Here Comes the Sun!

Well, it's official.

Winter is upon us. The winter solstice has arrived with a lunar eclipse. And the shortest day of the year.

Which means, of course, the days get longer here on out.

And summer is just around the corner!

Yes, I know. Bah. Humbug. 

Most of you are still in holiday frenzy mode. 

But I'm looking forward to the New Year, the longer days, the warm, beaming rays. And not having to worry about taking my car in to get the heater fixed!

I am totally ready to drag out a Yule log and burn out the cold, bitter heart of winter, as the ancient pagans did.

Or, you know, scarf down some Buche de Noel.

Here's one recipe from Allrecipes.com.

Ingredients

2 cups heavy cream 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 6 egg yolks 1/2 cup white sugar 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/8 teaspoon salt 6 egg whites 1/4 cup white sugar confectioners' sugar for dusting Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whip cream, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup cocoa, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until thick and stiff. Refrigerate. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat egg yolks with 1/2 cup sugar until thick and pale. Blend in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, and salt. In large glass bowl, using clean beaters, whip egg whites to soft peaks. Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar, and beat until whites form stiff peaks. Immediately fold the yolk mixture into the whites. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the cake springs back when lightly touched. Dust a clean dishtowel with confectioners' sugar. Run a knife around the edge of the pan, and turn the warm cake out onto the towel. Remove and discard parchment paper. Starting at the short edge of the cake, roll the cake up with the towel. Cool for 30 minutes. Unroll the cake, and spread the filling to within 1 inch of the edge. Roll the cake up with the filling inside. Place seam side down onto a serving plate, and refrigerate until serving. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.
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Personally, I'm not known for my adventures in confection. (That's what bakeries are for!) But every now and then I've been known to dip my elbows into bowls of chocolate or brown sugar.

Anyone have any favorites?