Mint Chocolate Cheesecake Bûche de Noël

Mint Chocolate Cheesecake Bûche de Noël
Mint Chocolate Cheesecake Bûche de Noël

My favorite part of making a yule log cake has always been the adornments – bark made from chocolate pieces, powdered sugar snow, almond pine cones and above all – meringue mushrooms. Since I’ve been using meringue mushrooms this year in other less traditional ways (see here and here), I decided that this cake didn’t need them. But that was only after my discovery of mint chocolate twigs. I knew they’d be just the thing for a more modern take on Bûche de Noël.

Mint Chocolate Cheesecake Bûche de Noël

The top layer of this “cake” is a mint-flavored no-bake cheesecake. It’s so creamy and mild, which is exactly how I like my minty sweets (aggressive peppermint is such a turn-off!). The chocolate mousse layer is slightly more airy texture-wise but it’s right at home with the other cold, creamy no-bake elements.

Mint Chocolate Cheesecake Bûche de Noël

Mint chocolate twigs are probably not readily available to everyone. I only just discovered them this holiday season at a local specialty market (they seem to be a seasonal thing here in the Southern US) but any chocolate baton, cigarette, or stick will work- as long as they’re relatively soft and easy to slice through. These mint-filled batons from Sweet Works (pictured above) are a good choice, too!

Mint Chocolate Cheesecake Bûche de Noël

I used scraps of a wood grain patterned chocolate transfer sheet to make decorative white chocolate embellishments. You may remember that I used it here also, on another favorite minty-mousse creation.

If you don’t have a specialty buche mold like mine, then you can use a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan instead. All the recipe steps will be the same, except you’ll need to line the loaf pan with parchment before pouring in the batters for easy removal later.

I can’t wait to bring this to our family gathering on Christmas, – and gosh! We’re almost there, friends! Just a few more short days. Hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season!

Mint Chocolate Cheesecake Bûche de Noël

[click for printable version]

Yield: 10 servings

Source: Sprinkle Bakes original recipe

Prep: 1 hour, total time 8+ hours with chilling

I used a special buche mold to make this cake (see picture for product link), but you could use a standard-size 9×5-inch loaf pan. If you use a loaf pan, line it with parchment paper that overhangs two edges. The cake will need to thaw slightly before it will cleanly release from the pan.

Tortaflex Buche Mold from Pastry Chef Central

Mint Chocolate Cheesecake Bûche de Noël

Heather Baird
I used a special buche mold to make this cake (see picture for product link), but you could use a standard-size 9×5-inch loaf pan. If you use a loaf pan, line it with parchment paper that overhangs two edges. The cake will need to thaw slightly before it will cleanly release from the pan.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
3 hours freeze time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 55 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Ingredients
 
 

Mint cheesecake layer

  • 1 cups white chocolate chips
  • 1/2 pound cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1/2 can/7 oz. sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/2 oz. packet unflavored powdered gelatin
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
  • 4-5 drops liquid green food color

Chocolate mousse layer

  • 1 tsp powdered gelatin
  • 1 tbsp. cold water
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup milk hot – (put in the microwave for 30+ seconds)
  • 8 oz. quality chocolate chopped
  • 3/4 cup whipping cream

Glaze/topping

  • 9 oz. chocolate finely chopped
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tbsp. corn syrup
  • Chocolate mint twigs such as Grand Belgian brand or Revillon
  • Pieces of white chocolate with wood grain motif *optional

Instructions
 

  • For the mint cheesecake: In a large heatproof bowl, melt the white chocolate at 30-second intervals in the microwave at full power, stirring well after each heating. When chocolate is smooth, add the cream cheese and mix well with an electric mixer. Add the sweetened condensed milk and beat until smooth. In a small microwave-safe condiment cup combine the water and gelatin. Let mixture stand for 1 minute. Heat gelatin in the microwave for 5-10 seconds or until liquefied. Stir gelatin into the cream cheese mixture. Pour in the (un-whipped) heavy cream and 2 teaspoons peppermint extract. Mix with a handheld mixer on the lowest speed until just incorporated. Pour the batter into a silicone buche pan or a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Place in the freezer while you make the chocolate mousse layer.
  • For the chocolate mousse layer: Pour water into a small saucepan and sprinkle over powdered gelatin. Let stand for 1 minute. Whisk in eggs and sugar. Stir in hot milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Mixture will thicken after 5 minutes or so. When done, it should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Stir in chopped chocolate and blend gently with a whisk until chocolate is melted and even in color (no streaks). Let this mixture cool until barely warm, about 25 minutes; stir mixture occasionally. Whip cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into the chocolate mixture until well blended. Pour mixture over the mint cheesecake layer in the buche pan and smooth the top. Cover and freeze for at least 3 hours, or until frozen firm.
  • To unmold, place buche pan over a wire rack. Soak a dish towel in hot water and lightly wring; place hot towel over the bottom of the buche mold. Gently pry sides of mold away from the mousse. Press the top of the mold gently with your hands until the mousse releases. Place the rack over a large jelly roll pan; place cake in the freezer while you prepare the glaze.
  • For the glaze: place heavy cream in a large microwaveable bowl. Heat in the microwave at 40 second intervals until very hot but not boiling (you can do this on the stove top if you don’t have a microwave). Stir in chopped chocolate. Let stand for 3 minutes then begin gently stirring mixture. You can use a whisk, but do not whisk vigorously as it will create air bubbles in the finished glaze. When chocolate and cream are thoroughly mixed and smooth, add corn syrup. Stir until combined. Transfer to a 4-cup measure with a pour spout. *Note: Corn syrup can be omitted if desired. It is used in this recipe to give the glaze shine.
  • Remove cake from freezer and pour glaze over entire surface. Allow the dessert to stand until the glaze dripping subsides, then pour excess chocolate in the jelly roll pan back into the 4-cup measure. Rewarm glaze for 20-30 seconds in the microwave if it has thickened. Stir, then pour a second coat over the entire surface of the dessert. When dripping subsides repeat warming and pouring process a third time (the more times you cover with chocolate, the smoother the surface becomes). Transfer cake to a serving platter with a large spatula on one side of the dessert and a hand supporting underneath on the other side. Press mint twigs on top of the cake in crisscross fashion. Place white chocolate pieces on top of cake, if using. Store the cake in the refrigerator or freezer. Cake slices best when partially frozen. Allow mousse to stand at room temperature until soft but still chilled; serve.
Keyword champagne ganache, chocolate mousse, mint cheesecake
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Marjorie (Sugar for the Brain)
Marjorie (Sugar for the Brain)
10 years ago

