Christmas log decoration: an authentic dessert

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We all know the Christmas log and its chocolate and delicious taste. By culinary tradition, a Christmas meal always ends with the tasting of a Christmas log.

This tradition is not just a treat. In reality it is a pagan custom that has its origins since the Middle Ages. Today, the Christmas log is a tradition in France, Belgium, Quebec, New Brunswick, Vietnam and Lebanon, as it is in other French-speaking countries. Discover our gallery of 49 ideas from Christmas log decoration and our little summary about its origins!

Christmas log decoration with almonds

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The custom of burning, during the New Year’s meal, a log of fruit trees or hardwoods, has existed for several centuries. Then the family gathered around the hearth to share the Christmas meal while singing. The log was placed in the fireplace to bring (literally and metaphorically) warmth and comfort. It was a true blessing ritual: the log protected the house and the family that inhabited it. According to the beliefs, it protected diseases, evil spirits and brought prosperity.

Christmas log decoration with sugar figurines View in galleryChristmas log decoration: an authentic dessert | 3/49

In its culinary version that we know today, the Christmas log appears around the 19th^th century. His date of birth and his true creator are not known. Some believe that it is probably an apprentice pastry chef who had a chocolate factory in the Saint Germain des Prés district in Paris. Others believe that it is probably a Lyon invention. Nowadays, the Christmas log has become the Christmas dessert for all French people. Ice cream or pastry, it is always delicious and melting.

Christmas log decorated with dried fruits and nuts

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This dessert has different names depending on the region and the spoken dialect. In patois he bore the name TREFEU derived from “three fires” because it was during three days that it burned. In Normandy, the Christmas log was called chuquet, while in Burgundy his name was suche. Finally, there are a thousand ways to call it and only once to eat it!

Decoration with raspberries and fresh mint

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At the base of the Christmas log was a Genoese biscuit with coffee and chocolate butter cream that was then rolled up. Nowadays, there are many logs that are no longer rolled, but cooked in mussels and garnished with dried fruits, nuts, almonds, vanilla cream and many more. The traditional Christmas log is usually decorated with figurines (Santa, mushrooms, goblins, deer, houses) made of sugar or other non-edible material such as plastic. The great pastry chefs opt for a fine and minimalist decoration, in order to enhance their pastry masterpiece.

Small white sugar starsView in galleryChristmas log decoration: an authentic dessert | 6/49

Lemon and orange decoration: happy harmony View in galleryChristmas log decoration: an authentic dessert | 7/49

White mushroomsView in galleryChristmas log decoration: an authentic dessert | 8/49 Sugar panda View in galleryChristmas log decoration: an authentic dessert | 9/49

Mushrooms and nutsView in galleryChristmas log decoration: an authentic dessert | 10/49

Elegant decorationView in galleryChristmas log decoration: an authentic dessert | 11/49

Mushrooms and herbsView in galleryChristmas log decoration: an authentic dessert | 12/49

A mushroom disguised as strawberryView in galleryChristmas log decoration: an authentic dessert | 13/49

Elegance in black and whiteView in galleryChristmas log decoration: an authentic dessert | 14/49

Raspberries and strawberries View in galleryChristmas log decoration: an authentic dessert | 15/49 View in galleryChristmas log decoration: an authentic dessert | 16/49 View in galleryChristmas log decoration: an authentic dessert | 17/49 View in galleryChristmas log decoration: an authentic dessert | 18/49

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