Spectacular New Years' Dessert

Chocolate Yule Log

This fantastic dessert is my family's New Year's tradition.

We don't do the cabbage and peas thing; we have opted, instead, for a yule log. This one is chocolate sponge cake rolled with ice cream and covered in chocolate glaze. Yummy!

Even though it is spectacular looking, it is also fairly easy to make. You can also make it ahead of time so it's great for the busy holidays.

Ingredients:

Jelly Roll Cake:

4 egg yolks

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

4 egg whites

1/2 cup sugar

2/3 cup sifted cake flour (or 1 cup all purpose minus 2 Tbs.)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup cocoa

Beat egg yolks till thick and lemon-colored; gradually beat in 1/4 cup sugar; add vanilla. Beat egg whites till soft peaks form; gradually add 1/2 cup sugar and beat till stiff peaks form. Fold yolks into whites. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; fold into egg mixture.

Spread batter evenly in greased and lightly floured 15 1/2 X 10 1/2 X 1-inch jelly roll pan (or cookie sheet with sides). Bake in 375 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes.

Immediately loosen sides and turn out on towel sprinkled with sifted confectioners' sugar. Starting at narrow end, roll cake and towel together; cool on rack.

Unroll; spread with ice cream; roll back up and freeze. Cover with Chocolate Glaze.

Chocolate Glaze:

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 1-ounce square unsweetened chocolate

Dash salt

1 1/2 tablespoons butter or margarine

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Combine sugar and cornstarch; add chocolate, salt, and 1/2 cup water. Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly and chocolate melts. Remove from heat; add butter and vanilla. Stir well and frost rolled cake while glaze is hot.

Enjoy!