Tasty Tiramisu Yule Log Cake
A Festive, Elegant Dessert with Soft Espresso-Kissed Swirls
There are desserts that are pretty, some that are delicious, and then there are desserts that make everyone at the table fall silent for a moment — because they are simply unforgettable. The Tiramisu Yule Log Cake falls into that last category.
This cake is not just a dessert — it’s an experience. A celebration of texture, aroma, and flavor. A soft, airy sponge rolled with silky mascarpone cream, kissed with espresso and cocoa, and dusted like a snowy December evening. It’s the holiday spirit, but in a way that feels refined, romantic, and deeply comforting.
A cake with European elegance, but made to be surprisingly simple. Even if you’ve never rolled a cake before, this one guides you gently. The sponge is flexible, the cream forgiving, the flavors balanced and soothing.
This is not the dense, ultra-sweet Yule logs of old-fashioned holiday tables.
This is the Italian holiday dream — light, creamy, and utterly swoon-worthy.
Why This Cake Works So Beautifully
The magic of a tiramisu-style Yule log comes down to three main elements:
1. The Sponge
Soft, delicate, and flexible — almost cloudlike.
It absorbs espresso lightly, never turning soggy.
2. The Mascarpone Cream
Whipped into a silky mousse — barely sweet, beautifully airy.
It melts on your tongue.
3. The Cocoa & Espresso Finish
Cocoa dusting + light espresso brushing gives the cake that classic tiramisu depth.
Every bite is balanced: creamy, airy, sweet, bitter, and aromatic.
This cake doesn’t overwhelm you.
It invites you.
Ingredients
For the Sponge Cake
- Eggs
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Cake flour (or sifted all-purpose flour)
- Salt
For the Espresso Mascarpone Filling
- Mascarpone cheese
- Heavy whipping cream
- Powdered sugar
- Espresso (freshly brewed and cooled)
- Vanilla extract
For Assembly & Finish
- Cocoa powder
- Chocolate curls or grated chocolate (optional)
- Powdered sugar to dust (optional)
Instructions
Make the Sponge Cake
- Preheat your oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Whip eggs and sugar together until very pale and tripled in volume.
- Gently fold in flour and salt to keep the batter airy.
- Spread evenly into your prepared pan and bake until just springy.
- While still warm, roll the sponge carefully in parchment or a clean towel.
This trains it to roll without cracking later.
Prepare the Mascarpone Cream Filling
- Whip together mascarpone, cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a spoonful of cooled espresso until thick, smooth, and silky.
Assemble the Yule Log
- Unroll the cooled sponge.
- Brush lightly with espresso — don’t soak.
- Spread mascarpone filling evenly across the surface.
- Roll the cake gently back into a log shape.
- Dust with cocoa powder and decorate with chocolate curls.
Rest Time
- Chill for at least 1 hour before slicing for clean, beautiful swirls.
The Heart of the Cake: The Emotion Behind It
This cake carries a story — one of gatherings, warmth, flickering lights, and hushed laughter around a holiday table. It’s a dessert that feels like a memory, even the first time you taste it.
The moment you slice through the log and reveal the swirl, you get a quiet moment of admiration — not just from others, but from yourself.
You made something beautiful.
Serving Ideas
- Serve with tiny espresso cups for the full Italian experience.
- Add sugared cranberries for a festive contrast.
- Plate slices on simple white dishes to highlight the swirl.
Storage
- Keeps beautifully for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- Best eaten chilled or slightly cool.
Flavor Customization Variations
| Variation | Add | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate Lovers | Add melted dark chocolate to the filling | Richer swirl with deeper flavor |
| Hazelnut Dream | Fold crushed hazelnuts into the filling | Nutty Italian Ferrero vibes |
| Orange Mocha | Add orange zest & espresso syrup | Bright, citrus-scented elegance |
| Almond Holiday | Brush syrup made with almond extract | Warm bakery nostalgia |
Final Thoughts
This Tiramisu Yule Log Cake isn’t just festive — it’s a celebration of subtlety and softness. It’s a dessert that invites people to slow down, breathe in the aroma of espresso, and enjoy something made with intention.
It is refined holiday comfort.
And now — it’s yours to make.
Tiramisu Yule Log Cake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
- Beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla until very pale and tripled in volume.
- Sift in flour and salt, folding gently to maintain airiness.
- Spread batter evenly in pan and bake for 8-10 minutes, until springy.
- Roll warm cake in parchment or a clean towel and allow to cool.
- Whip mascarpone, cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and espresso until thick and silky.
- Unroll cake and brush lightly with espresso.
- Spread mascarpone filling evenly across cake.
- Re-roll cake gently into log shape.
- Dust with cocoa powder and garnish with chocolate curls if desired.
- Chill at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.
