Yule Log – a brief history and two cake recipes
Burning a Yule Log was originally a Viking or German custom. Yule is the name of the Winter Solstice festivals in northern Europe. In time, the custom of burning the Yule Log spread over Europe.
Traditionally, a tree was chosen in the forest and felled. The huge log would be decorated with ribbons, and dragged back home on Christmas Eve – ‘Bringing in the Yule Log’. The magical properties of the Yule Log were said to ensure good luck in the coming year to all those who helped to pull it over the rough ground.
Once the Yule Log was taken to the house, it was blessed and wine was poured over it. It was then lit with a torch made from a piece of wood left over from last year’s Yule Log.
The ashes of Yule logs were scattered on the land after The Twelve Days of Christmas to ensure fertility. The ashes were actually good for the crops because they contain a lot of ‘potash’, which helps plants flower.
The most common Yule Log these days is a chocolate covered swiss roll that makes a popular addition to the Christmas table. This log is made of a sponge roll layered with cream. The outside is covered with chocolate butter cream or chocolate icing and decorated to look like a bark-covered log.
Here is a traditional version:
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3049/yule-chocolate-log
Here is a gluten free recipe:
http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/30584/gluten-free-chocolate-log.aspx
