Celebrate....Life!

I lined the Yule Log with Cool Whip.
Then on one half: Crushed Mint Oreos
Other half: Raspberries

Celebrations usually coincide with religious holidays, family gatherings, national events, promotions, life's milestones, safe voyages, etc.....but, sometimes it's fun to celebrate "just because".

Last night was one of those celebrations. Maybe it was a "just because" or maybe it was really because we were all together and feeling thankful. Whatever the reason, we decided on making a Yule Log or Buche de Noel. I usually make this for Christmas Eve, but this year time had gotten ahead of me and it never was made.

I share this 40 year old recipe with you in hopes that you find a reason to celebrate "just because".

3 eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup water

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cocoa(leave out to make plain Jelly Roll)

1/4 tsp salt

(powdered sugar)

Heat oven to 375*.  Spray jelly roll pan (15 x 10 x 1) with Pam and then line with wax paper. 

Beat eggs on high speed until very thick and lemon colored, about 5 minutes. Then gradually beat in sugar. Beat in water and vanilla now in low speed. Gradually add flour, baking powder, and salt and beat until batter is smooth. Pour into pan.

Beginning to roll it up.

Bake 12 - 15 minutes(Insert toothpick and see if it comes out clean). Immediately loosen cake from edges of pan; invert on clean dish towel that you generously covered with powdered sugar. Once it is on that, carefully remove wax paper.

While hot, slowly and carefully roll cake AND TOWEL from narrow end.  Cool at least 30 minutes.  Unroll carefully; remove towel. Spread with ice cream, cool whip, or jelly. Now roll up again and decorate with icing, cool whip, or simply dust with powdered sugar.

The "end" of the log.

Serves 10.  If you have filled with ice cream put in freezer.  With Cool Whip, put in freezer or refrigerator, if jelly you may leave a room temperature.

My Buche!!

 I usually cut off one of the ends and put it to the side of the "log" to really give the appearance of a "branch". Now ice it. Once iced you can also "dust" it with powdered sugar to give the appearance of fresh snow falling. 

In the past I have also made meringue "mushrooms" and put them beside the log or on top of the log to make it appear more "natural". 

Please excuse the ugly serving dish....it doesn't happen too often, but I was still looking for the dish I needed (smiles). 

My favorite filling is peppermint ice cream. But, the cool whip and mint oreos/ raspberries  we used this time were pretty awesome, I must say. 

                                               CELEBRATE "JUST BECAUSE"  and ENJOY!!