This Totoro Buche de Noel is a super fun take on the classic yule log!
Also, about that chocolate ganache I mentioned in the video – I didn’t have any heavy whipping cream on hand to make a real ganache, so I substituted milk and added a little butter to replace the fat. However, the ganache hardened when on the cake into a more “bark” like texture, which was super realistic but also not super fun to eat ? So I just opted to replace the ganache bark with Nutella and it worked out great! ? ~The End~
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 15" x 10" baking pan and line with parchment paper. Grease once again with cooking spray.
Beat eggs with electric mixer for about 5 minutes or until thick and pale and fluffy. Gradually mix in sugar until combined, then mix in water and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into wet ingredients, then pour into prepared baking pan.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Immediately run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen, then flip out onto a clean kitchen towel. While cake is still warm, roll up cake in towel.
When cake is cooled, unroll cake and spread on buttercream frosting. Re-roll cake, then slice off ends to reveal clean finish. Cut off a small section of cake at the end at a diagonal of the yule log for a branch end. Place branch end on side of cake, then frost cake with slightly warmed/softened Nutella. Decorate with Totoro fondant figurines and sprinkles.
Buttercream Frosting
Cream together butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, then mix in vanilla. Add milk until desired consistency is reached.
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease three 6" baking pans w/ cooking spray, line with parchment, and grease again.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together butter, shortening, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix only until mixture just comes together. Divide between pans (fill pans 7/8 full), then bake for 1 hour.
