Easy Christmas Yule Log

This fuss-free Christmas dessert is the perfect last-minute addition to your festive feast.

Note: Prep time includes 45 minutes for marinating.

Yield: Serves 12
Prep Time: 65 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Difficulty Level: 2/5

Ingredients

• 300ml tub thickened cream
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 400g chocolate sponge roll
• 2 tbsps cherry liqueur
• 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted, halved
• 5 x 30g flake bars, broken into large shards
• milk bottle lollies, marshmallows, red cachous, melted white chocolate, for "mushrooms"
• combined cocoa and icing sugar, to dust

Ganache

• ⅔ cup thickened cream
• 200 g dark chocolate, finely chopped

Steps

01. In a bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream and vanilla until firm peaks form.

02. Unroll sponge roll on baking paper (roll may crack slightly). Drizzle with cherry liqueur. Spread over cream mixture. Sprinkle with cherries. Roll up to enclose the cream filling, using baking paper to help guide cake if needed. Chill for 30 minutes until firm.

03. Meanwhile, to make ganache; in small saucepan, bring cream to just below boiling. Pour over chocolate in heatproof bowl. Wait for 2 minutes and stir until smooth. Chill for 15 minutes to thicken slightly.

04. Spread ganache over roll. Press on flake shards. Attach marshmallows to milk bottle lollies with melted white chocolate, press on red cachous and dust log and mushrooms with combined cocoa and icing sugar.

Tip: For a special festive touch, dust with edible glitter before serving.Recipe and photo: bauersyndication.com.au