I would love to know which ancient Christmas wizard took a puff of Chronic and invented the bûche de Noël, the iconic dessert log that likely originated in medieval France and exploded in popularity in Europe during the Victorian era, which also tracks (that’s when folks were creative hobby-maxxing with seances and hair jewelry). Next to a lamb-shaped, coconut flake Easter cake, I can’t think of a holiday dessert that creates such a symphony of texture and flavor; the rich buttercream, fluffy sponge cake, silky ganache, and heaping servings of storybook charm make it centerpiece-worthy feat.
That doesn’t mean it has to be daunting. Here’s a shoppable checklist for the mixers, piping bags, baking sheets, and all the other tools you might need to master the trompe l’oeil delight, whether you’re baking this holiday season (or thinking of a way to up your Log Lady costume next Halloween).
The best mixers for the batter
KitchenAid’s classic stand mixer is in a league of its own when it comes to power, durability, and aesthetic chops. If you’re shopping on a more modest budget or have limited storage, Cuisinart’s handheld mixer packs nine speed settings and comes with a trusty, attachable carrying case for its attachments.
A jelly roll pan or half baking sheet
I suggest starting off by prepping the pan for your cake, which is arguably the heart of the bûche and becomes the scaffolding of its iconic rolled appearance, by lining a jelly roll pan or lipped half baking sheet with parchment paper. Take your pick from two Eater-tested choices: a durable Nordic Ware jelly roll pan, or a vibrant half-sheet pan from Great Jones.
Mixing bowls
I have a growing cabinet of what I think of as emotional support mixing/ingredient bowls of all shapes and sizes; nothing sets you up better for mastering a new recipe than having everything you need measured out and at-the-ready. Whether you’re sifting dry ingredients together for your bûche or whipping up the batter with a handheld mixer, I suggest having some ample 8-quart stainless steel mixing bowls on hand, as well as this set of nine glass mixing bowls from Duralex (which also makes durable glassware beloved by French cafes).
A sieve
A sieve can be helpful not only for incorporating the dry ingredients together for your cake batter, but dusting powdered sugar over your yule log for a whimsical finishing touch.
An offset and a rubber spatula
You’re likely going to need two kinds of spatulas for your bûche de Noël, an offset spatula (for spreading your whipped cream filling and ganache, for example), and an angled rubber spatula for folding your batter. Winco makes a sleek, durable 7.75-inch offset spatula for under $10, while Get It Right’s 11-inch spatula is a favorite for folks seeking non-toxic silicone cooking tools.
A tea or flour sack towel
Whatever you do, don’t reach for a fluffy terry cloth towel as you roll your cake; the warm slab risks sticking to anything that isn’t as smooth and untextured as a basic cotton tea towel. Also a good idea: using a flour sack towel, which is exactly what it sounds like (a thin kitchen towel made from the kinds of lint-averse, cotton cloth bags that transport flour).
Piping bags
Chances are, you’ll be piping some meringue mushrooms or poinsettia leaves as embellishments for your cake. This bundle includes a dozen different tips for achieving various effects, and 100 bags for piping your heart out.
Mushroom meringues, edible snowflakes, and more decorations
Congratulations! You’re at the incredibly satisfying finish line in which you gently drag a fork across the top of your log to mimic the texture of wood, and proceed to garnish it with edible meringues, gum paste snowflakes, and (non-edible, but still delightful) holiday leaf toppers. If making your own meringue mushrooms doesn’t appeal (though we promise, you can really do this!), store-bought is always fine:
A big, oval serving platter
Depending on whether or not you cut off a portion of the completed yule log to attach to the side (as another branch) for a peak trompe l’oeil effect, you’re going to need a big, ovular (maybe even circular) serving platter. A stainless steel platter can bring some reflective shimmer to your presentation, but there’s also a red checkered platter from MacKenzie-Childs and a tartan serving platter from Pottery Barn that feel festive and cheery.