VALRHONA FOREST YULE LOG RECIPE
Yule log

FOREST YULE LOG

Made with 50% PECAN

An original recipe by Jérémy Del Val.
Makes 6 Yule Logs in flat-bottomed molds Ref.: 33976.

7 steps

Recipe Step by Step

Step01

VELVETY PECAN SPONGE (makes one frame)

295g European-style butter

355g Pecans

310g Almonds

104g Raw cane sugar

81g Cornstarch

6g Organic Madagascan vanilla bean

433g Egg

210g Honey

264g Egg whites

53g Sugar

Make the beurre noisette.



Mix the pecans, raw almonds, raw cane sugar, starch and vanilla in a food processor.



Add the eggs and honey, start to emulsify them, then add the beurre noisette cooled to 140°F (60°C).



By hand, fold in the whipped egg whites (mixed with sugar to stiffen them).



Spread 2000g onto a baking sheet with sides. Bake at 330°F (165°C) for around 25 minutes.

Step02

PECAN CRUNCH (makes one frame)

252g JIVARA 40%

700g 50% Pecan Praliné

280g Pecan Pure Paste

5,5g Fleur de sel

490g Crispy wheat flake cereal

140g Caramelized pecan nuts

Melt the chocolate to 105°F (40°C) and add the praliné, pecan pure paste and fleur de sel. Heat to 95°F (35°C) then add the crispy wheat flake cereal and chopped pecans.

Step03

POACHED PEAR CUBES

3000g Fresh pears

3L Water

900g Sugar

8g Organic Madagascan vanilla bean

2 Oranges

1 Lemon

5g Citric acid

Peel the pears and cut them into cubes of approx. 1cm × 1cm.



Boil the water, sugar and vanilla (seeds and pods), add the citrus zests and infuse for 10 minutes, then strain through a fine strainer.



Bring to a boil and add the pear cubes.

Step04

POACHED PEAR COMPOTE WITH SICHUAN PEPPER (makes one frame)

1410g Pear purée

12g Organic Madagascan vanilla bean

112g Sugar

26g Pectin NH

3,75g Pure Xanthan Gum

3 Lemons

1250g Poached pear cubes

1.5g Szechuan pepper

Heat the pear purée and vanilla. At 105°F (40°C), add the sugar with the xanthan gum and pectin.



Boil all the ingredients and, once they are cooked, add the lemon zest and juice and the crushed Szechuan pepper (finely ground and sifted), followed by the drained poached pear cubes.

Step05

CARAÏBE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

630g Egg yolk

270g Egg

465g Sugar

315g Water

570g Whole milk

1686g CARAÏBE 66%

2076g Heavy cream 36%

Poach the mixture of egg yolks, eggs, sugar and water at 181°F (83°C) and beat using an electric whisk.



Gradually combine the hot milk with the melted chocolate, taking care to form a smooth emulsion. Mix using an

immersion blender.



Stabilize the emulsion if necessary by adding cream whipped to the texture of a mousse.



Once the mixture is smooth, check the temperature is at 120°F (50°C) and add the pâte-à-bombe and remaining frothy whipped cream.

Step06

PECAN CRÉMEUX

150g Heavy cream 36%

5g Gelatin powder 220 Bloom

25g Water for the gelatin

525g 50% Pecan Praliné

188g Heavy cream 36%

0.75g Fleur de sel

Warm the cream and add the gelatin.



Gradually combine with the 50% pecan praliné.



Gradually add in the cold cream to form an emulsion.



Add the fleur de sel. Mix with an immersion blender.

Step07

CHOCOLATE GLAZE

380g Heavy cream 36%

190g Liquid Glucose DE40

145g Cocoa powder

520g Sugar

200g Water

24g Gelatin powder 220 Bloom

120g Water for the gelatin

55g Invert Sugar

Warm the liquid cream along with the liquid glucose, then add the cocoa powder.



Cook the sugar and water at 230°F (110°C).



Stir in the first mixture, the hydrated gelatin and the invert sugar, then blend.



Leave to set, preferably overnight.



Use at 80-82°F (26/28°C).

Assembly and finishing

VALRHONA FOREST YULE LOG RECIPE

As needed Small pear in syrup
As needed Caramelized pecan nuts
As needed Pure dark chocolate and Dulcey Christmas tree
As needed Book of Gold Squares - 80mm

Assembly: Spread 1800g of pecan crisp into a frame, then put the sponge on top.
Spread on 2600g of pear compote and freeze.
Cut the dessert into 53.5 × 6cm strips per frame (= 6 inserts).
Pipe 1kg of CARAÏBE mousse into a Valrhona flat-bottomed large Yule log mold (ref. 33976), put the strips of insert in place, smooth the dessert’s surface and freeze.

Finishing touches: Remove the logs from the mold, cut them into three pieces, then glaze them with the chocolate icing at 79-82°F (26-28°C).
Pipe some differently sized dabs of pecan crémeux (approx. 70g) along the top of the Yule log.
Finish off the dessert’s decoration with some quartered pears (caramelized using a blowtorch), some caramelized half-pecans, some Chocolatree “Pure Chocolate Christmas Tree” decorations and a few pieces of gold leaf.