the most beautiful logs to feast on on New Year’s Eve

Christmas without a bûche for dessert wouldn’t really be Christmas … A cake that is emblematic of end-of-year meals, the bûche is without any context the star of Christmas tables. Ice cream, pastry or with 0 gluten, presentation of our favorite logs. Impossible not to find happiness there!

As every year, pastry chefs, big houses, palaces and big names compete in imagination so that their logs are present on our Christmas tables. To make the holidays go smoothly, we have made a selection to satisfy all gourmets and at all prices.

But before that, a little history

But where does this tradition of sticking this log-shaped dessert come from on our table? This rolled cookie, filled with cream and decorated with little elves and axes (both a little creepy) would have appeared after the war. Its log shape would come froman ancient Celtic tradition, which consisted of burning a real wooden log over several days, during the winter solstice in the hope of obtaining good crops and fending off droughts and floods. It had to be big enough to slowly burn out overnight, or even be rekindled night after night until Epiphany, 12 days later. It is even said that the ashes obtained from this log had fertilizing properties and could even protect against the evil powers of the devil!

With the appearance of city life and wood stoves, the large, bulky log was replaced by smaller ones which very quickly deserted the hearth of the fireplace to land on the table. Hollowed out, they were filled with sweets, dried fruits and sometimes even small toys. It was then that the first log-shaped cakes appeared in France, even imitating the bark.

Which log to choose?

It’s the same puzzle every time: which log to choose to finish the meal? In relief or trompe l’oeil, in disproportionate shape or simple rolled cake, exotic flavors or classic chocolate … in the windows of all the pastry chefs in France, tradition and modernity clash. But then which cake to turn to avoid making a mistake?

We can obviously trust renowned pastry chefs, those we have seen on the small screen like Cyril Lignac, Pierre Hermé or Christophe Michalack. Go with your eyes closed to the pastry chefs crowned with titles like that of Meilleur Ouvrier de France by David Wesmaël or that of Pierre-Jean Quinonero, 27, crowned French Dessert Champion. But if the reputation of the big names is the guarantee of a quality dessert, the big brands are also doing well by also offering inventive Christmas logs at low prices. With the definite advantage of being able to find them all over the country.

If this dessert comes after a stuffed turkey and a round of starters, it should be chosen light and perhaps prefer a fruity and airy version so as not to overwhelm the end of the meal. For satisfy young and old, the classic chocolate-based versions will certainly be unanimous.

At the end of the year, the trend on the log market seems to be chestnut cream associated with different fruit flavors such as blackcurrant or raspberry. But for those who would be reluctant to this taste often considered too sweet, there are frozen versions that will go away on their own!

A little advice : As most of these logs are limited edition, be sure to organize yourself in advance by ordering them.

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