Gingerbread Yule Log Cake

    Have you done your Christmas shopping yet?  Well if you have not don't be ashamed I have not either.  I really have not figured yet what to give my oldest daughter.  She is eleven almost at the pre-teen difficult age, and want every unrealistic thing on her Christmas List.  I am almost at the giving up stage and striving to clothes and shoes.  Who little girl don't love shoes and clothes?  Even-though I have not got my Christmas shopping down yet, I do do have my Christmas breakfast, and dinner all planned out already.  Yep, I am a food-addict.  Despite my size, I love to cook, and of-course baking.I have about three desserts for breakfast and five already planned out.  I am so excited.  
    If you are looking for that perfect dessert for your family, friends, and guests, you should try this gingerbread yule log cake I made.

     Nothing beats ginger, molasses, cream cheese, and all the winter spices in this roll.  The even best part is frosting it with chocolate buttercream.  Yum!

Gingerbread Roll

Ingredients
5 large eggs, separated
1/2 cup molasses
2 tbsp. finely grated fresh ginger
3/4 cup cake flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground ginger
3/4 tsp cardamom
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp. unflavored gelatin
1 tbsp. cold water
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 tsp ground cimmamon
12 ounces creme fraiche
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cinnamon sticks
8 whole cloves
2 tbsp. dark rum
2 tbsp. apple cider
Confectioners sugar, for dusting

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°. Line a 12-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the egg yolks until pale, about 2 minutes. Add the molasses, 1/4 cup of the brown sugar and the fresh ginger and beat until combined. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, ground ginger, cardamom, black pepper and salt. Beat the dry ingredients into the egg yolk mixture until combined.
2. In a clean bowl, using clean beaters, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar and beat until firm and glossy. Fold the egg whites into the batter until no streaks remain. Spread the batter onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Bake for about 15 minutes, until lightly browned and firm to the touch. Transfer to a rack and let cool for 10 minutes.
3. Sprinkle the cake with the remaining 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Run the blade of a sharp knife around the edge of the pan. Cover the cake with a clean kitchen towel and top with a large cutting board. Holding the pan, towel and cutting board, invert the cake onto the cutting board. Remove the pan and carefully peel off the parchment paper. Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and let the gingerbread cool completely.
4. In a small microwave-safe bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water; let stand until softened, about 5 minutes. Microwave at high power until the gelatin is melted, about 10 seconds. In a clean bowl, beat the cream cheese with the cinnamon and melted gelatin until smooth. In another bowl, whip the crème fraîche with the confectioners' sugar until still. Fold the cream cheese into the crème fraîche.
5. Spread the filling evenly over the entire surface of the cake. Starting at a short end, roll up the cake jelly roll–style. Wrap the gingerbread roll tightly in plastic and refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours.
6. In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Add the remaining 1/3 cup of brown sugar and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Add the cinnamon sticks and cloves. Whisk in the rum and cider and remove from the heat. Let the butter-rum sauce steep for 1 hour. Discard the cinnamon sticks and cloves.
7. Unwrap the gingerbread roll and transfer it to a plate; dust lightly with confectioners' sugar. Cut into slices and bring to room temperature. Garnish the gingerbread roll per your preference and serve with the butter-rum sauce. 

Recipe adapted from Food and Wine