Christmas Yule Log (Bûche de Noël) -

Preheat oven to 180C ( Conventional)
Line a flat baking tray (28 x 40cm) with baking paper
In a bowl sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, add salt and mix well
In a mixing bowl place, sugar and eggs beat well until creamy and fluffy. This will take around 5-6 minutes. Do not skip this step. we want the sponge to be aerated and fluffy.
Once the mixture is creamy add oil, coffee and then fold in the dry ingredients by hand, mix well until well incorporated
Pour the mixture into the lined baking tray and spread out well. ( it needs to be flat and not too thick)
Bake in the oven for 12 minutes
Once its baked, take it out of the oven leave for 2 minutes to slightly cool down.
Place a kitchen towel on a flat table, dust the top of the kitchen towel with cocoa powder using a sieve, then place the swiss roll upside down onto the towel (the side with the baking paper should be facing upwards) Slowly remove the baking paper and dust cocoa powder onto the top of the sponge. Use the towel as a guide to roll it and leave it aside to cool down
Adding cocoa powder is essential so it doesn't stick

Heat cream in a small pan until hot and heated. Place the chopped chocolate in a small bowl. Once the cream is heated, add the cream into the chopped chocolate and mix well until chocolate is dissolved and fully incorporated. This mixture should resemble a chocolate sauce

Once the swiss roll is completely cooled down, unroll it and spread a good layer of Chocolate buttercream and roll it again and leave aside for 1 hour in the fridge until set
Place the chocolate swiss roll on top of a cake board or board of presentation
Usually, the ganache will not stick to the swiss roll due to the cocoa powder, then just use a brush and paint it on the swiss roll, this way you will have a rustic look as well. ( You can pipe, pour it, or use the back of the spoon just to apply)
use a knife to draw lines and make it more rustic.
leave it in the fridge for 1 hour, until set
once chilled and set, decorate with any decoration. Dust it with icing sugar just before serving.

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