Forget any ideas you have about the classic edible Yule log. This recipe by a longtime GFF fan, 18-year-old San Franciscan Kelsey Puknys, beats them all. And it’s gluten free and dairy free and incredibly easy to make. If you’re looking for happy holidays, start with this gluten free dairy free buche de noel.
5 from 8 votes
Gluten-Free / Dairy-Free Buche de Noel Recipe
Light, fluffy, and irresistible are just a few words that describe this spectacular GF/DF yule log cake with barely sweet DF chocolate frosting. Better still, it’s super-easy to make, so don’t hesitate to get your holiday baking on! Note: the frosting recipe calls for overnight refrigeration of coconut milk, so plan accordingly, or use your frosting of choice. Also, be sure to chill the coconut frosting before use to help it hold its structure. Finally, if the thicker cream of the coconut milk didn't rise to the top and harden in the can with refrigeration, you can try to salvage it by adding 1 to 4 tablespoons tapioca flour when whipping.
Servings 8
Calories 356 kcal
Author Kelsey Puknys
Ingredients
FOR THE CAKE:
- 6eggs
- 3/4cupgranulated sugardivided
- 1/3 cup cacao powder
- 2teaspoonspure vanilla extract
- 1/4teaspoonkosher salt
- 1/4cuppowdered sugarfor dusting
FOR THE FROSTING:
- 2(13.5-ounce cans) full-fat coconut milk, refrigerated overnight
- 1/4cuppowdered sugarsifted
- 1/4cupcacao powdersifted
- 1teaspoonpure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
FOR DECORATION (OPTIONAL):
- 3rosemary sprigs
- 3red cranberriesor red gumballs or other round red candies
- Sugar
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line the bottom of a large (about 12- by 15-inch) rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Make the cake: Separate the egg yolks from the whites; reserve both separately. With an electric beater, or by hand, combine the yolks with 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar and beat until thick and pale. Mix in the cacao powder, vanilla, and salt to combine
In the large, clean bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or by hand, whip the egg whites on medium-high until they form soft peaks. Gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and whip until stiff peaks form.
Gently fold the egg whites into the yolk mixture, then spread the batter evenly onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake until cake begins to pull away from the sides of the pan and the top is dry, spongy, and springs back when gently pressed, 12 to 15 minutes.
Dust a clean (non-terrycloth) dishtowel with the powdered sugar. Run a knife around the edges of the warm cake to loosen it from the pan, then turn the cake out onto the towel. Gently peel off and discard the parchment paper. (This can be tricky, as the cake is sticky, so go slow and steady and help the cake along with your fingers, if needed; don’t worry if a thin layer of cake sticks to the paper here and there. The frosting will cover any imperfections.) Roll up the cake, along with the towel, from the short end. Set the towel and cake roll on a wire rack for 30 minutes to cool.
Make the frosting: Carefully open the coconut-milk cans. Scoop out only the firm, waxy solids at the top of each can and place them in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (discard the remaining liquid or reserve for another use). Beat on medium speed for 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat on medium-high until the cream forms stiff peaks, about 3 minutes. Add the powdered sugar, cacao powder, vanilla, and salt. Mix slowly to incorporate, then beat on high speed until fluffy and completely combined. Keep refrigerated until use.
Unroll the cake. Using a spatula, spread 2/3 of the chilled frosting in a thin layer on the cake, leaving a 1-inch border on all sides. Roll the cake into a log again, this time without the dish towel, so the frosting is inside the log.
Gently transfer the cake to a serving platter seam side down, then use the remaining frosting to frost the outside of the log. Gently run a fork through the frosting to create a log-like texture. Cut off the ends of the log for a clean look.
Rinse the rosemary and cranberries to moisten. Sprinkle with sugar. Let dry. Then use to decorate the cake. Keep cake refrigerated until serving to keep the frosting firm.
Nutrition Facts
Gluten-Free / Dairy-Free Buche de Noel Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 356Calories from Fat 216
% Daily Value*
Fat 24g37%
Saturated Fat 20g125%
Cholesterol 123mg41%
Sodium 134mg6%
Potassium 351mg10%
Carbohydrates 33g11%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 26g29%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 178IU4%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 44mg4%
Iron 5mg28%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Photography Erin Ng
