Chocolate Decadence Yule Log

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease and flour a 10-inch round cake pan.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs and vanilla, and mix until well combined.
5. In a separate bowl, sift together the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt.
6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and mix until just combined.
7. Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Allow the cake to cool completely.
10. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
11. Spread the cream mixture over the cooled cake, and roll the cake up into a log shape.
12. Dust with confectioners' sugar, and serve.

Interesting Facts

• Yule logs are traditional Christmas desserts, and have been around for centuries.
• The original Yule log was a whole log that was burned in the fireplace on Christmas Eve.
• The modern version of the Yule log is a rolled cake, usually filled with cream and frosted with chocolate.