One of the many joys of the holidays is the opportunity to indulge in special treats and experiences we don’t have the rest of the year. We spend time cooking and decorating to show our loved ones how much we care and to start and keep traditions.

Many American Christmas traditions have their origins in Europe. One of the most spectacular Christmas confections is the Buche de Noel, or Yule log. It’s a sheet of sponge cake topped with filling and rolled up, then iced and decorated to resemble a log.