La bûche de Noël
The bûche de Noël is the traditional desert in France to complete a meal during the festive period. Not a Christmas pudding in sight but a beautiful combination of light sponge and whipped cream (or crème patissière depending on the recipe) decorated to look like a log. In England, it is known as Yule log or Christmas log. Originally, the Yule log was an actual log especially selected to burn on the hearth on Christmas day. Although initially, the bûche de Noël was chocolate flavoured , it is now available in every imaginable flavours, ranging from chestnut, to chocolate, pistachio, berry, mocha etc… Click on raymondblanc.com/recipes/buche-de-noel-recipe/ , for Raymond Blanc's recipe with candied chestnut. A culinary challenge but well worth it !