Buzz
The classic yule log, known as bûche de Noël, is a delightful chocolate Swiss roll cake. While it’s a treat, crafting a Swiss roll can be challenging, as seen in many holiday baking competitions where even skilled bakers struggle. Instead of tackling the cake, transform simple HoHos into charming mini versions of the traditional yule log. These chocolate snack cakes come pre-filled, rolled, and coated, so all you need to do is enjoy the creative process of decorating. They’re also conveniently sized, unlike the often-daunting bûche de Noël. This project is fast, festive, and perfect for kids to join in.
Depending on your region, you’ll need a box of HoHos, Yodels, Swiss Rolls (by Little Debbie), or similar chocolate snack cakes. Pick up a spreadable adhesive like peanut butter, canned frosting, cream cheese, or melted chocolate to help decorations stick. I opted for Nutella, which worked perfectly. The rest is all about the decorations, which truly bring the yule log to life. I added tiny red berries for a festive touch, even though real logs don’t typically have them. Use red candies like Red Hots or M&Ms, or shape small pieces of Australian licorice into berry-like clusters. For a natural touch, include fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage leaves. Finish with a dusting of powdered sugar to create a snowy effect.
With a small serrated knife, carefully cut a ½-inch piece from the HoHo at a 45-degree angle. This exposes the frosting swirl and gives it a more polished appearance than a straight cut (though calling it “realistic” would be a stretch). Apply a small amount of your edible adhesive to the flat end of the cut piece and attach it to the top or side of the HoHo log, ensuring the swirl faces outward.
After assembling the log, I added extra Nutella to secure the licorice berries and placed a rosemary sprig behind them for a festive touch. A final dusting of powdered sugar completed the look. This is arguably one of the most adorable ways to transform HoHos, and their small size makes them irresistible to both kids and adults. Have fun decorating and enjoy the sweet treat that follows.
