DEc 22 - Winter Soltice

To celebrate the shortest day of the year people burn Yule logs - well in a city with a toddler this didn't seem the best idea so I made a Chocolate Yule log instead (and then later I will burn it off as I exercise :) ) and P helped by licking the bowl and tasting it!

Ingredients:

• 5 eggs
• 140g light muscovado sugar
• 100g self-raising flour
• 25g good quality cocoa powder 

Heat oven to fan 170C. Line the base and sides of a 30 x 35cm Swiss roll tin with baking parchment.  Separate the eggs, putting them into two large mixing bowls. Add the sugar and 2 tbsp water to the egg yolks. Using an electric mixer, whisk the sugar and yolks for about 5 mins until the mixture is light in colour and thick enough to leave a trail when the whisk blades are lifted. Sift in the flour and cocoa, then fold in lightly, using the whisk blades. Using a clean whisk, beat the egg whites until they are stiff, then fold into the cake mixture in three batches, again using the blades to preserve as much air as possible.  Pour the mixture evenly over the prepared tin, then carefully spread to the edges. Bake for 10-12 mins, or until the cake feels firm to the touch. Put a large sheet of baking parchment on the work surface and sprinkle lightly with caster sugar. Turn the cake out onto the parchment and peel off the lining paper. Cover with a clean tea towel, then leave to cool completely.
Next make the filling - I made this up as our scales are out batteries! I used a carton a double cream, icing sugar to taste and some double cream. Then whisk until stiff. Cover the cake with the cream and roll.
Then cover the whole cake with chocolate butter icing. I think one should probably dust with icing sugar to make it look festive - but sadly I have run out so it will have to wait!