This is my attempt at a Christmas Yule Log. I saw some being made on a cooking competition last Christmas and was anxious to try an eggless version! My first couple of tries last year flopped. This past year I discovered the vegan world was using aquafaba, aka bean juice, for egg replacement and since then I have made meringues with it. https://myegglessworld.com/2016/11/21/meringue-cookies/.  To make a traditional sponge for a yule log, it requires beaten egg whites so I was hoping the aquafaba would work. My theory was correct and this recipe turned out great!

Sponge

Sift together dry ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 and 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder

In a large mixing bowl, beat together until frothy and opaque but not glossy:

• 1 and 1/3 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup aquafaba (juice from unsalted canned white beans or chick peas) whipped with the sugar until frothy and slightly thickened

It will look like this:

Then fold in the dry ingredients into the aquafaba mixture until incorporated.

Then, mix in:

• 1/2 cup plain unsweetened yogurt

 

When the yogurt is mixed in thoroughly, the sponge mixture will still be thick. Scoop out onto a parchment-lined 12 by 17 inch jelly roll pan. Dip a large spreader in a class of hot water and patiently spread the cake, dipping the spreader in the hot water as needed until the batter is evenly spread.

It will look like this when spread:

Bake 13-15 minutes at 350 F degrees. Let cool in pan for 2 minutes. Sprinkle the top lightly with sugar and flip onto another pan lined with parchment paper. Cover with a clean towel and let cool for another 2 minutes. Trim the edges  and roll up into the parchment paper while still very warm. Let cool while rolled up.

Filling

Whip together:

• 2 cups whipping cream
• 4 tbsp icing sugar

You want the cream to be fairly beaten but not butter. Too runny and it will not hold up inside the roll. Carefully unroll the cooled sponge and fill with the cream and gently roll back up. Refrigerate for half an hour.

Whipped ganache

In a small saucepan heat until simmering:

• 1 and 1/4 cups heavy cream

Remove form heat and whisk in:

• 1 and 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Chill in the fridge until cold. Then whip until a frosting-like consistency.

To assemble: Cut a section of the filled yule log on an angle and position on the side of the main log. Frost with the whipped ganache. Run a fork through the ganache and sprinkle with icing sugar.