Sweets and desserts

Portuguese Yule log (Tronco de Natal)

Festive roulade with cream and chocolate topping, served as a Christmas log.

Region / occasionNational / Christmas
DifficultyMedium
Total time1 hour
Yield10 slices
Photo of Tronco de Natal português - traditional Portuguese sweet
Photo of the traditional Portuguese recipe.

Editorial content from Empório Portugal. Traditional recipes may vary by region, family and cook.

About the recipe

The Yule log became part of Portuguese Christmas tables as a striking festive dessert of remarkable presentation.

The editorial version of Empório Portugal uses light dough, creamy filling and chocolate coating without exaggeration.

Ingredients

  • 5 eggs
  • 150 g sugar
  • 130 g flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 300 g of chocolate cream
  • 200 ml whipping cream
  • Sugar for dusting

Method

  1. Beat eggs and sugar until they become voluminous.
  2. Fold in the flour and baking powder.
  3. Bake in a shallow baking tray.
  4. Turn out onto a cloth dusted with sugar.
  5. Fill and roll while still flexible.
  6. Cover with chocolate cream and score the surface to resemble tree bark.

Tips from Empório Portugal

  • Thin dough rolls without breaking.
  • Don't overbake.
  • The decor should be simple and elegant.

Possible substitutions in Brazil

  • Ganache replaces chocolate cream.
  • A doce de ovos (egg-yolk sweet) filling creates a more Portuguese version.

Pairing

Coffee, black tea or sparkling wine. Content intended for people over 18 years of age. Drink in moderation.

Editorial note from Empório Portugal

This recipe is part of the editorial curation of Empório Portugal, developed from Portuguese culinary tradition. Like every traditional recipe, it may vary by region, family and cook.

Do you have a Portuguese family recipe?

Send it to the Empório Portugal community. Submitted recipes are reviewed before any publication.

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Quick facts

Prep
45 min
Cooking
15 min
Total time
1 hour
Yield
10 slices
Difficulty
Medium
Occasion
Christmas, party dessert

Pairing

Coffee, black tea or sparkling wine. Content intended for people over 18 years of age. Drink in moderation.

Empório tip

Thin dough rolls without breaking.

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