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There is nothing that screams CHRISTMAS quite like this version of Maltese Christmas log! This is one of those recipes that goes by a hundred different names. Here in Malta we simply call it Christmas log. Nevertheless, this chocolate log also goes by the names Christmas yule log, chocolate salami and bûche de Noël.
The Christmas yule log recipe originated in France. It’s a log shaped sweet roulade made with sponge cake cooked in a swiss roll tin. It’s filled with chocolate buttercream and raspberry jam and gently rolled into a cylindrical shape. The bûche de Noël is then covered in chocolate and decorated to look like the bark of a tree. You’ll also find some decorated with Powdered sugar sprinkled over it to look like snow.
As with many other Maltese recipes, we love to give things our own twist around here!
On this side of the mediterranean we use biscuits rather than sponge in our Christmas log recipe. Our version is like a mashup between the French yule log and Italian chocolate salami.
The traditional Maltese sweet is made with biscuits, sweetened condensed milk, glazed cherries, nuts and brandy. It’s a super easy yule log recipe to make. All you need to do is crush the biscuits, mix them with the rest of the ingredients and bring together with sweetened condensed milk. You then shape this mixture into a log and coat in chocolate, just like you would with any other chocolate yule log recipe.
How to make Vegan Yule Log
In the Maltese chocolate log recipe, the number one ingredient that needs a vegan replacement is sweetened condensed milk. You can easily make your own by simmering medjool dates in milk. The dates will soften and become easy to mash. Just add some vanilla and coconut oil and blend with a hand blender or food processor to achieve a caramel like texture. There you have it, vegan sweetened condensed milk!
When it comes to the other ingredients, you’ll simply need to find a vegan alternative to morning coffee biscuits. I like to use cereal biscuits or a kind with no sugar. You can also substitute biscuits with a crunchy breakfast cereal if you prefer.
Making Christmas Log Healthy
To make this Maltese style Christmas log healthy, yet equally delicious, all I did was make some ingredient substitutions.
Rather than digestive biscuits, I used a mix of oats and all-bran cereal biscuits which are much lower in both fats and sugars. I achieved the same sticky consistency by adding in nut butter and homemade sweetened condensed milk. In this way I completely avoided the 220g of sugar found in a can of sweetened condensed milk. Finally, I replaced the sugar packed glazed cherries with tasty dried cranberries.
This Vegan Yule Log is not exactly low in calories so portion control still applies. Nevertheless, when helping yourself to a slice of this divinity you’ll be providing your body with genuine and nourishing ingredients.
Unlike the traditional sugary loaded stuff, this won’t leave you feeling sluggish at all. That’s because the sugars in this recipe come from natural sources like fruits. It’s packed with fiber and complex carbs as well as healthy fats from the nuts.
The brandy does look out of place amongst the list of clean ingredients, yet this gives the log it’s signature Maltese taste and I strongly suggest you use it in your recipe.
It’s definitely the best yule log recipe for those still acing their nutrition goals during the Christmas period. It’s perfect accompanied with other Christmas themed Maltese desserts such as Vegan Baci Balls, Pudina and Healthy Coconut Balls.
This Christmas log can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature and doesn’t need to go in the fridge. It will hold for around 5 days – if you can wait that long before devouring it!
A Maltese Christmas Log recipe with a difference
Geraldine Bartolo
This Christmas Log recipe is a healthy copy-cat recipe of the Maltese version. It's perfect for vegans and a much healthier alternative.
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Prep Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Servings 2 logs (8 slices each)
Calories 240 kcal
Equipment
Food Processor
Hand Blender
Ingredients
Christmas Log Filling Ingredients
- 250 g Oat Flour
- 120 g All-bran Biscuits
- 75 g Hazelnuts
- 50 g Almonds
- 10 g Cocoa Powder
- 40 g Sweetener I use xylitol
- 85 g Dried Cranberries unsweetened
- 30 g Hazelnut Butter almond works too
- 3 tbsp Brandy
- 100 g Sugar-free Dark Chocolate
Condensed Milk Substitute Ingredients
- 375 ml Soya Milk or other plant based milk
- 150 g Fresh Dates
- 1 tsp Vanilla Essence
- 1 tbsp Coconut Oil
- 10 g Coconut Milk Powder optional – this just gives a bit more of a milky taste
Instructions
How to make vegan sweetened condensed milk
Mix the milk with fresh dates, vanilla, coconut oil, and powdered milk and let simmer in a saucepan on medium heat, stirring constantly. When the mixture starts boiling and looking creamy, remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes
Blend the sweetened condensed milk mixture until the consistency of a smooth paste is achieved. Let cool for a few more minutes. As the mixture cools, it will thicken even more
How to make Maltese Christmas Log
If you don’t have oat flour, start by processing the oats until a flour consistency is achieved, set aside.
In the same bowl, process biscuits almonds and hazelnuts until they’re chopped but not too finely.
Add cocoa and sweetener to the mix and pulse all ingredients for a few seconds making sure they are mixed well.
Place the mixture in a bowl and add cranberries, nut butter, and Brandy.
Slowly add sweetened condensed milk to the mixture and keep mixing until a dough consistency is achieved. (You might not need to use all the sweetened condensed milk and can set it aside for other recipes.)
Form into 2 smaller logs or one (very large) log and freeze for 15 minutes.
Add dark chocolate and coconut oil to a microwave safe bowl and microwave for around 3 minutes until the chocolate is melted, stopping to stir at 30 second intervals to make sure it doesn't burn.
Coat the log in chocolate and if you like, use a fork to create a ‘log texture’. Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight if you can resist 🙂
If you useMy Fitness Palto log your food, you can find this recipe listed on the database as ‘The Healthy Malteser Christmas Log’.
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