Classic Buche de Noel Recipe

This holiday favorite takes a little extra effort, but the payoff is well worth it.

You will need: 5 tablespoons butter/ 2/3 cup cake flour/ 1/3 cup cocoa powder/ 1/8 teaspoon baking soda/ 6 eggs/ 3/4 cup sugar/ 2 teaspoons vanilla. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a quarter sheet baking pan and line with parchment paper. Butter and flour parchment paper and pan, removing any excess flour. Set aside. Sift flour, cocoa and soda together and whisk to ensure that it is well combined. Set aside. Clarify butter by melting over low heat and skimming off any milk solids on the top. Pour amber liquid into a small bowl and keep warm until ready to use.

Whisk the eggs and sugar together in a large bowl over a pot of simmering water just until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is warmed.

Beat the warmed egg mixture on high speed until it is thick and has tripled in volume. Add vanilla and continue beating for another minute.