This looks so yummy and utterly perfect!!! Happy Holidays!!!

Melanie
Melanie
10 years ago

Absolutely gorgeous!!!

Bethany
Bethany
10 years ago

Oh my goodness, this might be the most delicious looking dessert recipe I've seen all month!!! Totally have to try!

Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
10 years ago

Oh man, this cake is stunning! Lovely recipe!

Angelyn
Angelyn
10 years ago

Your work is flawless! I am just so impressed!

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

I love it! I am think mini ones in shape of dome for a party I am having soon. Too cute and love the sticks; they are what make it so rustic.

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
10 years ago

Refined and beautiful!

Cheers,

Rosa

Susan
Susan
10 years ago

Heather: This sounds really delicious. Tis the season to make buch 🙂 Just wondering how you make that cute white chocolate "bark" too–if you don't mind 🙂 Thanks for sharing this creative recipe with us.

Nikki B
Nikki B
10 years ago

Heather, it's a reall Chrystmas treat for me– you've been posting every few days, and every time i open your site, it's like a present day for me. Thank you for your beautiful pictures, funny and detailed explanations and for your wonderful treats. You've been my inspiration for the last 4 month. Happy Christmas and Holidays to you and your family 🙂

Lauren at Keep It Sweet
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
10 years ago

Wow, this is a stunner! And I agree, overwhelming peppermint flavor is not appealing at all. But done right, mint and chocolate is just so good!

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

Wow, this is so creative and elegant. It really is beautiful!

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

Gorgeous!!!! love this. . Happy Holidays!

Amanda
Amanda
10 years ago

It doesn't get much more beautiful than this. You are SERIOUSLY talented!!

Diane
Diane
10 years ago

Simply beautiful! Perfection…

La cocina de Camilni
La cocina de Camilni
10 years ago

Te ha quedado perfecto, y con ese sabor a menta y chocolate qué rico

Amber
Amber
10 years ago

Lovely! Do you use semi-sweet, unsweetened or milk baking chocolate?

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
10 years ago

Semi sweet!

Viaja en mi Cocina
Viaja en mi Cocina
10 years ago

Wonderful pictures!, I wish I could try this cake!, It is my first visit to your blog, I think that it is very well explained and you have a lot of interesting recipes!, I will come again for sure! Hello from Spain and Merry Christmas!

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

I think there is complete serendipity in my soul when I can say, that right now, I have all those ingredients in my kitchen!

Emily
Emily
10 years ago

Just wanted to say that your recipes are the most consistent when it comes to recreating them in my own kitchen….I'm by no means an expert baker, but I feel like one when I get such great results! My husband has told me on multiple occasions that your pumpkin pie is even better than his mom's, but we're keeping that between us for the time being 😉 I look forward to trying different techniques and I'm confident I can do it with your direction! Thanks!

Carroll
Carroll
10 years ago

Love the cheesecake version of this! The rounded cake pan could be used for so many other things- I see one in my future!

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Its so beautiful Heather, Cant stop praising your skills

Spencer @ Moo-Lolly-Bar
Spencer @ Moo-Lolly-Bar
10 years ago

Looks absolutely wonderful! Almost too good to eat!

Beauty Follower
Beauty Follower
9 years ago

Wonderful color combination!

Erica
Erica
9 years ago

Everything you make brings a smile to my face. Congrats on the shoutout on HuffPost.

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

For the chocolate mousse layer, is the gelatin chocolate flavored or unflavored?

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
9 years ago

Hi! It's unflavored – thanks for asking!

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Is the Gelatin for the first part 1/2 by weight? i have Know Gelatine and it doesnt say on the envelope how much is in it

Unknown
Unknown
6 years ago

Do you use semi sweet chocolate for the both the mousse and the glaze? If not what do
you use on each? Brand? I found twigs and mold on Amazon. First time making
a Buche De Noel. Very excited but also anxious. If any followers have made this I would love to hear from you. Thank you.