The 14 best log cakes for Christmas
1. CHRISTMAS BANANA
$64 (1.1kg), from Patisserie Glace, www.cakeglace.com. Available from Nov 1 to Dec 20.
We thought this swirl of fresh cream and dark chocolate meringue with a whole banana tucked in the middle would be cloying, but it was surprisingly light. We especially loved the contrast of the
delightfully fluffy cream against the crisp meringue.
2. ROLLED APPLE CARAMEL TATIN LOG CAKE GREAT FIND
$26.75 (500g); $48.15 (1kg), from Raffles Hotel, tel: 6412-1100. Available from Dec 1-25.
If “pretty” had a taste, this log would be just that. Its lush mousse is laced with the delicate flavour of Earl Grey tea, while crunchy bits of caramelised apple embedded throughout it add texture and sweetness.
3. CARAMEL CHESTNUT LOG CAKE
$72.76 (1kg), from Grand Hyatt Singapore, tel: 6734-6731. Available from Nov 17 to Jan 3.
The fantastical mushroom meringues sprouting all over the log had us cooing – a good start. Taste-wise, the cake was an interesting combination of bitter coffee, sweet chestnut, earthy pistachio and sour cherries that played off against each other well.
4. STRAWBERRY MINT YOGHURT YULE LOG
$77.04 (1kg), from Sheraton Towers Singapore Hotel, tel: 6839-5636. Available from Dec 2-25.
Smooth as a New York bake, yet airy like Japanese sponge, this soft, cheesecake-like log is in a class of its own. The snowy frosting isn’t too sweet, but the jelly-like cubes could do with more fruity acidity.
5. BRONTE PISTACHIO AND CRUNCHY PRALINE LOG CAKE GREAT FIND
$79 (1kg), from Regent Singapore, tel: 6720-8000. Available from Dec 1 to Jan 1.
The “most memorable log cake” award goes to this fluorescent green beauty – the unexpected combination of nutty vanilla almond sponge, tart mango curd, and sweet-salty white chocolate and pistachio mousse miraculously works.
6. 7TH HEAVEN YULE LOG
$69 (1kg), from The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, tel: 6877-8178. Available from Nov 27 to Dec 25.
This stands out with its delectable mix of textures, from the pillowy chocolate fudge sponge and silky mousse to the layers of crunchy hazelnut nougatine and chewy melted marshmallow. Altogether sinful, decadent, and surely something you’ll want to warn your guests to save tummy space for.
7. GRANDMA 66% LOG CAKE
$58 (1kg), from Shangri-La Hotel, tel: 6213-4448. Available from Nov 28 to Dec 25.
This is the chocolate cake for dessert lovers of all ages – the buttery milk chocolate is not too bitter for kids, and not too light for the grown-ups.
8. CHERRY YULE LOG CAKE
$72 (800g), from Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, tel: 6831-7253. Available from Nov 1 to Dec 24.
Instead of weighing down the palate, this dark chocolate cake is unexpectedly refreshing with moist, loosely packed crumbs, juicy cherries macerated in alcohol, and just a touch of spice.
9. TRIPLE CHOCOLATE DECADENCE LOG CAKE
$55.64 (750g), from The St. Regis Singapore, tel: 6506-6860. Available from Dec 1-25.
Composed of vanilla cream, chocolate ganache and a copious amount of brandy, this roll is strictly for adults only. Once you recover from the potent hit of liqueur, your taste buds will find the chocolatey cake itself moist and satisfyingly rich.
10. MONT BLANC LOG
$62.95 (800g); $83.25 (1.2kg), from Flor Patisserie, #01-01, 2 Duxton Hill, tel: 6243-0813. Available from Dec 1-31.
The very soft, moist sponge roll tastes a little plain, but that simply allows the star component on top – the velvety squiggles of chestnut cream – to shine. Light and pleasant, it’s not at all cloying.
11. GOODWOOD D24 DURIAN CHRISTMAS LOG CAKE EDITOR'S RAVE
$74.88 (1kg), from Goodwood Park Hotel, tel: 6730-1867. Available from Dec 1-26.
Snuggled between layers of moist vanilla sponge, the luscious durian puree delivers a welcome dose of pungency before unleashing its unmistakable flavour. It showcases the king of fruits at its best.
12. CHOCOLATE FUDGE LOG CAKE BEST VALUE
$32 (500g); $60 (1kg), from Singapore Marriott Hotel, tel: 6831-4708. Available from Nov 26 to Dec 25.
Ultra-rich, dense and brimming with gooey chocolatey goodness, this is one solid chocolate cake that is without any distracting elements.
13. 70% CHOCOLATE MOUSSE AND CARAMEL BANANA CAKE
$37.45 (500g); $69.55 (1kg), from Fairmont Singapore, tel: 6338-8785. Available from Nov 7 to Dec 25.
Dusted with cocoa powder, this log uses chocolate made from a blend of cocoa beans from countries like Tanzania and Ghana. Its intense bitterness is moderated perfectly by the sweetness of ripe banana chunks and lashings of caramel.
14. CHOCOLATE ROULADE
$48 (500g); $96 (1kg), from Laurent Bernard Chocolatier, #01-11 The Pier at Robertson Quay, tel: 6235-9007. Available from Nov 15 to Jan 1.
Shards of chocolate adorn this dense roulade of sponge and mousse. The cake celebrates the richness of bittersweet dark chocolate, and would have been a little heavy, if not for the tangy raspberry filling that sliced right through it.
It is recommended that you order these log cakes at least five working days in advance.
