Chocolate Peppermint Log

Ingredients

1/4 cup powdered sugar
4 eggs, separated
1/2 cup and 1/3 cup Sugar, divided
... 1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup cocoa
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1/3 cup water

Peppermint filling (recipe follows)

1 cup whipping cream, cold
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup crushed hard peppermint candy or 1/2 tsp mint extract
optional: few drops of red food colouring

Chocolate glaze (recipe follows)

2 tbsp butter or margarine
2 tbsp cocoa
2 tbsp water
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract





Directions

Heat oven to 190C. Line a pan with foil; generously grease foil. Sprinkle linen or thin cotton towel with 1/4 cup powdered sugar.

Beat egg whites in large bowl on high speed of mixer until soft peaks form; gradually add 1/2 cup Sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Beat egg yolks and vanilla in medium bowl on medium speed 3 minutes. Gradually add remaining 1/3 cup Sugar; continue beating 2 additional minutes.

Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt; on low speed, add to egg yolk mixture alternately with water, beating just until batter is smooth. Using rubber spatula, gradually fold chocolate mixture into beaten egg whites until well blended. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.

Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly. Immediately loosen cake from edges of pan; invert on clean towel sprinkled with powdered sugar. Carefully peel off foil. Immediately roll cake in towel, starting from narrow end; place on wire rack to cool completely. Prepare peppermint filling. Carefully unroll cake; remove towel. Spread cake with filling; reroll cake. Glaze with chocolate glaze. Refrigerate until just before serving. Cover; refrigerate leftover dessert.

Peppermint filling (recipe follows)

Beat cold whipping cream in medium bowl until slightly thickened.

Add powdered sugar, and finely crushed hard peppermint candy or mint extract, and a few drops red food color, if desired; beat until stiff.

Chocolate glaze (recipe follows)

Melt butter in small saucepan over very low heat; add cocoa and water, stirring until smooth and slightly thickened.

Do not boil. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until smooth.

Makes about 3/4 cup glaze.