7 unique log cakes to try in Singapore this Christmas

Christmas dinner is never complete without the quintessential festive log cake. Of course, you’ll still find traditional yule logs made of rolled sponge cake decorated to look like logs, but many bakeries these days are increasingly innovative with their presentations. From unique designs to quirky flavours inspired by local ingredients, here are some of the more impressive ones for your dessert table.

Inspired by a winter wonderland, this gorgeous creation from Goodwood Park Hotel is a conversation-starter. Pastel-hued rock sugar crystals adorn one side of the log, while jagged milk chocolate shards decorate the other. Beneath the snowy-white chocolate glaze lies a delicate almond sponge layer with mascarpone, apple mousse and lingonberries that sit on a base of milk chocolate hazelnut fudge. Sweet with a tart aftertaste, it’s whimsical and weirdly wonderful. S$82 nett for 1kg

Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena‘s Sky22 is serving an intriguing, green velvet sponge Cempedak Log Cake filled with a light cempedak custard cream dotted with chunks of the fruit. The frosting is a light whipped cream with crunchy white pearls for added texture. The result is fragrant and flavourful, much like ripe banana mixed with pineapple. S$62 nett for 1kg

Instead of the traditional yule log, go for something truly exquisite – and in the form of a fanciful carousel that’s almost too pretty to eat. This limited-edition cake from Shophouse by Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore is made with French Spice Cake, orange marmalade, and jivara bavaroise (a chocolate cream), and features an elaborate design of beloved characters, such as the gingerbread man, handcrafted from fondant and chocolate. There are only 50 cakes for sale, and each one comes in a keepsake crimson box with a unique serial number. S$298 nett

Coffee lovers who like an undertone of bitterness to their desserts will enjoy this log cake from Hotel Fort Canning’s The Salon that features hand-piped buttercream motifs atop a soft almond sponge layered with smooth latte cream and chocolate mousse. Besides the aromatic hints of coffee and traces of nuttiness, each bite also offers delightful pops of crunch, thanks to the feuilletine base. S$68+ for 1 kg

Another unexpectedly refreshing shape – and this time from European-influenced patisserie Origin + Bloom. Complete with a crimson hat and snow-white beard, this is inspired by the Tomte or gnome from Scandinavian folklore that’s associated with Christmas. Beneath the icing is a sweet treat of pecan brownies, salted caramel, cacao crumble, lemon mousse and hazelnut biscuits. S$85 for 10 pax

A reinterpretation of the traditional French dessert, in which apples are caramelised in butter and sugar before the tart is baked, this glistening creation from Regent Singapore is equal parts glorious and sweet. Comprising caramelised apples wrapped around a sponge log with a vanilla yuzu mascarpone cream filling, it sits on a crisp pastry base which adds a satisfying crunch when everything is eaten together. S$108 nett for 1 kg

This eye-catching cake from Antoinette takes inspiration from nature.  Rice paper butterflies rest on dark chocolate shards carefully inserted into a bed of Grand Cru dark chocolate mousse interspersed with layers of cocoa finger cake and brightened up with slathers of orange marmalade, salted caramel and caramel parfait. The elegant block is finished with hazelnut crispies. S$50 (5 to 7 pax); S$95 (10 to 14 pax)

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