Intensely Vanilla Yule Log Cake: A Luxurious and Flavorful Holiday Centerpiece

This Intensely Vanilla Yule Log Cake is the ultimate dessert for vanilla lovers, showcasing the rich, aromatic depth of vanilla in multiple layers and textures. It features a luscious vanilla-flavored whipped ganache, a velvety vanilla crémeux, and a nutty almond biscuit, all complemented by a crunchy praline layer. This decadent creation is designed to be a show-stopping centerpiece for your holiday celebrations.

Why You’ll Love This: The combination of smooth, creamy textures with the crunch of almond and hazelnut praline offers a sensory delight. The vanilla flavor is elevated by using real vanilla beans, providing an authentic and intense vanilla experience that permeates every layer of this exquisite cake. It’s not just a dessert; it’s an indulgent experience that celebrates the beloved flavor of vanilla in all its glory.

Perfect Occasion: This Yule Log is perfect for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or any festive winter gathering. It’s designed to impress, making it an ideal choice for holiday parties where you want to leave a lasting impression on your guests with something truly special and delicious.

Decoration Tips: For a stunning presentation, pipe the whipped vanilla ganache using a Saint-Honoré tip to create elegant swirls and rosettes that cover the yule log beautifully. Decorate with silver dragées, edible gold leaf, or sprinkle with vanilla-flavored sugar for a sparkling effect. Fresh berries or mint leaves can also add a pop of color and freshness that contrasts beautifully with the creamy white of the ganache.

• Ingredients:
  • Vanilla Whipped Ganache:
    • 800g heavy cream
    • 2 plump vanilla beans
    • 6.5g gelatin powder
    • 39g water
    • 180g white chocolate
  • Vanilla Crémeux:
    • 232g heavy cream
    • 2 vanilla beans
    • 67g egg yolks
    • 35g sugar
    • 16g gelatin mass
  • Almond Biscuit:
    • 92g almond powder
    • 77g cassonade (brown sugar)
    • 102g + 25g egg whites
    • 31g egg yolks
    • 1g salt
    • 17g granulated sugar
    • 44g flour
    • 2.5g baking powder
    • 2.5g vanilla powder
    • 60g chopped almonds
  • Crunchy Almond Hazelnut Praline:
    • 120g almond hazelnut praline
    • 30g dark chocolate
    • 60g gavottes

Instructions:

1. Prepare Vanilla Ganache:
   • Bloom gelatin in water. Heat cream with scraped vanilla beans to a boil. Pour over white chocolate, add melted gelatin, blend until smooth. Chill overnight.
2. Make Vanilla Crémeux:
   • Cook cream, vanilla, egg yolks, and sugar into a custard. Add gelatin, blend, and chill overnight.
3. Bake Almond Biscuit:
   • Whip almond powder, sugar, 25g egg whites, egg yolks, and salt. In another bowl, beat 102g egg whites with sugar. Fold into almond mixture, add flour, baking powder, and vanilla. Spread, sprinkle with almonds, bake at 356°F (180°C) for 20 mins.
4. Prepare Crunchy Praline:
   • Melt chocolate, mix with praline, crumble in gavottes.
5. Assemble:
   • Layer half whipped ganache, crémeux, praline, more ganache in the mold. Top with almond biscuit spread with crunchy praline. Freeze overnight.
6. Finish and Decorate:
   • Unmold, pipe remaining whipped ganache, and decorate as desired.

Enjoy this Intensely Vanilla Yule Log Cake as the centerpiece of your festive table, where it promises to captivate and delight with its rich flavors and elegant presentation.