Rafaello-style Christmas Yule Log with salted butter caramel and coconut

Ingredients

• 120 ml Whole milk (Fresh, at room temperature)
• 80 ml Vegetable oil (sunflower) (Do not use flavored oil)
• 5 ml Liquid vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
• 5 Eggs (Separate whites from yolks, keep both parts)
• 150 g Granulated sugar (Divided: 100 g for the whites, 50 g for the yolks)
• 120 g All‑purpose flour (Sift with the leavening)
• 5 g Baking powder (About 1 teaspoon)
• 200 g Salted butter caramel (Prefer a ready‑made caramel or make it at home)
• 300 ml Very cold whole liquid cream (At least 30 % fat)
• 250 g Mascarpone (At room temperature)
• 250 g Unsweetened shredded coconut (150 g in the cream + 100 g for coating)
• 12 Rafaello (candy) (Break into pieces for decoration)
• 30 g Toasted sliced almonds (Optional, for decoration)

Instructions

1. Prepare the milk‑oil‑vanilla emulsion

   In a small bowl, mix the milk, vegetable oil and vanilla extract until you obtain a homogeneous liquid. Set aside.

   Time: PT5M

2. Separate egg whites and yolks

   Separate the whites from the yolks into two separate bowls. Keep both parts, they will both be used.

   Time: PT2M

3. Whisk the whites to stiff peaks

   With the electric whisk, beat the whites on medium then high speed until they form stiff peaks.

   Time: PT10M

4. Incorporate sugar into the whites (bird’s beak)

   When the whites are foamy, gradually add 100 g of granulated sugar while continuing to whisk until you obtain the “bird’s beak” (a peak that bends slightly).

   Time: PT5M

5. Whisk the yolks with the remaining sugar

   In the small bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the 50 g of sugar until the mixture triples in volume and becomes pale.

   Time: PT5M

6. Fold the yolks into the whites

   Add the yolk mixture to the whites in three additions, lifting the mass with the spatula to avoid breaking the air bubbles.

   Time: PT5M

7. Sift flour and leavening, incorporate

   Sift the flour and baking powder directly over the mixture, then gently fold with the spatula until no flour traces remain.

   Time: PT5M

8. Add the milk‑oil‑vanilla emulsion

   Pour the reserved emulsion into the batter and mix gently until you obtain a homogeneous batter.

   Time: PT5M

9. Bake the biscuit

   Spread the batter on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper (or in the silicone mold) in an even layer. Bake for 15 minutes at 180°C.

   Time: PT15M

   Temperature: 180°C

10. Cool and roll the biscuit

    Let the biscuit cool for 10 minutes, place it on a sheet of parchment paper, tap it lightly to release air bubbles, then roll it gently on the paper. Let the roll cool completely.

    Time: PT10M

11. Prepare the coconut cream

    Whisk the very cold liquid cream until thickened (soft‑peak stage). Add the mascarpone and whisk again until you obtain a smooth cream. Incorporate 150 g of shredded coconut.

    Time: PT10M

12. Spread the caramel

    On the unfolded biscuit, spread the salted butter caramel evenly using a spatula.

    Time: PT2M

13. Spread the coconut cream and roll the log

    Spread two thirds of the coconut cream over the caramel, leaving a quarter of the cream aside for finishing. Roll the log tightly, wrap in parchment paper and place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to set.

    Time: PT5M

14. Decorate the log

    Remove the log from the refrigerator, discard the paper. Cover the surface with the remaining coconut cream, smooth with an offset spatula. Fully coat the sides with shredded coconut. Arrange the Rafaello pieces and toasted almonds on top. Using a piping bag, pipe small touches of cream in a Saint‑Honoré shape on top to prevent the cream from sliding.

    Time: PT10M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

550

Protein

6 g

Carbohydrates

55 g

Fat

35 g

Fiber

2 g

Ingredient Substitutions

• Instead of Whole milk: Semi‑skimmed milk
• Instead of Vegetable oil (sunflower): Canola oil
• Instead of Liquid vanilla extract: Scraped vanilla bean
• Instead of Granulated sugar: Cane sugar
• Instead of All‑purpose flour: T55 wheat flour
• Instead of Baking powder: Leavening powder
• Instead of Salted butter caramel: Unsalted butter caramel
• Instead of Very cold whole liquid cream: Heavy cream
• Instead of Mascarpone: Cream cheese
• Instead of Unsweetened shredded coconut: Coconut flakes
• Instead of Rafaello (candy): Coconut candies
• Instead of Toasted sliced almonds: Crushed hazelnuts

Equipment Needed

• 3 mixing bowls (one large, one medium, one small)
• Electric whisk or stand mixer
• Silicone spatula
• Sieve or fine mesh strainer
• Baking sheet or 30 × 40 cm silicone sponge cake mold
• Parchment paper
• Rolling pin
• Cooling rack
• Piping bag with Saint‑Honoré tip (optional)
• Offset spatula
• Kitchen scale
• Chef’s knife
• Refrigerator

Critical Steps — Do Not Skip

• Stop whisking the whites as soon as the bird’s beak forms (step 4)
• Do not overbake the biscuit (step 9)
• Roll the biscuit while it is still slightly warm (step 10)
• Observe the chilling time of at least 1 hour (step 13)

Chef Tips from the Video

• Use a piping bag with a wide tip to spread the caramel evenly
• Lightly dust the surface of the log with powdered sugar before serving for a snowy effect
• For a more intense flavor, add a pinch of fleur de sel to the caramel.

Troubleshooting

Storage

Refrigerator: Store the log wrapped in cling film: up to 3 days maximum.

Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze: up to 1 month. Defrost in the refrigerator 12 h before serving.

Room temperature: Consume the same day, otherwise the cream and caramel may soften.

Make-Ahead Tips

• The biscuit can be prepared 1 day ahead and kept refrigerated under cling film
• Salted butter caramel keeps for 2 weeks in the refrigerator
• Assemble the log the day before, but add the Rafaello pieces only 30 minutes before serving so they stay crunchy