A Yule Log, also referred to as a Yule log cake or Buche de Noel, is a traditional Christmas dessert that originated in Europe. The word "Yule" relates to the ancient pagan festival of Yule or winter solstice, which was celebrated by Scandinavian and Germanic peoples. During the festival, a large wooden log, known as the Yule log, was burned in the fireplace as a symbol of the returning light and the hope for a bountiful harvest in the coming year. The log was typically decorated with greenery, such as holly or ivy, and prayers or wishes were whispered as the log was lit. Over time, the Yule log tradition evolved into a festive dessert in the form of a log-shaped cake. The cake is typically made from a sponge cake filled with buttercream or other flavored fillings, and then covered in chocolate or a chocolate ganache to resemble a bark-covered log.
Gifts are welcome online or via Venmo. To give with Venmo, scan or tap the QR code using your phone, or search the Venmo website and mobile app for @WilliamsburgHouseOfMercy.
The cares and worries of the year burn away with the holly in the Yule fire, and our community on campus and around the world comes together with shared hope for the future. For those not able to join us in person to share cider and cookies after the ceremony, take time with family and friends to prepare some of these festive and historic recipes from Williamsburg s Virgie Williams to enjoy during the ceremony and throughout the holiday season.
The cake is typically made from a sponge cake filled with buttercream or other flavored fillings, and then covered in chocolate or a chocolate ganache to resemble a bark-covered log. It is often decorated with meringue mushrooms, powdered sugar, or other edible decorations to mimic the forest floor. The Yule log cake has become an iconic Christmas dessert and is enjoyed by many around the world.
Yule Log Celebration
Thank you to those who joined us from afar and gathered in the Wren Courtyard for the annual Yule Log ceremony. The ceremony is now available as a recording for all to enjoy. We enjoyed festive music and singing, student reflections on themes of peace, joy and gratitude, the reading of special poems and stories, and the tossing of sprigs of holly into the fireplace in the Great Hall for good luck.
Joining from afar? We've compiled everything here you need to create your own virtual watch party, complete with special recipes, festive digital downloads, ways to share messages of gratitude.
Share a Message of Gratitude
It's a time-honored William & Mary tradition to cast aside the year's woes by tossing a sprig of holly into the flames of the Yule log. In recent years, students have created a new tradition of adorning the trees in the Wren portico with paper doves illustrating messages of gratitude. Print out a paper dove (pdf) to decorate with your message of gratitude.
Prepare Virgie Williams's Recipes
For those not able to join us in person to share cider and cookies after the ceremony, take time with family and friends to prepare some of these festive and historic recipes from Williamsburg's Virgie Williams to enjoy during the ceremony and throughout the holiday season. (With thanks to Abram Clear '21, Yule Log 2020 co-chair, for introducing these recipes from the Swem Special Collections Research Center).
About Virgie Williams
Virgie Williams (née Webb) owned and operated The Triangle Restaurant, also known as the Paradise Cafe, in Williamsburg’s Triangle District. Once a cultural hub and business center for the Williamsburg Black community, the Triangle District was redeveloped by the City of Williamsburg during a 1970s urban renewal project. Williams was a graduate of the Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute (now Virginia State University), a historically Black college located in Petersburg, VA. These handwritten recipes were recorded in Williams’s 1926 home economics and cooking notebooks. An entrepreneur, teacher, and devote parishioner at the First Baptist Church, Williams was an invaluable member of the Williamsburg community.
Virgie Williams’s daughter, QuoVadis Wright, kept historical records of Williamsburg’s Black community. Wishing to make her records accessible, Wright donated her collected histories and family papers to Swem Special Collections Research Center. The Lemon Project and Dr. Jody Allen facilitated Swem Special Collections’ 2016 acquisition of Wright’s papers. In addition to her mother’s recipes, the QuoVadis Wright Family Papers include photographs, sketches, and handwritten reflections. In a 2016 Virginia Gazette article, “Recalling how the past paved way for present,” Wright detailed her experiences as a Williamsburg resident. Read her account of life during segregation and notes of changes she saw within the Williamsburg community.
