Yuletide Cheer!

The Yule Log is a fiery tradition which began thousands of years ago in Europe, associated first with the winter solstice and then with Christmas celebrations.

In the beginning it was an entire tree, and later a large log, which was burned at holiday gatherings – both to keep people warm and because, let’s face it, we like to see stuff burn. Exactly where the tradition began is uncertain, but its importance as a merry and festive part of winter celebrations is apparent throughout several European cultures.

Early in the twentieth century, the destiny of the Yule Log took a delicious turn in France – where it became the Bûche de Noël, or Christmas Log cake. Fireplaces were becoming less and less common, so the idea of burning a substantial log at a festal gathering was getting impractical. The obvious solution to this was to bake a sponge cake, roll it up with a delicious filling, cover it with buttercream frosting and decorate it like a log – brilliant! Now revelers could have their Yule Log and eat it, too! Traditions don’t get much better than that.

Belle Pastry makes Bûche de Noël in six flavors. Give us two days’ notice and we’ll hand you thousands of years’ worth of tradition in one delicious and delightful cake. Visit our Holiday Specials page for more information.

Joyeux Noël!