Cake for Christmas or New Year's Eve

Now I have to say that in my opinion, the most festive of all of the cakes at Christmas time is the Yule log. Many people do it many different ways. I don't think that there is a wrong way as long as it comes out the way that you imagined, that it tastes good and makes a good impression when you put it on the table. All of these criteria are met with this scrumptious "Yule" log. I do suggest that you get someone to bake with you on this day. Not only is it more fun, but it is easier when you have four hands instead of two when doing this recipe. Have fun. Keep on baking!
Ingredients:


For Cake:

• 1 cup - Cake Flour (sifted)
• ¼ tsp - Salt
• 1 tsp - Baking Powder
• 4 - Eggs
• 1 cup - Sugar
• ¼ cup - Water
• 1 tbsp - Lemon Juice

For Butter Cream: Filling

• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons corn syrup
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 ts salt
  
• 1 pound butter
• 1 ts pure vanilla or almond

Yule log chocolate icing

• 1/2 pound butter
  
• 3 cups 10 x sugar
• 1 ts. pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 ts salt
• 1 c powdered unsweetened cocoa
  

The traditional decoration is Mushrooms. You can make these from marzipan or me egg white meringue.

Green mint leaves and red M&Ms for decorating the top of the log
Or use your imagination and use a silk flower  or some small Novelty decorations and holly leaves.



Buttercream directions:
Put sugar, corn syrup and water in a saucepan over high heat.

Meanwhile, beat eggs and salt until fluffy.

When all of the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is boiling, pour over beaten
eggs. Cut butter into cubes. When the eggs-sugar bowl is lukewarm to the touch, slowly add butter while continuing to beat until fluffy and smooth. Flavor as desired.


Directions
Grease a jellyroll-baking sheet.
Line with parchment paper.
Grease the parchment paper.
Sift dry ingredients together.
Beat eggs at high speed about 5 to 10 minutes.
Add sugar by tablespoonfuls.
Continue beating until the butter is very thick.
Then add lemon juice and water.
Fold in dry ingredients in four stages - ¼ cup at a time.
Spread evenly on the baking sheet.
Bake at 375 oF for 15 minutes.

After it is out of the oven, let it set for a couple of minutes,then
Sift powdered sugar onto the sponge while it is still in the pan.

Turn cake out onto a clean dish towel. Remove parchment paper.

Trim edges of the sponge if they are crispy.

Roll up gently, leaving towel inside, while still warm.
Let cool. Don't roll too tight and don't squeeze it.

Now you are ready for the icing of the Yule log
Unroll cooled sponge.
Remove towel.
Spread the cake with butter cream filling.
Roll up.
Cut off at a diagonal 2" slice.This is the tree stump.

Frost the outside. This does not have to be smooth. Move your knife length wise and then with a fork make the grooves in it to lool like wood. Make a knot or two also to give it grain.

Dust the whole cake very lightly with powdered sugar to give the effect of snow.
Keep in refrigerator.
Cut with serrated knife.

I found these video clips on Ehow.com . They are very helpful. If you are like me I like to learn by seeing.  Take a look at these before you begin.

Baking the Yule Log

Baking the Yule Log Cake Dessert Recipe -- powered by eHow.com

How to roll the cake

How to Roll a Yule Log Dessert Recipe -- powered by eHow.com

Filling the log

Adding Filling to a Yule Log Dessert -- powered by eHow.com

Frosting the Yule Log

Frosting & Serving a Yule Log Dessert -- powered by eHow.com