With its chocolate bark, snowy finish and tiny mushrooms, a yule log cake doubles as an edible holiday centerpiece. But before it became dessert, the yule log was actual firewood. Across parts of Europe, families burned a large log during winter celebrations, with traditions linking the fire to good fortune, prosperity and the return of longer days. French pastry chefs later brought the custom to the dessert table with Bûche de Noël, or “Christmas log.”

Making one today is a sweet way to carry on that spirit of celebration. A traditional version starts with a thin sponge cake spread with cream or buttercream and rolled into a spiral, known as a roulade. Chocolate frosting becomes bark, cocoa-dusted meringue mushrooms add woodland charm, and confectioners’ sugar supplies the snow. Whether you attempt an ambitious endeavor or opt for a simplified recipe, these yule log recipes bring a little woodland magic to your holiday table.

Even classic recipes deserve a twist from time to time. Molly Yeh infuses her take on this dessert by combining black sesame buttercream with almond-orange sponge cake. It sits on a grassy bed of shredded coconut dyed green by matcha powder.

A classic yule log cake never fails to impress. Jessie Sheehan’s step-by-step photos guide you through the process. Ganache helps conceal cracks, so there’s no need to let a little imperfection derail dessert.

Let the refrigerator take a turn making dessert. Chocolate wafers soften between layers of peppermint whipped cream as this icebox cake chills. Assemble it early, then turn your attention to the rest of dinner.

The decorating trick here is worth keeping in your back pocket. Chocolate chilled between rolled sheets of parchment breaks into curved shards that resemble bark. Have fun arranging them into your own woodland centerpiece.

Chocolate and coffee belong together on the holiday table. This no-bake dessert brings both flavors to the party by swapping in chocolate wafer cookies for cake. Consider that one more thing checked off your hosting list.

Not up for baking? Start with store-bought chocolate-coated Swiss rolls to make these mini yule logs. Mini marshmallows browned in a pan act as toad stools while a few sprigs of rosemary and a dusting of powdered sugar bring it all home.

If decorating is your favorite part, this recipe might be for you. A store-bought layer cake gets a woodland makeover with chocolate bark and pistachio moss. Marzipan and red berries create cutesy mushrooms that adorn the edges of this festive dessert.