As an independent project, senior students in William & Mary’s undergraduate American Studies Program researched the history of the Triangle District. View their compiled research and learn more about local Black history, the Triangle Block, Williams and other Black entrepreneurs.
Cocoa
Ingredients:
¼ C. cocoa
3 C. milk
1 C. water
¼ to ½ C. sugar
¼ tsp. salt
Instructions:
Mix cocoa and water and boil for 10 min. Add the milk and sugar to the mixture, and cook over hot water for ½ hour. Add salt, beat well and serve. Vanilla may be added if desired.
Dutch Apple Cake
Ingredients:
2 C. flour
½ tsp. salt
3 tsp. baking powder
½ C. butter
¼ tsp. cinnamon
1 egg
⅔ C. milk
2 sour apples
2 tsp. sugar
Instructions:
Mix and sift dry materials except sugar and cinnamon, cut or rub in butter, add the milk and beaten egg. Spread ½ inch thick on a shallow pan, pare and cut the apples in sections lengthwise and set in rows on the dough with edges pressed lightly into the dough. Sprinkle the top with sugar and cinnamon. Bake in a hot oven (450°F) 25 or 30 minutes. Serve hot with lemon or hard sauce.
Chocolate Cookies
Ingredients:
1 C. sugar
2 eggs
½ C. milk
1 C. raisins (and nuts)
1 tsp. vanilla
½ C. melted butter
1 even tsp. soda
2 C. flour
3 squares chocolate
Instructions:
Mix the melted butter with sugar. Add the beaten yolk and melted chocolate to this. Add soda to milk and then add milk to ½ the flour to the sugar and eggs. Mix well. Add the raisins with the remainder of the flour. Add beaten whites and vanilla and beat well. Drop from the spoon to bake on buttered baking sheets. (May be frosted with fudge frosting.)
Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients:
2 C. flour
4 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
2-4 tblsp. shortening
⅔ -¾ cup liquid (half milk + half water)
Instructions:
Mix and sift dry ingredients, cut in the shortening, lightly work in the milk and water mixture, and treat as follows. Roll to ¼ inch thickness; spread with melted butter and then a layer of cinnamon and sugar mixture (raisins may be added if desired). Roll the dough (as a jelly roll) and cut off ½ inch slices. Place these, cut surface down on baking pan or in muffin rings. Sprinkle some of the cinnamon and sugar mixture on the top of each roll; allow to stand 11 minutes and bake in a hot oven (450°F) 12 minutes. Note: instead of cinnamon and sugar mixture one may use butter and brown sugar, butter and jelly or preserves, or maple sugar and nut mixture.
More Ways to Celebrate Yule Log
Enjoy the Sights & Sounds of the Great Hall Fireplace
The burning of the Yule log within the fireplace of the Great Hall of the Wren Building is a highlight of this annual ceremony. Now you can watch a video of the lit fireplace anytime, or cast it on a screen to set the mood for your own Yule Log watch party.
Love holiday music? Bring the joy of W&M a cappella into your celebration and watch a special version featuring performances by the Botetourt Chamber Singers, Accidentals and The Gentlemen of the College.
Share Festive Stickers & GIFs
- Explore the W&M GIPHY channel for all the festive GIFs and stickers available for #wmYuleLog.
- Add W&M-themed stickers to your Stories — search your favorite apps for #wmYuleLog or #williamandmary stickers.
- Download the W&M Mobile app to get the full W&M sticker pack for iOS in your Messages and FaceTime apps.
Consider a Gift to Williamsburg House of Mercy
Williamsburg House of Mercy is a non-profit organization that seeks to support individuals experiencing homelessness, and seeks to provide emergency assistance and supportive services to those who struggle to maintain housing. The Williamsburg House of Mercy provides a safe and welcoming environment for and helps them work toward regaining stability.
Gifts are welcome online or via Venmo. To give with Venmo, scan or tap the QR code using your phone, or search the Venmo website and mobile app for @WilliamsburgHouseOfMercy.
