Name: Maple Walnut Bûche de Noël
Yield: Makes 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups walnuts (4 1/2 oz), toasted and cooled; 1/4 cup cake flour (not self-rising); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/3 cup plus 4 tablespoons sugar; 4 large eggs, warmed in a bowl of hot water 5 minutes and then separated; 1 1/2 tablespoons Canadian whiskey; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted and cooled; Maple meringue buttercream; Walnut brittle

Image may contain Food Confectionery Sweets and Plant

Maple Walnut Bûche de NoëlQuentin Bacon

Cakes resembling Yule logs are very popular at Christmastime in Canada and the United States. Though you'll see them in bakery windows elaborately decorated with marzipan woodland animals and meringue mushrooms, we went with a simpler but more elegant look.

Active time: 1 1/4 hr Start to finish: 3 1/2 hr (includes making buttercream and brittle)

Cooks' note:

Frosted cake (uncut and without brittle shards) can be made 3 days ahead and chilled, covered. Bring to room temperature before serving. Chill remaining buttercream, covered, then bring to room temperature before using. If buttercream seems lumpy, beat with electric mixer until smooth.

Recipe notes

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

This Is How We Roll (Bûche de Noël)
An easy way to roll a tight roulade-style cake without breaking it.

Rosemary and Dried Cherry Pork Chops

Rehydrating dried cherries in hot water turns them plump and juicy—exactly what you want scattered throughout a rosemary-scented pan sauce for pork chops.

Brussels Sprout Pasta

This brussels sprout pasta recipe taps nutty brown butter, crunchy pecans, and hot Italian sausage to create an easy dinner bursting with fall flavors.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Frijoles Peruanos (Peruvian Refried Beans)

Mayocobas, or canary beans, are the quick-cooking pantry ingredient you should know about.

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

French Silk Pie

A no-bake Oreo crust, a rich chocolate filling, and a tower of whipped cream come together in this shut-the-room-up dessert.

Recipe notes

This Is How We Roll (Bûche de Noël)