Yule log 2022 by Hélène Darroze: giving pride of place to Armagnac

Christmas has come to enchant the city, making everyone absolutely delighted! As festive meals are being concocted, sweet-toothed are going on a quest for the best yule logs to gift to their relatives and a very soft finale. In the Paris area, great places deliver their interpretations of this staple and festive Holiday dessert. From the traditional roll cake to the most spectacular and unusual pieces, each and everyone will find THE yule log that will rock their Christmas meal.

Calling all foodies, this year, Michelin-starred chef Hélène Darroze joins the dance of Paris yule logs. In partnership with her pastry chef Joannice Lacemon, they came up with a fun and gluten-free creation shining a light on France’s oldest brandy: Armagnac. The choice is not trivial: the brandy echoes Hélène Darroze’s family’s history since her father, Francis Darroze, was a brandy maker. A passion that was conveyed to the chef’s brother, Marc Darroze, as the latter took over the business. 

This trompe l’œil yule log unveils elegantly intertwined oak barks. Between the wooden look and the coppery pieces, the illusion is perfect. Smash open the thin chocolate layer to unveil a very creamy and light chesnut mousse flavored with vanilla, citrus fruit and Armagnac compote to shake up the taste buds, some chocolate cake and chestnut flour (a gluten alternative) and cocoa crunch to bring some crunchiness and making chocolate fans happy. In other words, enjoy the main flavors of the Holidays embodying family reunions but yule log style. Here is a Proustian madeleine reminding us of past memories likely to spring back up on Christmas eve.

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What we love with this yule log is the practical aspect of the design so you can make slices fitting the guests’ appetites. The upper part, thinner, can be easily removed for guests who are not into sugar and provide them with smaller slices full of citrus fruit and cocoa. As for sweet-toothed, they will enjoy thicker slices with more mousse with the bottom part.

You can pre-order the yule log from December 1 to 19, 2022, and can be collected from December 20, 2022, within Hélène Darroze’s Paris restaurants: Marsan and Jòia. Serving 6/8 foodies, the yule log costs €90, and €115 with a 20cl bottle of great blend Armagnac – 20 years of age – from Maison Francis Darroze. Furthermore, profits made will be donated to "La Bonne Étoile" charity aiming at improving the life conditions of children in need.