Find Alumni Celebrations Near You
Join William & Mary alumni, parents, family and friends around the world as we share in this beloved holiday tradition!
Every December, the William & Mary community celebrates new beginnings with Yule Log ceremonies. This holiday tradition began in the 1930s and has been part of the William & Mary experience for generations of alumni. The cares and worries of the year burn away with the holly in the Yule fire, and our community — on campus and around the world — comes together with shared hope for the future.
Watch the Ceremony
We were pleased to offer a live broadcast of the ceremony beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 17, 2022.
Program
- Prelude featuring music from the William & Mary Choir.
- Welcome featuring Sarah Larimer '23, Vice President of Omicron Delta Kappa and Abigail Hartless '23, Vice President of Mortar Board.
- Land acknowledgement read by the American Indian Student Association and acknowledgement of the role of enslaved people in William & Mary’s history by the Lemon Project.
- "’Twas the Night After Finals" featuring Ginger Ambler '88, Ph.D. '06, Vice President for Student Affairs.
- Reflections on peace, joy and gratitude featuring the the Black Student Organization, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, W&M Hillel, the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain Students Association, and the Muslim Student Association.
- Holiday reading featuring President Katherine A. Rowe.
- Sing-along featuring the Barksdale Treble Chorus and William & Mary Choir.
- Tradition of the Yule log featuring Colleen Grace '23, President of Mortar Board, and Kathryn Webb '23, President of Omicron Delta Kappa.
- Yuletide Medley featuring The Gentlemen of the College.
- Log procession and the Alma Mater led by the W&M Choir.
- Tossing of the holly.
- Following the ceremony, all are invited to listen to live music by the Wham Bam Big Band, the Cleftomaniacs and Double Take.
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Join William & Mary alumni, parents, family and friends around the world as we share in this beloved holiday tradition!
It is often served alongside other holiday treats and is a centerpiece of festive dessert tables. The act of cutting and serving the cake is often accompanied by joyful celebrations and merriment. The Yule log cake is not only delicious but also carries symbolic meaning. It represents the warmth and light of the Christmas season and the hope for a prosperous year ahead. The act of sharing the cake also fosters a sense of community and togetherness, enhancing the spirit of the holiday season. In modern times, variations of the Yule log cake have emerged, with different flavors, fillings, and decorations. However, the essence of the tradition remains the same - to celebrate the winter season, bring warmth and joy to loved ones, and honor the ancient customs of our ancestors. In conclusion, the Yule log cake is a delightful Christmas dessert that not only satisfies the taste buds but also connects us to our cultural heritage and the age-old traditions of Yule. It is a symbol of hope, light, and togetherness, making it a fitting addition to any holiday celebration..
Reviews for "Creating Personalized Yule Log Decorations for Your Wiccan Altar"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed in the "Yule log wicva". The concept of a yule log is great, but this one fell short in execution. The log itself was small and didn't burn for very long, so it didn't create that cozy atmosphere I was hoping for. Additionally, the scent was overwhelming and artificial, which was a major turn-off. I was hoping for a natural, woodsy smell but instead got a chemical, overpowering fragrance. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this particular yule log.
2. David - 1/5 stars - The "Yule log wicva" was a complete letdown. First of all, it arrived damaged with chunks missing from the log. It was clear that it was not handled with care during shipping. Secondly, it barely burned at all, despite following the instructions. It seemed like it was made of extremely low-quality wood that wouldn't catch fire properly. Finally, the scent was extremely unpleasant. It had a strong, artificial odor that lingered in the room long after the log had burned out. I would not purchase this yule log again.
3. Samantha - 2/5 stars - I had higher expectations for the "Yule log wicva" considering the price, but it fell short. The log itself was small and burned very quickly, so it didn't last for the entire evening as I had hoped. Additionally, the scent was overpowering and artificial. It didn't create that cozy, traditional atmosphere I was looking for. Overall, I was disappointed with this yule log and would recommend trying a different brand.